What’s the best size bullhead?

Since the grammar police are on doughnut break having their cholesterol checked…

Just wondering what’s your favorite size bullhead?

I want to have them as close to 7 inches as I can. Why, did I hear you ask?

Although many large fish are caught on sub seven inch bullies, I think the larger the bait the more “noise” they make under water drawing fish from further away.

This doesn’t mean I always catch bigger fish with a larger bullhead, it just means it attracts them from further away. Small and Large.

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Since the grammar police are on doughnut break having their cholesterol checked…

Just wondering what’s your favorite size bullhead?

I want to have them as close to 7 inches as I can. Why, did I hear you ask?

Although many large fish are caught on sub seven inch bullies, I think the larger the bait the more “noise” they make under water drawing fish from further away.

This doesn’t mean I always catch bigger fish with a larger bullhead, it just means it attracts them from further away. Small and Large.

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is that the same size you like for the bluegills you use too?

Only you Perch.

I just wonder how you can handle all 8 St Croix rods you have spidering out of your boat?

DADDY’S HOME!

Ooops, wrong movie. Oh well…

And just for the record, I’ve never actually caught a fish on a bullhead… yet.

I suspect my planned outing on the 26th will change that.

If I were to use them, though, I suppose I’d like them as close as possible to the max size for the same reason.

And Brian, I thought your favorite size bullhead was 10″… or are you trying to get the law changed just because you love politics?

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Just wondering what’s your favorite size bullhead?

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The ones that I have used coming out of your cooler Mr. K

I say the bigger the better. This year I’ve noticed a significant difference, especially. In fact, one night I lucked into a great bite and ran out of big bullheads. I started putting two small (4″ or so) bullheads on the same hook. With three lines out – two with one small bully each and one with two small bullies – guess which one got whacked?

P.S. Hooking a fish with two bullheads on the same single hook is a challenge.

Love you too Bretski!

So what I’m hearing is it’s not about size as much as it is about action(?)

I just found this out Froday Night.
If you can’t rub there belly they are to small.

Haven’t been using bullheads all that long but love a 12inch 2 1/2 pound sucker if I can get them.Never had a flathead that couldn’t swallow it whole and want more.

I have no proof, but I suspect a flathead can determine the general size of the bullhead by the type of ‘noise’ it is making. I suspect no matter what the size of the flathead, a bigger “sounding” bullhead will be more attractive and music to their lateral lines. They might not ‘want’ to tract down smaller prey with less value.

Right around 4 pounds or so!
3-15 to be precise!

I don’t really care what size it is. As long as it’s lively and struggling, I like it. I think a bigger bait might weed out the 10lbers though,

I tell ya what is more of a challenge than catching a flathead with 2 bullies on one hook. That’s catching a drum with a double bully rig. I have yet to see that one topped. It’s fairly rare to catch a sheephead on a single bullhead let along 2 on the same hook.

Aanderud gets river cred for that one…

kinda out of the topic but…i once caught a rock bass on a red depth finder while checking depth for some nite-time eyes

Sheephead on double bullheads…rock bass on a 1 oz depthfinder…never say never on the river.

I think big fish with big mouths like to eat one and be as full as possible. They don’t get big by wasting energy chasing after scooby snacks.

I once had stripers hit a pink depth finder while ice fishing. Lost 3 big pink rat finkies that day too.

I’m with dtro – lively and struggling is most important.

Their is a problem with baits that are to big – they can pull they’re waits around (grammer infractions intentional )

What this means is that they can move themselves to a spot where they’re either hidden, or they are nice and comfy and don’t have to struggle. Anyone who has used big bait has experienced this – they seem great for the first five minutes then won’t move unless you drag them around (increasing your odds of snagging up).

You could go with larger weights, but I find anything over 3-4oz unwieldy, and not worth it. Most of my really big fish have come on small to medium sized bait.

And no – you can’t weed out the 10 pounders with a little bigger bullhead (or bluegill). You could use the state record bluegill and catch an 8 pound flat. Again – anyone who’s used big baits knows what I’m talking about.

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anyone who’s used big baits knows what I’m talking about.

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Could you define big baits for me?

Ever since I hooked a flat with the bullies pectoral fins (the hook wasn’t even close to it’s mouth) I’m a believer that a flat will take anything it can and sometimes can’t get it’s mouth around.

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anyone who’s used big baits knows what I’m talking about.

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Could you define big baits for me?

Ever since I hooked a flat with the bullies pectoral fins (the hook wasn’t even close to it’s mouth) I’m a believer that a flat will take anything it can and sometimes can’t get it’s mouth around.

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Big bait for me would be a 9″+ bully, or a “lunker” bluegill. You know that almost any flat out there that’s eating live fish will do its best to eat either of those, so you’d have to go gigantic to weed out smaller fish, which would be entirely impractical, at least while fishing snaggy waters.

Those “big” baits above, the larger bluegills and larger bulls, in my opinion offer no advantage over a 7 inch bluegill or bull. They are better at not having to struggle, so whatever you gain in “size attraction” (if that exists) you lose in “struggle attraction.”

Gotcha. I was trying to relate that to suckers.

And that makes sense in woody cover too.

Smaller (i.e. 5-7″). Reason not being for attraction/struggle but rather a higher probability of the hookset landing into the fish and not the bait.

In all reality, I’m an opportunist – whatever I can catch will suffice, regardless of size.