162 FAMILIAR PISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



While bullheads are caught during the day, the best 

 success is secured during the late afternoon and even- 

 ing, even after dark. The other method consists of 

 using a set line with a large number of hooks baited, 

 as for still fishing. The line is put out at night, deep 

 enough to place the hooks on the bottom. In East- 

 ern waters good-sized catfish, often ranging from 10 

 to 20 pounds, are taken in this way. In the Missis- 

 sippi River and its tributaries, and in the bayous of 

 the South, large catfish, ranging in weight from 10 

 up to 150 pounds, are taken in great numbers by 

 both angling and set lines. Bullheads are esteemed 

 by many a particularly good table fish. 



The sheepshead or drum, while taken frequently 

 in nets, can not be angled for successfully in Northern 

 waters, as they have no especial bottom where they 

 can be found. They are quite frequently caught 

 when still fishing for bass or pike perch, taking either 

 a minnow or crab. Caught in this manner, they usu- 

 ally range from 3 or 4 to 20 pounds in weight, but 

 sheepshead weighing as much as 60 pounds are taken 

 in netting. Those secured in the warmer waters of 

 the South are not considered as good a food fish as 

 those taken in colder waters. The Southern fisli are 

 quite plentiful, and are caught by still fishing with 

 almost any variety of bait. 



As has been previously stated, the burbot, known 



