by Bryan Ridenour

Created on: September 17, 2009   Last Updated: September 24, 2009

Some fishermen call the Bullhead Catfish the garbage disposal of freshwater fish. There are three varieties: the black, yellow, and brown. It's a known fact that they are not picky eaters, and so some anglers shy away from eating these fish because of the varied stomach contents discovered upon filleting. However, bullhead angling can make for a very entertaining time of fishing. The key is being on the water at the right time.

Undoubtedly, the evening and night hours are the favored times for bullhead catfish. During the summer months, bullhead catfish lounge in the deeper water, staying relatively inactive, until the water temperature cools late in the day. In the evening, and especially between dusk and midnight, the bullhead catfish will actively seek out food in shallow water, making this the prime time for fishermen to be on the water.

Bullhead catfish are not known for their eyesight, but do have a very sensitive sense of smell. A good fisherman will take advantage of this sense and will choose baits that will be enticing to the bullhead cat. Sporting goods stores, such as Bass Pro, sell bags and bags of catfish bait better known as stink bait. Catfish are attracted to such offerings but many anglers believe the best way to catch bullhead catfish is by stringing on live bait, such as worms or crayfish. The key is to use bait that emits a strong odor, as the scent draws the fish's interest. Visual presentation matters little to the bullhead as he relies on his sense of smell and whiskers while scavenging for food.

Once you've chosen your location to fish, the proper tackle set up is important. Longtime fishing researcher, Dan Eggertsen says concerning hook size, "Start small and work your way up. The reason I say this is that you will often catch bigger fish with a small hook, but you rarely ever catch a small fish with a big hook." He goes on to say that size 8 or size 6 hooks are the perfect starting point. Tie these hooks to an eight or ten pound test line, maybe heavier. Line size in the water will not deter bullheads from biting because of the fish's weak eyesight. Concerning baiting the hook, Associated Content article writer Jeffrey Moats says, "While a slip sinker or split shot sink with a baited hook works just fine, multiple hook offerings are preferred. Using a snap swivel, tie two or three hooks on at various lengths and bait each." This method gives the angler multiple opportunities to make a catch with the potential of netting more than one fish at a time. Once the hooks have been baited, cast the line into the water, but do this gently. There have been countless times when fishermen have thrown lines in one direction and launched bait in another.

Pick a night, and head out to the water. If bank fishing is your choice, bring along a comfortable lawn chair, a cooler of your favorite soft drinks, a heavy duty flashlight or lantern, and don't forget the insect repellent. Be vigilant. Once the stink bait hits the water, the bullhead just might go into a feeding frenzy.

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