Top Ten Reasons Why I Prefer Bullhead Fishing

Matt, with one of the many bullhead he caught on April 15.

I went bullhead fishing Wednesday night on the Salmon River Estuary in Port Ontario. I decided to have a little fun with this blog by paying homage to David Letterman. I love bullhead fishing more than any other kind of fishing and here is why:

Reason 10: There is no snow on the ground when the bullhead start biting. It might snow again after they start biting because of Mother Nature’s sick sense of humor; in which case I would take a brief hiatus from bullhead fishing until the snow melted again.

Reason 9. I don’t have to put on waders or any other complicated fishing gear. (I know most of you are saying waders aren’t complicated; with me, anything is possible).

Reason 8. I don’t have to stand in the water. Don’t get me wrong, I love water, just not in the middle of winter with a current strong enough to take me down and send me into Lake Ontario.

Reason 7. There are gorgeous sunsets.

Reason 6. There is absolutely no technique. Unless you consider casting the line and checking it every so often, only to find a bullhead on the hook, a technique.

Reason 5. You can sit on dry land in a chair with a cold drink listening to music and hanging out with friends.

Reason 4. You don’t have to wander around a tackle shop for an hour trying to decide on the best bait to use based on: the temperature of the air, the temperature of the water, the depth of the water, the type of fish, the time of year you are catching the fish, the color of the fish, if the fish is male or female, what the fish had for dinner and if it likes long walks on the beach. You just buy a container of worms.

Reason 3. I can talk as much as I want and I won’t scare away the fish.

Reason 2. I have actually caught a bullhead!

And the number one reason I prefer bullhead fishing over any other kind of fishing is:

It’s so easy - a caveman can do it!

If you’re interested in bullhead fishing, here are some hot spots you can check out: Salmon River Reservoir, Lake Neahtahwanta, Panther Lake, Salmon River Estuary, Oneida Lake, Oneida River, Oswego River and the Oswego Harbor. If you’re not sure where these places are, just send me an e-mail at jtrump@oswegocounty.com.

A friend's son, Austin, fishing from land before the sun set.

Matt fishing off the dock.

Just before the sun set. Life doesn't get much better than this.


A great shot of Matt & Austin


Matt fishing during the sunset.


Welcome to the Salmon River Estuary!



Reason #5: Friends


Matt was trying to catch a bullhead, instead he caught a pike! Something I can't manage to do when I'm trying!

Another bullhead caught by Matt.

Becky & her catch.

Using the cell phone to light up the big knot that we created by crossing lines. Oops!

Matt showing Jake how to reel in a fish.

Matt showing off the fish that Jake helped him catch!

Adam's bullhead.

Becky caught another one.

I finally put the camera down long enough to catch one!

Kyle caught one at the same time as me.

Ashleigh, the pro, had to show everyone how to get the fish off the hook.

Manasseh and Adam waiting for a bite.

Jake was more worried about posing for the camera than catching bullhead.

He finally caught one by himself and even held it up! You can see the excitement in his face.

Here's a better shot!

Manasseh started getting bites left and right.

Jake was having another go.

Ashleigh showing off one of her many bullhead.