Fishing for snakehead fish in rice fields is one of the most exciting experiences I’ve had. Snakeheads are aggressive predators, known for their explosive strikes and powerful fights. Rice fields may look calm and shallow, but they’re actually perfect hiding spots for these fish.
In this article, I’ll share how I catch snakehead fish in rice fields—covering bait, gear, and techniques that work best.
Choosing the Right Gear
For snakehead fishing in rice fields, I use:
- Rod & Reel: Light-Medium spinning rod paired with a Shimano reel (strong enough for aggressive strikes).
- Line: Braided line (20–30 lb test) for strength and sensitivity.
- Hooks: Strong single hooks to handle the snakehead’s powerful jaws.
Braided line works best because rice fields have a lot of grass, weeds, and obstacles where snakeheads can hide. We can also use flourocarbon as a leader to prevent getting stuck with the grass or rice.
Best Bait for Snakehead in Rice Fields
Snakeheads love hunting on the surface. The most effective bait I’ve used is:
- Live frog – the top choice; the movement triggers explosive bites. A live frog will have a greater chance of getting bitten than a frog lure. The frog should not be bigger than a thumb because snakeheads in rice fields are mostly not full-grown.
- Frog lures – hollow-body frog lures work well when live bait isn’t available.
For the Spoon and spinner lure, it is not recommended for this type of fishing.
Spotting Snakehead in Rice Fields
Snakeheads often stay near shallow water with:
- Thick grass and weeds
- Small channels between rice plants
- Open patches where they can ambush prey
When I see ripples, splashes, or bubbles, I know a snakehead is nearby. Snakeheads are ambush predators, so they wait for prey under water plants.
My Technique to Catch Snakehead
- Cast the bait near cover (grass edges, shallow spots).
- Wait patiently—snakeheads often watch before striking.
- Reel slowly with pauses to make the frog look alive.
- When the snakehead strikes, wait a second before setting the hook. This gives the fish time to grab the bait fully. When we use a live frog, the hook will attach to the frog’s head. We need to wait for this reason.
The fight is always intense—the snakehead thrashes hard and tries to dive into cover. That’s when strong gear really matters.
Why Rice Fields Are Great for Snakehead
- Shallow, warm water makes snakeheads active.
- Plenty of natural food (frogs, small fish, insects).
- Easy to spot surface activity.
- During the rainy season, snakehead fish migrate from lakes or rivers to rice fields.
Please see the video below for more real snakehead fishing experience.
snakehead fishing at rice fields – ទៅបបក់ត្រីនៅជិតកៀនស្វាយជាមួយបង @Phearinnop
YouTube Chapters
0:00 – We arrive fishing spot at Kean Svay
2:55 – Snakehead fishing
7:10 – Catch and cook snakehead fish
19:30 – catch a snakehead fish
