Snakeheads are hostile, resilient predators with a knack for destroying the environment. Fortunately, they taste great, and with one of the best snakehead lures below, catching them is a breeze.
We’ve done all the hard work trying out heaps of fishing lures to find the best snakehead lures available.
Choosing one of these best lures for snakehead will see you terminating plenty of these fish on your next outing!
Best Snakehead Lures – Reviews & Buying Guide
RUNCL Topwater Frog Lures
Product Overview
This RUNCL topwater lure is one of the best lures for snakehead as it is designed to look like a frog. And boy snakeheads love frogs!
The legs and body of the frog are made from soft, durable rubber, and it has 3D eyes that make it look super realistic. The versatile design of this lure also makes it great for targeting other species, such as bass and pike.
This topwater frog lure can be worked in many different ways to create different sounds and movements that will attract snakeheads. The pack consists of five individually different frog lures each perfect for use in different conditions.
Pros
- Excellent design & high-quality materials
- Realistic frog swimming action
- Versatile & able to be used on other species
- Weedless hook design
- Five differents designs in one pack to suit all conditions
Cons
- Only available in a pack of five
Croch Hollow Body Frog Lure
Product Overview
This is another great-looking frog lure.
The Croch Hollow Body Frog Lure is designed to look like a tasty snakehead snack. It’s a floating lure with weedless positioned hooks to the rear.
Perfect for targeting snakeheads that love waters with lots of foliage. It has a hollow and realistic body design and irresistible frog walking action.
Pros
- Excellent design & high-quality materials
- You get 18 in a pack – that’s value for money
- Weedless hook design
- Versatile & able to be used on other species
Cons
- All 18 lures are of a similar design
RUNCL Anchor Box Weedless Jig
Product Overview
The RUNCL Anchor Box is a weedless flipping jig lure.
It has a silicone skirt and weed guard so you can use it in shallow waters without worrying about getting tangled up in weeds. It’s great for rivers and ponds with vegetation where snakeheads love to hang out.
The 100-strand silicone skirt provides extra sensitivity so you can feel even the lightest of bites. It comes as a pack of four, each with a different colored skirt.
Pros
- Sensitive to the bite
- Weedless design
- Versatile & able to be used on other species
- Can be fished as a shallow or deep presentation
Cons
- Silicone shirts can be less durable than other lure materials
Sougayilang Buzz Bait
Product Overview
The Sougayilang Buzz Bait is one of the best snakehead lures as its vibrating design makes snakehead curious and entices them to strike.
It also features premium hooks that are super sharp and sturdy, which will ensure you don’t lose your catch. This buzz bait comes in a pack of four with different colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your surroundings.
It’s a great versatile topwater fishing lure that can be used for other species as well.
Pros
- Comes in four different colors
- Versatile & able to be used on other species
- Has a high quality hook
- Weedless design
Cons
- A buzz bait can be more difficult to use than some other snakehead lures
Z-Man ChatterBait
Product Overview
The Z-Man ChatterBait features a unique blade system that creates the perfect sound and vibration to attract fish. It also produces an erratic motion that mimics wounded baitfish.
Snakeheads are a predatory species that are attracted by the sound and vibrations this lure gives off. It also works great on many other species so its versatility makes it a must-have for any tackle box.
Pros
- Wide range of colors to choose from
- Weedless design
- Versatile & able to be used on other species
Cons
- The hooks are not as strong as on some other snakehead lures
TRUSCEND Multi Jointed Swimbaits
Product Overview
The Truscend Multi Jointed Swimbait is an ultra-life-like lure that is irresistible to predatory fish like snakeheads.
It’s made of high-quality materials and has a built-in rattle to provoke a feeding response. You will struggle to find a more life-like looking lure with its realistic 3D eyes and detailed powder coating.
This swimbait comes in different sizes and weights. It is a versatile lure suitable for targeting many other species such as bass, salmon, trout, perch & walleye.
Pros
- Wide range of colors to choose from
- Weedless design
- Versatile & able to be used on other species
- Nicely packaged so makes an excellent gift
Cons
- Wide range of colors to choose from
- Weedless design
- Versatile & able to be used on other species
Snakehead Fishing FAQs
What are Snakehead?
The Snakehead is a freshwater fish originating from parts of Asia and Africa. But in recent decades has found itself in the United States as an incredibly invasive species.
They are predatory fish of the perciform family and are characterized by their long, snake-like bodies and numerous soft-ray fins. Their dorsal fin is especially notable, running down the entirety of their backs.
Due to their destructive impact on the environment and their ability to travel across the land, there are no limitations on catching and keeping these fish. Many states have issued orders to kill these fish on site.
While it is quite similar to the bowfin fish, it can be distinguished by the long anal fin on its belly. These invasive water snakes were first seen in State waters back in 1977 when they appeared in a Californian lake. They have since spread across the nation (source).
How to Fish for Snakehead?
Snakeheads are alarmingly invasive, so they’re easy to catch, right? Well, sort of, but like catching any other fish, there are a few things to consider:
● Rod Type
What kind of rod do you use for snakehead? When fishing for Snakeheads, you’re going to want to use a heavy type of fishing rod with fast action. This means that the tip won’t bend as much, making it ideal for larger fish like the Snakehead, which can grow well over 2 feet.
● Fishing Spots
The best spots to fish for snakeheads are shallow, slow-moving waters with a lot of foliage in and around it. Creeks, ponds, and swamps are typically the places that best meet these conditions.
● Line Type
Snakeheads are aggressive fish, and reeling them in is very similar to reeling in bass. You’re going to want to avoid monofilament lines and go for a heavy-duty type of fishing line that can take a lot of tension, such as braided lines. Keep in mind that since snakeheads like plant-dense waters, you’re also going to be fighting with snags and weeds.
Replace your line regularly. Make sure you spool your reel correctly by using a fishing line spooler. Whether you’re looking to spend a lot or a little, the key to selecting a fishing line spooler is to choose a model that applies appropriate tension to the line as you’re spooling it onto your reel. Tension ensures that the line coils onto the reel tightly and evenly, so you’re ready for anything the water throws at you.
● Bait Type
Since snakeheads are predatory fish, they have keen eyesight and are extremely sensitive to movement. That said, medium-sized bait works best.
● Casting
The most important thing to note before casting is your presence. The Snakehead has excellent eyesight and is extremely skittish. So any loud sounds or sudden movements may scare away potential catches. Prevent this by treading lightly and quietly before casting.
The best place to cast is in shallow, murky waters with a lot of brush around it. Try choosing spots that would be ideal for predators to ambush prey.
Finally, once you’ve made a catch, it’s best to move on from that spot. Snakeheads don’t group up, and the violent splashing of catching one most likely scared any other snakeheads away from that area.
When to Fish for Snakehead?
You can fish for snakeheads any time of the year as they do not have a season for catching them. That being said, they are typically more active during the summer and swim closer to the surface.
This makes it the ideal time to use snakehead lures to see them fully in action.
What Type of Lures do Snakehead like?
Snakeheads are carnivorous and go after anything that moves – quite similar to the predatory habits of the bass. There are a few types of lures that fishermen have determined to be the best lures for snakehead:
● Topwater frog lures
● Spinners
● Popper lures
● Buzzbaits
*Note: try to find “weedless” versions of these lures as the best snakehead spots are infested with weed and drag.
Topwater Frog Lures
The most popular type of lure for snakeheads is topwater frog lures. These are especially effective due to their frog-like movements and appearance (frogs and tadpoles are a large part of the snakehead’s diet).
These frog lures are typically made to mimic the jumping of a frog and provoke topwater strikes.
Spinners
Like the topwater frog lure, spinnerbaits are used to imitate movement via spinning to attract fish.
Since snakeheads are heavy-duty fish, you’re going to want to avoid smaller spinners such as rooster tails. Go for larger ones that are made for catching bass.
Buzzbaits
This type of lure functions similar to that of a spinner, except it, makes a buzzing sound when reeled in. This sound creates a trail of bubbly vibrations that provokes snakehead bites.
A general rule of thumb is that the louder the sound is, the better it is for attracting aggressive fish. Louder sounds can also be useful for overcoming windy days.
Poppers
Poppers are lures that mimic the movements of struggling prey to lure in predators. Topwater frogs can be considered a type of popper, though poppers come in many different varieties, such as fish and bugs. A nice medium to large-sized popper is most suitable for catching snakeheads.
What States are Good for Snakehead Fishing?
Snakeheads have been sighted in many parts of America. But the most snakehead-dense states are Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Delaware, and New Jersey. Specifically in the Potomac and Delaware rivers. These are the best states for snakehead fishing.
There have also been sightings of snakeheads in Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, and California. Certain areas in these states may also be good for snakehead fishing.
Why are Snakehead Bad?
What makes the Snakehead even more formidable is its adaptability to different climates and its ability to breathe air. This means that they can travel short distances across land and infest other bodies of water.
If left unchecked, the Snakehead could utterly devastate many ecosystems across America. This is why various state governments have issued numerous restrictions and laws around these fish.
All the more reason to get out catching snakehead with one of these best snakehead lures discussed in this article.
