Bullheads what a surprise

[snapcrackpop]

Dad only fished for walleyes and northern while I was growing up.

Past couple of years I have been eating some pan fish.

Last time I went fishing I kept a couple of bullheads because people I have talked to said how good they were.

(The only bullheads I remember eating were at bullhead feeds---Yuck!)

So last night I fried them up in vegetable oil and lemon pepper.

WOW I was impressed how good they were.

I will definately be saving the bullheads from now on (at least in the spring).

[Mike Steckelberg]

spring time is the only time i will eat them...but yea if cooked right they are delicious..i always use real lard to fry them up

[Grant]

what's your technique for cleaning them? (nail thru the head, or something else)? I usually end up mangling them myself, although what's left can be good

[snapcrackpop]

Yep. Nail, board, pliers and fileting the backstrap/tail.

My first 2 ever!

[Pikeslayer]

When I clean bullheads I just strike a line around the fish behind the gillplates(just through the skin)then hold the fish on the top of the head with my thumb holding one fin aand my forfinger holding the one on the other side,grab the skin with a plyers and pull,the skin comes right off!Its alot quicker than nails and hammer!! The top of a bullheads head fits right in the palm of your hand!Try it!!

[Mike Steckelberg]

thats exactly what i do pikeslayer..then cut the head and fins off batter and fry...

[Sandmannd]

My Dad adds on more trick to that. Cut your line around the head but dip the fish in boiling water for a few seconds. Skin will just pull right off after that. Works for Cats as well.

[Hammer Handle]

The light brown bullheads taste great all year. If they get a dark black...they taste "muddy". A deep cool lake is great for bullies.

Slice the skin around the neck and a strip down the back. Hold the head tight, and take a pliers and bull off the skin. Quite easy. We still go out nights and catch 40 - 50 bullies for eating for the fun of it.

[kunk]

I've never tried this, but it's an interesting story. Some forty years back my uncle told me of a night out on the lake when he was young bullheadin' with a widow that lived on the lake. They would take a piece of household string and tie it on the end of their lines. Then they would tie a piece steak about an inch square on the end. When they got a bite they would bring it in as easily as possible. They gave a yank to pull the steak out of the fishes stomach and they were fishing again. No hooks, no pliers. The worst thing about bulllheads as I remember was trying to retrieve your hook after they swallowed it.

[Hammer Handle]

When fishing bullheads, use a large hook and pinch the barb flat or file it off. Use a large bait and set the hook after a small pause when you see your bobber move (don't let them take it all the way to their gut...don't let them pull the bobber under if possible).

Fishing at night in a boat for bullheads is great fun.

[Pikeslayer]

Bobber????

[Hammer Handle]

Yep, bobber when fishing at night. The bullhead usually bites slow and you don't feel them on the line. When the bobber moves slightly, set the hook. If you miss, he will still be there. If you wait for a tug, you are too late.

Taking bullheads off in the dark is a challenge. If they are not hooked deep and with no barb on the hook, it is much easier.

Usually we go out at least once a year and just fish bullheads. 40 - 50 bullheads later, time to head home and clean.

[Pikeslayer]

I fish bullheads just like I fish Catfish,a chunk of tinfoil on the end of my rod tip so I can see it by the light of my campfire or other light if theres a fire ban!(God I hope it rains)