Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem like a snappers M.O. is to sit in deep holes for long periods seeing as how the breathe air. If you scope out the area first for half an hour or so, it seems like you should be fine.
Noodlin'
- Thread starter Camshaft Ramrod
- Start date
dominicolas;2477364; said:
Not true at all. Common and especially ally snappers are very very elusive, it would be impossibl to sit and watch and declare a hole snapper free based on that.
JD7.62;2477413; said:
I'm just saying, I've seen my fair share of snappers, and it seems to me like they generally chill in some plants well hidden, not in a deep hole. All turtles will sit either out of the water or at least with their heads out, until provoked. Then they will dive, coming up periodically for air. Also, I'll declare whatever the hell I want.
dominicolas;2477364; said:
Maybe not always in a deep hole, but they do sit around with their mouths agape wiggling the pink bit on their tongue to attract fish. You can declare otherwise, but this is a proven fact.
noodlin is all fine and good but y dont they release these flatheads i mean these fish are up to spawn and lay there eggs and you catch and keep them taking away future genarations of fish 
. There should be size limits and it should be closed during spawning season, anthing over 10 pounds should be released.
. There should be size limits and it should be closed during spawning season, anthing over 10 pounds should be released.Alligator snappers definitely sit tight in holes under logs, root masses, or other cover; juveniles frequently burrow into mud. I've worked on a few research projects with these guys, and they are pretty consistent in this behavior. Stinkpots are also commonly found in these sites.
Common snappers are more apt to prowl, but you can certainly run into them while noodling. Both species can spend extended periods without surfacing, especially in cool water; even when they do surface they often only poke the nostrils above the water's surface, making it difficult to spot them.
MST- flathead and other big catfish populations are not considered to be in any danger in the few states where noodling is legal. In any case noodlers are a tiny fraction of those taking these fish; trotliners and commercial fishermen take the bulk of them.
Common snappers are more apt to prowl, but you can certainly run into them while noodling. Both species can spend extended periods without surfacing, especially in cool water; even when they do surface they often only poke the nostrils above the water's surface, making it difficult to spot them.
MST- flathead and other big catfish populations are not considered to be in any danger in the few states where noodling is legal. In any case noodlers are a tiny fraction of those taking these fish; trotliners and commercial fishermen take the bulk of them.
Look at the salmon for example what over fishing has done to them, whos to say this wont happen to the flatheads in a few years, now true noodling dosnt take most of the fish but all the metods combined do take alot of fish, only time will tell. flatheads are a tougher fish and a adapt easyer
We definitely need to keep this in mind with all fished species, but I think flatheads are safe. They do not have anything like the fishing pressure that salmon are subjected to, nor have their spawning sites been blocked off or damaged like those of salmon.
Now snapping turtles- there are species that needs more careful regulation. Slow growth to maturity and low reproduction rate spell U-N-S-U-S-T-A-I-N-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y.
Now snapping turtles- there are species that needs more careful regulation. Slow growth to maturity and low reproduction rate spell U-N-S-U-S-T-A-I-N-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y.
MultispeciesTamer;2483946; said:noodlin is all fine and good but y dont they release these flatheads i mean these fish are up to spawn and lay there eggs and you catch and keep them taking away future genarations of fish
LoL, flatheads are FAR from being over fished. Its amazing how just about everywhole you stick your hand in there is a flattie sitting in it. Besides the total harvest for flatheads from noodlin is probably less then 1%. It aint hurting their population one bit!
