6th Annual Bullhead Tournament August 6-7, 2010

Canadian Lakes Fishing Club

 

When:  Fishing begins 7:00 PM Friday Night August 6 and ends 1:00 AM Saturday August79, 

Fishing Location:  Any of the Canadian Lakes Water bodies. (Shore fishing is usually best)

Fee:  $10 per person (Youth 16 and under are free, but not eligible for cash prize)

Weigh-in:  11:00 AM Saturday, August 7 at the Pines Pavillion

 Prizes:

Bullhead Wrangler Award 2 places, 30%, 10%, for Heaviest Fish     

Bullhead Master Award 2 places, 30%, 10% for Most total weight (8” and over)

Separate prizes for youth.

All Canadian Lake’s members, family and member’s house guests are welcome to participate.  Come to the weigh-in with or without fish and bring your appetite for a treat.

Fishermen can fish together but weigh-in is individual, or team.  (Team total weight is divided by the number of team members for award purposes.)

Gear restricted to DNR fishing regulations- three rods and 2 hooks per rod.

Minimum size 8” bullhead to qualify – release all smaller.

Please pack all fish on ice in a cooler for bringing to the weigh-in.  This is a catch and keep tournament and all fish kept will be cleaned and eaten.

Entries must be received by Friday, August 6, noon.. 

Detach form and mail or deliver to:  Sue Glazier, 8165 West Royal, Canadian Lakes, Mi, 49346

Or bring form and money to CL Fishing Club Meeting

Checks should be payable to Sue Glazier

 Tips for catching bullhead are on the back of the entry form.

Bullhead fish fry picnic for all entrants as soon as the Bullhead are cleaned at the weigh-in.

 

 

 

 

 

  Bullhead Tournament Entry Form

 

Name                                                               Phone#____________________                                            

 

Address                                                   City                         State       Zip_____________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009 Bullhead Tournament

 

Tips to Catch Bullhead:

 

Bait:  Any live, commercial or meat baits should work.  Night crawlers can be used but may catch fish other than bullheads.  Cut up fish, chicken liver or skin, cuts of meat, stink baits, etc. all should work.  The key is to remember that these fish are not sight feeders.  They use their barbles at the front of their face to find food.  The more oils a bait releases, the easier it is for fish to find the bait.  These fish have large mouths so don’t be afraid to load the bait up on the hook.    Pre-snelled hooks work well as you can use a snap swivel and simply unclip the line if the fish shallows the hook.  Large sized hooks (1/0 to maybe 4) work best, but almost any hook will do.

 

Fishing gear:  Bullhead will not shy away from heavy lines and are known to take lines under logs after they are hooked.  10-pound line is plenty; go lighter for better sensitivity and more of a challenge.  Any rod will do as long as it is sensitive enough to show a strike and cast a bait.

 

Where to fish:  Fish on or very close to bottom.  If you have a good feel for the depth you are fishing, you might want to try a slip bobber to keep your bait no more than 1’ off bottom or on bottom.  Use enough weight to get your bait down but don’t overdo it.  Lindy style weights (slip weights) are nice as they allow the line to slide through the weight when a fish strikes without the fish feeling the weight.  At night bullhead are on the prowl for the most part in water 3-8’ deep.  Stay near the edge of weed beds.   The fish prefer to cruise open areas, vacuuming the Chara for fish, insects, and other crustations.  Near the weed edge of sandy beaches can be ideal.  If you fish an area for more than a half an hour and don’t hook any fish, move.   A taut line in a rod holder with a sinker on the end and snelled hooks 18” and 36” above the sinker also work well.

  For more detail on how to catch Bullhead, come to the CL Fishing Club Meeting before the Tournament.