They Bite First and Think Later

Amirul, a young up and coming fishing personality in his own right, quoted me in his latest snakehead fishing article in the May 2016 issue of Rod & Line magazine.

I cannot recall specifically when and under what circumstances I made the remark “They bite first and think later”.

Snakehead Fever

I am however, certain I said that in my heyday of striped snakehead fishing because I sure indulged in plenty of that.

The statement is so true when it comes to the striped snakehead. Also known as the common snakehead or local name, haruan.

This fish will hammer anything you put in front of it, big or small. Because of that trait, I’ve always felt the haruan is the perfect freshwater sport-fish in Malaysia and possibly the region. But I feel it has never earned the title it deserves in that respect. It is probably looked at and targeted by most as a more of a food fish.

Candidate for Top-Freshwater Sport-Fish

The haruan may not win any beauty pageant or heavyweight contest but they have all the other qualities that put it high on the list of top freshwater sport-fish.

• The haruan grows to a respectable size of 3kg (6.6lb) in the wild – I’ve seen pond bred ones almost double that weight
• The haruan is receptive to any bait or lure, of almost any size – They are usually not choosy
• They fight hard and live in snaggy waters
• It is also super tough and resilient – Because of that they can be found almost anywhere
• It is also the perfect fish to introduce a beginner to wild fishing

It’s downfall is perhaps the eating quality it possesses making it a preferred food fish in Southeast Asia. Having said that, poor eating qualities have not stopped many anglers from killing their catch. Plus the healing properties mumbo-jumbo the humble haruan possesses doesn’t help its high profile status.

Keep On Casting

Well done, Amirul. Reading your article and looking at your pictures make me feel like going out to harass some haruan. Carry on fishing and writing.

Now where is that favourite haruan stick, that Fenwick rod of mine?!