How to Catch Northern Snakehead in Maryland

Tips, Tides, and Tactics from My Personal Experience

Hello Fellow Anglers!

Today, I want to talk about how to catch Northern Snakehead in Maryland.

First off, snakehead have spread across many bodies of water throughout the state. One of the most well-known hotspots is the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Unlike their native habitats in Asia, Maryland’s snakehead seem to have adapted to local conditions and have even developed the ability to move freely between fresh and brackish water. Because of this, they can now be found in many areas around the Chesapeake Bay.

With so many of them out there, you might be wondering—why do so many anglers still say they’re hard to catch?

The answer lies in their behavior. Snakehead don’t act like the bass we’re used to targeting. That’s why many traditional bass fishing tactics just don’t work on them. In the rest of this blog, I’ll share some of my personal experiences and tips on how I’ve been successful in catching these elusive fish.

1. Tides Matter

If you're fishing for snakehead in tidal waters, understanding how tides affect their behavior is key. In my experience, different tide stages call for different types of lures.

For example, the SVT Snakehead Candy is an excellent choice during low tide. As the water level drops, more underwater structure becomes exposed, making it crucial to use a lure that can navigate through tight cover and complex terrain with ease. That’s where the Snakehead Candy really shines—it’s built for those tricky spots.

On the other hand, higher tides not only bring in more baitfish, but they also give snakehead a greater sense of security due to the deeper water. This is when they tend to feed more aggressively and strike with less hesitation. If you happen to catch them chasing bait during these conditions, the SVT Strikeblade becomes a deadly option. The flashing blade mimics the frantic movement of fleeing baitfish, triggering powerful reaction strikes from hungry snakehead.

2. The Wind & Weather Factor

In all my years of targeting snakehead, one thing has become clear—windy days make catching them a lot harder.

It’s not just because casting becomes more difficult in strong wind. The choppy water surface makes snakehead reluctant to come up to feed. These fish are extremely cautious ambush predators, and rough surface conditions make them feel exposed and vulnerable. On top of that, it becomes nearly impossible for us anglers to spot the telltale bubbles that snakehead release when they surface to breathe—a key sign many of us rely on to locate them.

Weather matters too—especially cloud cover. Overcast days are often ideal for snakehead fishing. The lower light levels give snakehead more confidence to come out of cover and feed aggressively near the surface. You’ll often see more blow-ups and strikes when the sun is hidden behind the clouds.

So in my opinion, if it’s blowing hard and the skies are clear, it’s probably not the best day to go snakehead hunting. But if it’s calm and cloudy—you’re in for a good shot.

3. Timing the Hookset

Snakehead are aggressive predators. Once they decide to strike, they open their mouths wide in an instant, creating a powerful suction that pulls the bait straight in. That’s why, during a blow-up, they often inhale the entire lure.

Our job is to wait for the moment when they’ve fully taken the bait. Some anglers like to count a few seconds in their head before setting the hook—it’s a safe and often effective method. But in my case, I usually go by feel and observation.

As soon as I see the fish has fully committed and taken the lure in, I don’t wait—I slam the rod straight up. Boom! Fish on.

In Summary

If you’re planning a snakehead trip, here’s my checklist for a successful day:

  • Check the tides – Make sure the timing matches your bait and approach

  • Look for overcast conditions – Cloudy days often trigger more surface activity

  • Avoid high winds – Calm water gives you better visibility and better odds

If all three line up, then congratulations—you’ve got a high chance of hooking into one of these beasts.

Good luck out there, and tight lines!