A curtain of rain welcomed the opening of the Commander’s Snakehead Fishing Tournament at 3 p.m. aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on June 7, 2013.
The challenge to land the prize prey was limited to a 24-hour hunt over the Quantico Creek, Chopawamsic Creek and Potomac River and was accepted by a score of teams.
“We want people to realize the resources we have here on Quantico,” said Maj. Russell Strange, Deputy of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs. “This event exposes the great fishing and boat launches located aboard base and gives people the chance to get outside.”
Forty competitors braved the elements to participate in the first annual tournament, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, primarily aimed at catching snakehead fish.
While its adaptations to the Virginia habitat are not completely clear, including their breeding and dietary behaviors, the snakehead breed is still being observed, recorded and are multiplying.
“It’s a ferocious animal,” said Strange. “But it tastes great.”
“When it was first introduced, snakeheads were thought to be killers of other fish,” said Daniel Hensley, U.S. conservation law enforcement investigator. “It doesn’t kill like was thought. It has been adapting [to the habitat.]”
Fishing was open to rod and reel or archery tackle methods and contestants fished from shore, used personal boats or rented canoes or kayaks from Marine Corps Community Services.
Saturday turned out to be a drier day with the conclusion of the event including: contests, exhibits, demonstrations, live music and food. Winners of the tournament received various prizes including fishing gear and gift cards.
“We would especially like to thank Judy Nonken, recreation/retail employee at Lunga Park, for her phenomenal job with the planning of this event,” said Euel Tritt, chief conservation law enforcement officer. “Without her this event would not have happened.”
These participants won the prize for the following categories:
Individual Adult with the Most Pounds of Fish Overall: Victor Lenske, Marine Science student at the University of South Carolina with 11 pounds of Catfish.
Individual Minor with the Most Pounds of Fish: Aaron, 9, with approximately 11 pounds of Catfish.
Team with the Largest Snakehead: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Stephen Morse, Janette Freitas, Elbert Woodall and Dennis Capel with 10.18 pounds of Snakehead.
Team with the Most Weight: Ironwoods, Sgt. Maj. Robert Breeden, Daniel Breeden, Christopher Smith and Andrew Yopp with 254 pounds of fish.
Adult/Team with the Largest Fish: Chasing Tail, Jesse Keatts and Brian Harper, with 29 pounds of Carp.
Minor with the Largest Fish: Aaron, 9, with 5.5 pounds of Catfish.
Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil