Throughout much of the county, bullheads are one of the most popular summer targets for anglers. They are abundant, easy to catch and taste great, making them a favorite for anglers of all ages.
Although catching bullheads is relatively easy compared to other fish species, there are some tips to follow that will help you catch more bullheads this summer. Here are 5 things to remember:
Best baits
Bullheads are not particularly picky feeders. They will eat just about anything that is food, but there are some bait choices that work better than others.
One of the best bullhead baits is a nightcrawler. Bullheads love them and will eagerly attack them. Other top baits include worms, chicken liver, dough balls, cheese and even sliced up hot dogs.
Bottom fishing
One of the keys to successful bullhead fishing is keeping your bait at or near the bottom. This is where bullheads spend most of their time.
The best way to present your bait is to use a sliding sinker to keep your bait at the bottom. The sliding sinker is important, because if you use split shot or some other form of stationary weight, the bullhead will feel the weight when it takes the bait and is more likely to reject it. The sliding sinker will allow the line to pass through, without resistance.
Another way to present your bait is with a bobber or float. Make sure to use a light-weight, streamlined float that will offer little resistance when the bullhead takes your bait.
Waiting game
One of the biggest factors in missing a bullhead that takes your bait, is trying to set the hook to soon. When you feel the tug from a bullhead or see your bobber start to move, count to three before trying to set the hook. Make sure the fish has fully taken the bait and you are likely to hook more bullheads.
Day or night
You can catch bullheads at any time, day or night, but the best time to catch them is during low-light hours. The times just after sunset and just before sunrise are some of the best times. Bullheads feed more heavily in the dark, yet they do feed during the day. Some of the best daylight bullhead fishing can be found in exceptionally murky water.
Where to fish
Bullheads prefer stationary water, so avoid areas with any type of current. They will usually be found in water less than 10 feet deep and often in only a few feet of water. There they will be moving along the bottom searching for food.
Bullheads can withstand much warmer water temperatures and lower oxygen levels than other fish species, so even during the hottest summer weather, they will be found in shallow water.
Some of the best areas to fish are along the edges of weed beds or near structure such as, dead falls or docks.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
