Recently I tried fishing a local spot for the first time and was using crawlers, just to see what was there. On that first afternoon-evening, I ran into 50+ sunfish and a handful of bullhead(I could even see the bullhead schooling). However, 4 or so subsequent trips to the same location, still using crawlers, have resulted in just more sunfish, no bullhead.

A thing to note is that the sunfish haven't been as active on those subsequent evenings as they were on the first.

If I wanted to find these bullhead again, should I expand where I'm fishing? Should I try some more heavily scented bait of some kind, and stick around in the same location for a while letting the scent spread, trying to call them to me? Has the weather just caused bad fishing on those other nights, and I just need to hope for a better fishing day?

I really thought after that first night I had things figured out pretty well, but I guess not. I'm going to use up the last of the crawlers I have later this evening, and while I'm out getting more tomorrow I'll pick up some cheese dogs at the grocery store and try those.

In my opinion it is not the bait. I would stick with crawlers - that is always my bullhead go to bait. If you wanted to switch to a different bait I would recommend small crappie minnows. Most of the bullheads I am catching are just full of minnows right now. I'm not sure I would switch to Cheese Dogs!! If you do use them let us know how you did. I'm open to trying anything that seems successful and if you have luck with Cheese Dogs I'll give it a try myself.

You know the bullheads are there and you know that they can be caught on crawlers. A lot of times the sunnies are beating the bullheads to the bait. I've had similar situations to what you are experiencing and it is the sunnies that are the problem. BUT - I have also had days where I couldn't find the bullheads either. Sometimes it is like any other fishing and they are just shut down and not biting at all.

First thing I would recommend is experiment with changing the depth of your bobber and move it deeper almost on the bottom if possible. One of the places I fish for bullheads you can only seem to catch them right on the bottom. We fish a plain hook with a small split shot about 4" to 5" above the hook and cast it out and let is set right on the bottom. Trouble with this approach is that you gut hook a lot of bullies.

If you keep getting sunfish then like you said I would expand where you are fishing. The sunfish may have just pushed the bullheads off that location. When I am searching for bullheads I fish an area fast. Cast out my jig and bobber and let it set a few seconds and if nothing then reposition moving down the shoreline until I find fish.

Good Luck. Let us know if your luck changes.

Ok so I have a question about using bullheads for bait? Are you guys using them alive and whole for flathead catfish. or can you use them for cut bait for channel cats? I only go fishing for channels and I normally use livers or dead suckers. but I've been catching alot of bullheads lately and if they work for cut bait I'll never have to buy bait again. thanks for the info.

Up here in the Red we get into the stone cats pretty fierce sometimes. They're sorta like a bullhed. Anyway, instead of digging out the hook, I just chop 'em up as soon as I get them, re-hook and let 'er fly. You'd be surprised what a channel will eat in the spring. They don't normally get bit as good as goldeye, but in a pinch they will work.

Posted By Dtro:






Hey Dtro,

I did get my self a nice net for my bait tank

It will be once you put an extension on it... You will be wringing out your shirts if your wearing more than short sleeves.
Looks like a nice net though.

I have not had good luck fishing bullheads this year. I need to find a better spot I guess! I have the tank ready, just cant get anything to put in it!

LFC, the water level is not all the way to the top. The opening of the net is 9" and it is almost as long as the tank. It actually works very well. I will admit, I was a little skeppy at first, but after using it now it works just fine.

I am not bobbing for bullies or nothing

I have to opposite issue, the bullies are running pretty well, I just have not had time to do a full blown out run for them yet.

All right larry , I put my net to the test.


This is pushing on bottom. I do wish I had another foot or so.


A good scope of bullies.



I put a craw fish in my tank. I figure he would eat any dead matter that came from the bullies. He has some nice little coves to hind in at the bottom, we will see how long he last's. He has been in the tank over a week now with some bullies and is still liv'in.

I got over 2 dozen roll'in right now and will get more this weekend and push the tank up a notch or two .

No wet sleeves..... Perfect....
I hate dunking my arms and coming up with sopping sleeves....
Looking good mate!!!!

hey Josh- can you shoot me a quick email when you get a chance? I've lost your address....

thanks bud.

For those who change out the water, it makes great plant food. I dump the water out in the same spot and it gets nice and green.

I've been keeping a close eye on my bait and noticed an obviously sluggishness in them.

I had a test kit for my aquarium, so I thought I'd give it a go.

Nitrates were very low, close to 0ppm

However, the Ammonia level was skyrocketing, probably greater than 5ppm.

I'm sure it has to do with such a large number of fish in a small area, and having a couple die off.


I did a 50% change right away and will monitor it closely.


The only way I can see keeping this under control is doing water changes frequently.

Water changes are probably the way to go. You can buy freeze dried nitrfying bacteria at a pet store but they should have a medium to live on, like some rocks or filter pads. Not to mention that changing your biomass as happens when bait is added and subtracted from the tank will probably wreck any sort of balance you achieve in the nitrogen cycle.