Hooking Bullheads in the Lips

[Tyler Holm]

Sooo.. I know it’s a fairly elementary question, but I’m going to ask anyways.

I normally hook the bullheads through the upper back behind the dorsal with the hook angled toward the head. I’m good there.

I’ve read in a few places that people a hooking bullies through the mouth/lips on certain occasions. I understand they might not be quite as active with this method, but I’m wonder if there are any tricks in doing this? I could envision this happening when you’ve got a nice a lively bullhead, but you’ve hooked it multiple times behind the dorsal, or also if you’ve missed a pile of fish and want to try something else. What are you thoughs?

Do you put the hook through both bottom and upper lips/jaw? Is the hooked centers in the mouth, or do you place it toward the side (near the nostral)? Are certain hooks better for this style (kahle, wide gap, octopus, circle)?

[Shack]

Octopus threw lower jaw.

[Grant]

in fast current I've hooked a 10/0 Kahle in through the mouth and around the back of the skull... keeps the fish face forward and able to breathe, as well as not likely to fly off the hook from a haymaker of a cast. I use the lower jaw on shorter throws, more hook exposed.

otherwise I do through the back with the point forward in anything slower.

boils down to doing what the local conditions dictate I guess.

[hanson]

You'll find its dang near impossible to hook the bully through the upper lip, it takes a ton of force to push the hook through. Lower lip is much more forgiving.

My personal preference is to hook the bully through the back behind the dorsal.

I have personally lost or missed more fish when I have hooked through the lip, so I don't (and will not) hook the bait that way anymore.

My confidence is hooking behind the dorsal and I'm sticking with it.

[The J-Man!]

I have always hooked my bullies through the bottom lip and have had no problems with them staying lively all night. I don't believe my hookup ratio is any different had they been hooked in the back.

[Shack]

My hook up ratio has been down, but I believe it was because of how I was setting hook with octy circle hooks. I can not remember the last time I have lost a bully. It has been rare, but once and awhile I reel them up after a couple of good tags and misses and they are pretty beat up. I maybe have lost one maybe two out of the sevral dozen I have used. I also do think the ones I have lost were the couple I did hook threw back. I feel hooking them threw back and a coulpe of cast's they loosen up. Threw the bottom lip, they stay alive all night long.

Intresting what Hanson had to say. I will be trying threw the back next time I am out. He has given great advice in past that has worked and I sure am game for any more advice coming from his way. Thanks!