

The striped snakehead is a species in the Asian Channa genus which is part of the widely spread Chanidae Family. The Striped snakehead (Channa striata) is one of three main snakehead species found in Thailand. The dorsal surface and sides of the fish are dark and mottled with a combination of black and ochre. Its Belly is white. Its large scaled head is where it gets its name as it is very reminiscent of a snakes head. All Snakeheads have deep and wide gaping mouths full of sharp teeth used for disabling and holding prey items.

Despite being very common throughout Thailand it is still not a simple task to catch s good specimen on rod and line. They are very wiley and cautious fish but can also be overly aggressive and attack without forethought. The only thing that is predictable about fishing for them is that they are totally unpredictable (This applies for all species of snakeheads). A sure bet for catching any size of striped snakehead would be worm fished free-lined on light ledger or float rig, although very effective other fish such as climbing perch, featherback and tilapia will most probably also take the bait. The most fun and exciting tactic is to use for snakehead fishing in Thailand is topwater lures such as small rubber or plastic frogs and buzzbaits.


Locals will target snakehead mainly as a food fish and even half pounders are prized. Methods for capture include nets, all kinds of fish traps, long lines and bamboo sticks plunged into the ground baited with baby crabs, baby climbing perch, grubs, molluscs or grasshoppers. A popular method for many is a car battery made mobile with a strap and half an oil can as a pack, which is then hooked up to two wire attached to long metal prods with wooden/tape handles. A stalking method is used as the hunter wades through rice fields and flooded plains prodding/shocking the thick brown water and everything within range. Snakehead fish, eels, frogs, water fowl, lizards and snakes are all stunned in this way and pulled out by hand from the thick vegetation and promptly put in the keep-net.