Anyone know where I can catch a bullhead catfish in SoCal?

[Surfer]

Does anyone which lakes in SoCal has bullhead catfish? And what techniques and baits are most effective for catching these little critters? Thanks.

[fish-o-haulic]

question is what lake doesnt have bullheads, i caught them all the time when fishing cats, though i mainly target channel its almost enevitable that a bullhead will bite. i basically catch bullhead the same way i catch anyother catfish. with nightcrawler blown up being the go to bait. I have a thread called basics of catching catfish check it out.

[tacklejunkie]

The Greg.
Or that other bullhead infested lake in the high desert.
Flyline stuff and wait patiently.

[blackberg]

elizabeth or big bear have been my best bets
-bb

[Sublime-Steve]

big bear @ the dam

[downhillin1]

Piru....worms

[fish-o-haulic]

any lake with catfish. brite lake, lake elizabeth, pyramid, castaic i think, Irvine i think, aqueduct, lake isabella i think. a few other places but cant remember right now

[fish-o-haulic]

yep bullheads in isabella

[RTG]

Lake Gregory.

[TheAsianGuy]

Plenty of lakes here have bulls. Depending on where you are, like everyone mentioned, toss in Silverwood, Perris, Guasti, Glen Hellen, and always my favorite to hunt those freaking bulls, Gregory near the baseball field and towards the picnic area. they love the logs!

Use nightcrawlers, cheesebaits with tons of garlic, and chicken livers with fresh fresh blood. They will yank the line right into the depths.

[smokehound]

you can find bullheads in some surprising places, thanks to their ability to estivate in mud during drought.


In fact, there's a storm drain right by me that used to have bullheads in it, until the city removed the mud from it.


The Santa Ana river is full of them.

[bassmeister]

Just go to Irvine and catch some channel cats. They taste much better. Prado Dam where the water comes out is full of Bullheads. Right at the 71 and the 91 frwys.

[plumbertom]

Elizabeth Lake is full of 'em. just put out a half night crawler on a Carolina rig and you can't keep 'em off yer hook.

[Ragetron]

Big Bear Lake. Nightcrawlers

[drifter023]

:???: Bullheads:???:

[fish-o-haulic]

:???: Bullheads:???:

Bullhead catfish

[fishfinder]

Elizabeth Lake is full of 'em. just put out a half night crawler on a Carolina rig and you can't keep 'em off yer hook.


Just remember the limit is 1,000,000

[drifter023]

Bullhead catfish

I know just wondered why would someone want to catch them. Unless for bait maybe...

[fish-o-haulic]

bullhead for bait. is it even legal? bullheads are fun to catch, especially if your addicted to catfish like me. most places with bullheads are normally up the street lakes that make for fun last minute trip, or are a great fish to take first timers and kids to catch. i used to catch bullheads outta elizabeth like nothing.

[drifter023]

bullhead for bait. is it even legal? bullheads are fun to catch, especially if your addicted to catfish like me. most places with bullheads are normally up the street lakes that make for fun last minute trip, or are a great fish to take first timers and kids to catch. i used to catch bullheads outta elizabeth like nothing.

Thats cool we use to call them yellow bellies did not taste good compaired to channel or flatheads.
Just wondered thanks for the reply.....

[vortec_cruiser]

I know just wondered why would someone want to catch them. Unless for bait maybe...

I am the person who likes to fish just for the thrill of it. I just enjoy catching fish, maybe it's the hunt. I will fish for any species that is willing the bite, except for deep sea fishing. And I always fish C&R with lures used 99% of the time.

[fish-o-haulic]

ya i just enjoy catching, though i dont really fish large or smallmouth if i catch one i still enjoy it.

[Surfer]

Where at Big Bear Lake is a good spot for these bullheads? I've only been there once and remember there was a fishing pier.

[Anglerism]

Big Bear by Stanfield st or ave. . Bunch of Bullheads over there! Secret bait is nightcrawlers. Go figure!

[Ifishtoolittle]

I'm going to chime in on this. Are there any city-park lakes infested with these guys?

[drifter023]

Where at Big Bear Lake is a good spot for these bullheads? I've only been there once and remember there was a fishing pier.
Surfer, wondering still why bullheads?

[fish-o-haulic]

maybe he just got a mood for a some bullheads, sometimes i get in the mood to catch crappie and i havent fished them for years.

[drifter023]

maybe he just got a mood for a some bullheads, sometimes i get in the mood to catch crappie and i havent fished them for years.

Yeah crappie taste great but not bulls, when I was way younger use to catch and keep in aquaiums. Would hand feed them worms or throw feeder goldfish in to them.

[smokehound]

bullhead taste better in early spring/winter. During summer they get very soft.

[fishmounter]

drifter023... I have caught bullhead catfish that have tastes really,really good! Honestly! Nice white firm meat that did not taste fishy or muddy. We used to catch lots of them down at the Carlsbad Lagoons, but this was years ago. They were mostly Black Bullheads with a few Yellows too. These catfish can get stunted and stay little 6 to 9 inchers, but the fish we would catch would be nice ones, about 14 to 16 inches and lots of fun on ultralight rods. You could catch 15 to 20 in a few hours right at daylight.

[fish-o-haulic]

drifter023... I have caught bullhead catfish that have tastes really,really good! Honestly! Nice white firm meat that did not taste fishy or muddy. We used to catch lots of them down at the Carlsbad Lagoons, but this was years ago. They were mostly Black Bullheads with a few Yellows too. These catfish can get stunted and stay little 6 to 9 inchers, but the fish we would catch would be nice ones, about 14 to 16 inches and lots of fun on ultralight rods. You could catch 15 to 20 in a few hours right at daylight.

I heard the world record for them is only like 8lbs or something like that

[drifter023]

Did not know about black where I would catch them they were all yellow bellies very mushie. Thanks for the info. might have to look for some black ones and give them a try. Big ones where about 10in. I know at the river can at right times make good striper bait....