How to safely unhook a bullhead

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Ethan Smith
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Video how to hold a bullhead

Bullheads can be readily found in many Wisconsin waters.

In the summertime, they provide great action, even when the water is low. This is because they have an especially high tolerance for water with minimal levels of oxygen and can thrive in a wide range of water temperatures.

These miniature catfish fight hard and feed aggressively. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a groan come from one of my unsuspecting fishing partners when they see that yellow flash breach the surface.

That’s because, when done in haste or incorrectly, unhooking these fish can be a chore.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Take it from someone who has landed over 100 bullhead this year, there is a simple way to quickly and safely put these fish back.

Before we dive into that method, let’s take stock of the risks that come with handling one of these fish.

What to watch out for

There are really only two dangerous parts of a bullhead: the spines and the mouth.

Let’s start with the latter.

Considering their relatively small size, bullheads have powerful jaws. Be mindful of this when retrieving hooks, especially with larger fish.

Speaking of the mouth area, it’s impossible not to notice the whiskers on these fish. They’re technically called barbels. They help bullheads sense enzymes in the water that signify the presence of prey or predators.

The barbels are completely harmless. There are no spines or hooks on them and they cannot “shock” you. These are catfish we’re talking about, not electric eels.

See also 

This leads us to the biggest threat. Bullheads have three spiny bones that protrude from each of their pectoral fins and their dorsal fin.

These spines are nature’s way of protecting the fish from predators until they reache maturity. As the fish age, these bones begin to dull. It seems counterintuitive but, the smaller the bullhead, the sharper the spines.

Getting poked by one of these spines is more akin to getting stuck by a needle than stung by a bee. The pain won’t bring you to your knees, but it is certainly uncomfortable.

Here are a few easy steps to avoid sticking yourself the next time you come across a bullhead on the end of your line. Basically, if you can properly grip a baseball, you can safely unhook one of these fish:

Step 1: Get control of the fish

Make sure the fish isn’t thrashing about. If the hook shank is exposed, use that as a tool to control the line and the fish.

Step 2: Place your thumb on the fish’s belly

img 2684 How to safely unhook a bullhead

I like to turn the stomach toward myself and then gently press my thumb down. This provides stability when unhooking.

Step 3: Split the dorsal fin with your pointer and middle fingers

img 2686 How to safely unhook a bullhead

Once the belly is secured, flip the fish over and slide the base of the dorsal fin into the webbing between your two fingers. This will allow you to control the direction of the fish.

Step 4: Pull the hook and release

img 2691 How to safely unhook a bullhead

While maintaining a firm, yet gentle, grip remove the hook and send the fish back home.

See also  .300 Winchester Magnum for Mule Deer Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Mule Deer Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the .300 Winchester Magnum a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for mule deer hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .300 Winchester Magnum is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest mule deer. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the mule deer, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the mule deer in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop .300 Winchester Magnum Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a mule deer in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .300 Winchester Magnum within the ideal range of suitable calibers for mule deer hunting?” our answer is: Yes, the .300 Winchester Magnum is A GOOD CHOICE for mule deer hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber .300 Winchester Magnum Animal Species Mule Deer Muzzle Energy 3520 foot-pounds Animal Weight 225 lbs Shot Distance 150 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a .300 Winchester Magnum? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .300 Winchester Magnum round is approximately 3520 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male mule deer? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male mule deer is approximately 225 lbs. [Click Here to Shop .300 Winchester Magnum Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in mule deer hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for mule deer to be approximately 150 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .300 Winchester Magnum. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the mule deer being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .300 Winchester Magnum is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest mule deer - and to this question, the response again is yes, the .300 Winchester Magnum is A GOOD CHOICE for mule deer hunting. [Click Here to Shop .300 Winchester Magnum Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting mule deer to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

The key is to have control of the fish without harming it. When gripped correctly, it essentially isn’t possible for the fish to move in a way that would result in having a spine stuck in your hand. Bullheads have small fins, which minimizes their range of motion. As long as the fish isn’t flailing, you have the upper hand.

Other tips

Another method to consider is one my grandpa used to employ when he took my sister and me bank fishing as kids: use a dampened old rag to gently wrap the fish. So long as you don’t fish down too hard, you shouldn’t get poked.

The dampening part is crucial here. Using a dry rag will absorb some of the fish’s slime, they need that protective layer to maintain optimal health. So be sure to moisten your towel first.

If I am in a spot where I know large numbers of bullhead are present (or bullhead are my target species) I opt for larger than normal hooks with long shanks. This helps prevent fish from becoming hooked deeply, which keeps handling time to a minimum. The longer you have to hold a fish, the higher the likelihood of a mishap, especially in low-light conditions.

This increases the risk of losing fish, but the tradeoff is less time struggling to free buried hooks and healthier releases. That’s a trade I have no problem making when pursuing fish with whiskers.

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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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