DIY Buzz Baits for Giant Snakehead

Channa Micropeltes (Toman) is one of the largest species of snakeheads. It can reach up to 1.5 meters in length and can grow up to 20kg. It is native to Southeast Asia particularly near the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia. I don't believe it is a native specie in the Philippines. The first encounter with this fish and my first ever catch was around 10 years ago in Lakeshore's man-made lake in Mexico, Pampanga in Central Luzon. They were basically pets in the lake to attract weekend anglers.

Since then, the fish has spread to many parts in Pampanga and even up to Nueva Ecija, further up north of Luzon - perhaps intentionally released or maybe by accident through flooding. Nonetheless, they are now widespread and have grown in population as well as sizes. The biggest so far (that was caught by recreational anglers) was 10kg plus. (The IGFA world record is around 13.6kg from Malaysia.) They are now living in the wild and spawning aggressively and taking over their new habitats. After 10 years, I am quite certain that there are monsters out there --- 15 to 20kg fish. Quite honest, it is a tragedy for local fishermen but a cause for excitement for recreational anglers.

If you have tried fishing for these monsters, you will know that they are practically lure and tackle killers. They are friends of tackle-shops because after just one sizable fish, you can bet your bottom that your brand spanking new lure will be destroyed and if you are not careful, they will break your precious rods. My biggest catch in past was 4kg plus fishes in the confined pond of Lakeshore. I was using a Medium Heavy baitcast setup with 20lb braid and 30lb leader. Though tomans love loud topwater lures, e fight was ok and felt just like big largemouth bass when hooked. The preferred lure was buzz baits and loud knocking WTD lures.

Just recently, I was able to fish a secret not so secret wild Toman spot. The area was a huge marsh with lots of deep open water and lots of vegetation- perfect Toman habitat. I brought a slightly heavier toman tackle. I upgraded the line to 30lbs and the leader to 40 and used a Heavy 15-30 7ft baitcast rod from Graphiteleader. I brought a few brand new buzz baits and prop baits because I heard that these were the hottest toman lures for that area. Just after 15 minutes of casting my prop bait near the edge of the bank, I got an explosive strike and pulled drag from my Daiwa Fuego BC like it's just a UL spinning reel. The first run startled me and by instinct, I held the spool to stop the fish. It fled underneath the boat and pulled so hard that the rod tip got pulled underneath the boat. The last thing I heard was a loud crack of my precious Graphiteleader. Just after 15 minutes of fishing, the fish took my new lure, broke my Heavy rod, and it shattered my ego.  I had to go home. I did not bring a backup rod at that time.

The following day, I decided to return for round 2. I brought a couple of MH rods - A short MH Shimano Scorpion BC rod and a 6ft Lakeforce Stage MH BC rod. I also brought new prop lures and upgraded the hooks to #1 Owner ST046.  I was able to get a lot of hookups but they often get unbuttoned. A lot of the owner hooks got bent when they spin just near the boat.  These tomans are absolute fighters. Maybe because they are well fed and have a lot of exercise. They fight really hard compared to their Lakeshore cousins. After half a day, I only managed to land a small one.

After that trip, I decided to make my own lures. They have to be loud and their hooks should be huge Definitely either buzzbaits or propbaits. Because we can't source propbait hardware locally, I decided to make my own buzzbaits. I used the heavy wires from old Japanese surf sinkers. I had a few old buzzbait blades and made double bladed buzz baits for that extra noise.  One tip if you decide to build one, make sure the blades are counter-rotating. Don't use blades that rotate on the same direction. For trailer, I used a huge punching jig and attached a soft plastic. For the other one, I attached a 65mm weedless frog so I can cast to heavy vegetation.

The following weekend, I went back to the fishing spot with the new handmade lures. They cast great and they were relatively weedless. The absolute best thing was that they are loud and the tomans love them. After 5 hours of fishing, I managed to hook maybe 8 or 10 fish and landed 4. I wasn't able to catch the 10kg up snakehead but who knows, maybe on my next trip. Until then, I need to make some modifications on my lures. I need stronger hooks, heavier leader, and more practice.

Lakeshore Second Cast (for Toman/Giant Snakehead)

I went to Lakeshore this morning to try and catch a Toman or Giant Snakehead (Channa Micropeltes). I got there just a little past 6am and the first light is just starting to appear. As soon as I got out of the car, I hurriedly rigged my rod and reel and fumbled tying on my favorite red head. Tying on a lure without a head light was really challenging.

I decided to start at the Lakeshore office. I had planned to work the edges of the docks. This is where I got my 4kg during my last visit. When I got there, two of Lakeshore's staff were already up and sipping coffee. On my first cast near the launch, the tilapias got spooked. I think something got my lure's attention and when it moved, the tilapias stayed out of sight.

Second cast, a twitch and then a big swirl engulfed my lure. It was fish on. I knew from the first run, it was a biggie. It made a couple more runs but it was no match with a Zillion on carbontex. The fight lasted for about 1 minute. Heavy rod, heavy line, and locked drag paid off. Lip-gripped the Toman (Giant Snakehead) and asked one of the Lakeshore  staff for a photo. We then weighed it using their scale. 5kg on second cast. It was a nice start. The only drawback was that the staff requested that I leave the fish in the aquarium. My last 4kg fish was still there. I sure hope they release them eventually.

Upon inspection of the lure, one of the trebles snapped. It was an Owner stinger #2. I quickly replaced the damaged hook and went on fishing.

No action on topwater for about an hour. I decided to change to a Booyah spinner. When I got to the other end of the pond, I got another toman using the Booyah spinner. Probably 3kg. After a quick photo, I released the fish.

By 10am, I drove around Mexico and then to San Simon to scout for water. No luck as most of the water had dried up. By 11am, I was driving back home.

Lakeshore Toman

On my way to Subic for the New Year holiday, I decided to pass by Lakeshore to get re-acquainted with the resident Tomans. It was almost 8am when I got there. I started at the far end of the lake hoping the late feeders will still be there at that time. No luck. Not only was it late, but also the water was quite low at that side. At around 9am, the sun was already bright and scorching hot, I decided to walk back towards the other end of the lake so I could pay my entrance fee and get some ice cream and coke.

To my surprise, Jiggs and Ahmed and his guests were there as well. Jiggs was helping out Ahmed to catch his first Toman while Ahmed was helping his guests catch bangus. After exchanging a few laughs and stories, we went back fishing. Lucky for me, Jiggs shared his secret spot. Being a true addict, I wasted no time casting at the side of the bank. After 15 minutes, a huge explosion under my 5-inch red head popper.  Probably 3kg. It was a nice fight on a popper. Jiggs and Ahmed helped me land and photograph the fish. After a short while, we released it back to the lake.

Soon after, Jiggs went home for some errands while Ahmed and company decided to transfer to Apalit so his guests can enjoy some pangasius action.

Me, I walked towards the Lakeshore office to pay my fee. But before paying, I decided to cast some more. Just under the dock, a big momma lunged at my red head. It missed the lure by a few inches but I think it touched the hard body lure because after trying a few more times, it just didn't make any attempt after.

I changed lures and used a big Booyah spinner courtesy of Lagriffe. On the third cast, the momma took the lure and dove under the dock. It's a good thing I was using a 50lb braid and 40lb leader. Even when the line wraped around the pilings under the dock, I was able to pull the fish out. It was 4kg. The photo did not give the fish justice. It has a live bait hook sticking on its side. According to the lakeshore employees, someone foul hooked it a week ago. A salvage fisherman perhaps. The fish did the same tactic and dove under the dock and broke the fisherman's line.

At around 10, I went to McDonalds for a late breakfast and then drove off to Subic.

Lakeshore Field EB [3-28-2010]

As a continuation of the last Field EB at Coloong and to welcome our friends from overseas, we went to Lakeshore for some Toman action. We started really early at around 5am and caught some nice sized fishes. All in all, the trip was excellent.

Gil caught a nice sized Haruan. Kenny, who is a first timer in Toman fishing and snakehead fishing, got a 2.5 kg Toman after his third cast!JB caught another nice sized Toman so as Erwin. 


I got around six strikes from biggies and one from a possible Momma toman. The wake it left was huge. The fish did not connect when it chomped the lure. Instead, its head bumped the lure which it sent flying to a good distance from the strike zone.

Anyway, I managed to catch one (28 inches 3.81kg) but at the cost of a brand new lure. The Toman's tooth punched a hole into the lure and flooded the lure body. It also broke one of the hook points and straightened the other point on one of the trebles. It's a good thing the last remaining hook point held. 

Lakeshore and Coloong [3-7-2010]

Went to Lakeshore with my cousin this morning. I was hoping to test my new 2nd hand toys :D.

After 15 minutes of casting, I got one. It was a pretty strong fish and it's fast runs tested the rod and reel.

An hour passed and I caught another but never had the chance to take a picture. It's the same size as the first one. When I was trying to lip grip it, the damn fish won't open its mouth. I had to hold the leader to lift its head. I was hoping that when I give it a short pull, the fish will open its mouth so I can lip grip it. Unfortunately, when I lifted its head, the fish rolled and the hooked pulled out. Oh well, it's meant to be released anyway.

Lesson learned! I have lost a lot of fish because of the lip grip. I think it's about time I get a decent net.

By 8:30am, there's no more fish activity. It was probably too hot for the fish.

After a quick rest, we drove to Coloong to get some bangus and tilapia. We went straight to Aling Nene's. IT was full of people. Apparently, this morning was also the re-opening of the pond. Aling Nene gave everyone a complimentary fishing shirt.  :clap:

My original target was bangus but the water looks really full of dalag. So, rigged a soft plastic and casted on the pond's edges. I got rewarded with nice fat dalag which can easily reach 2kg.

So I took a couple of pics and was not satisfied with the shots. I tried to fix the "arrangement" of the fish, lure, and rod/reel to get a better picture. I grabbed the lure to to adjust the fish --- and then the fish jumped! And jumped once more until it reached the water. Dang! it got away and I wasn't able to get the exact weight. Anyway, at least I got a couple of pics.

Lakeshore 12-27-09

I passed by Lakeshore on my way to Manila from Zambales this morning. I met up with fellow anglers Alan, Obet, Bien, Carlo at around 6:30am. It was a fun and relaxed fishing day. First to catch was Obet who caught a nice sized Toman at around 1.5kg. After that, Alan hooked up to a dalag. After half an hour, Carlo came back to our original spot near the fountain. He was working on the opposite side of the lake. He hooked a biggie but lost it when the leader snapped.

Anyway, we transferred to the other side to check if there were other hungry tomans there. I managed to hook and land one using my fave lure. It's a 3.35kg. Not the lola or lolo toman (above 6kg) I was hoping to catch but the fight was fun.

Lakeshore Quickie [12-20-09]

Originally, me and my cousin were supposed to go there but we called it off because we got drunk last night, or so I thought. I woke up 4am and I wasn't able to go back to sleep. I decided to push with the original plan. So I packed my stuff and a couple of baitcasters and went. Anyway, I deserved a fishing break after the long stressful week. I didn't call my cousin or other anglers who might be interested. It was too early and I will be there for only about a couple of hours.

The first catch is about 1 to 1.5kg.

The second one is very good sized Kuya Toman :D . 3.38kg. It was a fast swimmer and keeps peeling line from my Revo SX. I think it is a male because of the coloration --- bluish purple. When I was trying to remove the hook. The critter bit my thumb :D.

The third is a 1.6kg and was also a great fighter.

All in all, i had 6 hookups. 3 break-offs and 3 landed. There was a big one--- it could be bigger than a mama toman as it destroyed my lure. It literally shattered the tail hook. It now has a treble hook nose ring. It could be a lolo or lola toman.

It was a nice trip all in all. To top the catches, Lakeshore staff did not charge me. IT was their Openhouse today. Free fishing and I was even treated to barbeque and grilled hotdog. Nice!

Finally, A Mama Toman!

We heard that the tomans are getting active so we (Me, my cousin JB, Mikko and RC) decided to head off to Lakeshore early this morning. I wasn't able to sleep really. I kept imagining hooking up a mama toman for sooo long. I was able to catch a number of juvie tomans but I didn't seem to feel satisfied. I really wanted to hook, photograph, and release a mama toman.

Mikko, JB, and RC starting casting as soon as they got off the pickup. Me, I was left behind. I was struggling to rig my two Revo casting combo. On the first attempt, the line didn't pass through the reel's line guide. I had to redo both reels. I was soo annoyed. While my companions were busy casting and changing lures, I was still rigging.

But, luck is on my side. On my second cast --- seriously --- the second cast --- while I was still getting the feel of the reel and the lure, there was a huge explosive strike! On instinct, I set the hook. I knew it was big. When it peeled line from my Revo Inshore, I knew I hooked the mama toman! But oh men! we forgot the landing net. I had to wade into the water so I can reach the fish with my lip grip. I wasn't going to lose it. It was amazing. I made short strong runs and when you gain line and when the fish is almost within reach, it will give a quick burst of speed. Too bad, it was no match to my GoodCatchFishing combo (Fenwick HMG- Revo Inshore - Sufix Superior Leader - Sufix Matrix pro braid) combo. :D

It was a 5.7kg mama with muscle and it is still out there for other anglers to try and capture.

We took a few photos, quickly weighed, and then released it.

I went around the lake and fished some more. It was amazing. Luck was really on my side. I landed three more. A couple of 1kg+ and one that might hit 2kg.

When I thought the lucky streak was over, I went over to the dock near the Lakeshore office. I casted and casted around the dock. After half an hour of casting and retrieving, something struck from almost under the wooden piling. Another big mama. I knew it was big from the very first run it made. I fought it for around ten minutes. I wanted to get down the water so I can land it but I chickened out because the spot is near the dock, the water might be deeper. I didn't have a landing net. All I have is a short lip grip. The Lakeshore crew saw the commotion and one of them ran to the back of the office to get their landing net. Unfortunately, they cannot find their net.

Oh men! the fish was huge. It is not as fat as the first mama but it was longer. It can easily reach 5kg. With no other choice, i grabbed the leader hoping to lift the head near enough so i can grip the mouth. But dang! the lure came of when the fish made a quick roll! Anyway, at least I got to take a look at its size. :rofl:

Mikko also got a couple of nice sized Tomans using a Buzzbait.

JB got another but was not able to take a picture as his phone's battery got drained.

All in all it was an awesome trip. Short but sweet! :D

Lakeshore Pampanga [8-30-09]

I think this was my fifth attempt at catching Lakeshore's Giant Snakehead (Toman). On previous attempts, I never even got a solid strike. Today, I got lucky (in a way). Twelve-times lucky :-). I managed to hook 11 baby Tomans and 1 mama Toman. But, I only landed seven (7). The mama Toman got away after a couple of short hard runs. The hook of the swimbait failed to set properly. Well, at least I was able to get a glimps of its back and it was huge maybe 6 to 7 kilos.

Three (3) tomans caught using topwater frog. After so many strikes from baby tomans, my frog is now full of cuts and holes from the baby toman's sharp teeth leaving it unusable because it started to sink.

These four were caught using Berkley swimming pogy with Bong's spinner arm.

And the biggest is probaby 3/4 kilo. It's already showing the Toman stripes.

The pogies were also not spared. After the outing, the tomans destroyed four pogies.

All Tomans were released.

I am definitely going back there for the mama toman --- soon.