Surprise sighting today in the Patuxent

[whenican]

A beautiful day getting skunked on the Patuxent & watching bald eagles but my fishing buddy saw 2
snakeheads in the shallow water. The last one I caught/saw was in mid-september. I am surprised!

[Romo]

Are there bowfin in there? They are active in the winter

[whenican]

I suppose that's a possibility. He did see it in shallow sun-drenched area. We have never
Heard of anyone catching a bowfin on the Patuxent, though that's on my bucket list to do in 2015.
I hear you fish for em like you would gar...no hook needed, just some rope.

[Turtle135]

It looks like they are a few bowfin in the system...

http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/marine_i..._cbfishes.aspx

...but they could have been snakeheads as well. What I have read is that snakeheads will move to slightly deeper (water 5-7 feet), bury themselves in cover and become largely inactive (but not completely inactive).

[Romo]

I really doubt there would be snakeheads swimming around in any water at or below 55ish degrees. I always start fishing for them too early and only catch bass and bowfin for a few trips in the spring before I actually see snakeheads. It usually stays very slow until the water hits 70. I suppose anything is possible, though

I have had may sightings of bowfin swimming in pairs/groups and they will definitely take cut bait in the winter so I'd get back out there with some cut sunfish or something!