Hooking bullheads

Hey guys a few quick questions about the bullheads. Bullheads aren’t normally used around the part of the Ohio river were I fish. I have heard a lot about them in the last few years and I’m eager to give them a try. Do you just hook them up like you do a blue gill or shad? Do you cut the sharp fens off or leave them? I have about 3 dozen in the tank waiting for the flats to turn on reall good from about 4inches long to about 11inches long. Thanks for all the info guys and hopefully they’ll be my secret weapon around here too. Do the stay a moving around good once they have been out for a while or will they try to hide?
Thanks again
http://www.tanglingwithcatfish.com

Jeremy,

Not necessary to clip any fins. I either hook them behind the dorsal or through both lips (credit to Flatheadwi). I usually have to tighten down my tension all the way or the tough little buggers take line on you. They will get into stuff so try to put them close to wood or structure. I think they may raid eggs so cats not only eat them they destroy them when they can.

I hook mine through the tail. Clipping fins probably makes no difference but if I aint getting bit I’ll do it just to make a change. They are very durable and lively so you should do well with them. Use a larger hook, 8-10/0 should work for you.

That’s an interesting comment about bullheads raiding eggs. I’ve never thought of that possibility. Do you think a really short or even no leader at all would keep the bait from hiding under something? A short leader might make them struggle alot and attract the big ones.

I use a heavier weight than most people use and my leaders don’t often exceed 12 inches. I want my bait anchored with little chance for them to inch their way way to saftey under a stick, log, etc. I’ve used the no leader approach to and my bait didn’t struggle as much when it was pushed right up to the heavy sinker. Give em a little room to work but not too much. They struggle more when they think they’re going somewhere – just before the big chrunch-o-la comes to get em

When the male is protecting the nest, it’s been written, they will attack anything that comes close to it. Including larger size flats. I have no doubt that when a itty bitty MN bullhead wanders by it will become mush.

Set the HOOK!

Thanks for the information guys. How’s the water temp doing up there? We’re at 60 degrees now and are starting to catch some small flats. I believe anytime they’re going to start putting the pre spawn gut on. I’m going to give the bull heads a shot this weekend. I’ll let you all know how they do. Hopefully I be able to post a good picture or two. I fishing a fun tournament this weekend with my wife it ought to be a treat.

I run a bit longer leader than Dirk but I might take his advice as I did have a few problems last year with bait hanging up. I fish a lot of weedlines at night. I have had some success drifting slip bobbers in 6 feet of water on an edge. You need a good musky sized lit slip bobber. It is pretty cool when the big bobber gets slammed. You can’t use too big a bullhead when doing this so it should be fine up der in Minnesota

I hook mine on the back, or tail. I don’t cut fins because no flathead I have ever caught on one ever spit one out! If they bite them, they stay BIT! I do believe they don’t get bit as much as a good sucker or creek chub, but the fish I get on them are big!
Tuck