I went down to a local golf course to hit some balls and i stopped by the pond on the hole i hit at to get some golf balls. My friend noticed a decent sized black "cloud" in the pond. I immediately thought baby bowfin. I had never caught a bowfin before so i grabbed my pole and went back the next day. I've heard that male bowfin viciously guard theyre young so i figured id get a bite but no luck. If these arent bowfin, what other kind of fish would group into dark ball at the surface?
I also rigged up a kind of cast net that is attached to my line that i can drag through the water. It probably wont work but im gonna try it out.
DC
Fish Swarm in Pond
Started by
Guest_DCBuckeyeguy77_*
, Jul 14 2008 02:27 PM
10 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_dsmith73_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 02:43 PM
The bowfin spawned here in April so that is not it. THe fish you saw were most likely yellow bullheads. We caught some very small juveniles a week or so ago so they are spawning now.
#3
Guest_midge_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 02:45 PM
i have seen young bullheads school in tight black balls, however you can usually pick out that they are a catfish unless they are deeper. small shad also form schools but they are very fast and easy to miss.
#4
Guest_centrarchid_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 07:07 PM
i have seen young bullheads school in tight black balls, however you can usually pick out that they are a catfish unless they are deeper. small shad also form schools but they are very fast and easy to miss.
I have also seen bullheads form swarms. Likely you cold capture one or two adults swimming below the swarm if have a better net.
#5
Guest_fish for brains_*
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Posted 16 July 2008 - 09:49 AM
One of the Pond Boss members posted this photo of Bullheads swarming in his pond:
#6
Guest_sandtiger_*
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Posted 16 July 2008 - 12:54 PM
I agree, bullhead. I have seen similar "swarms" myself.
#7
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 16 July 2008 - 01:25 PM
Dan, are you paying attention to this?
#8
Guest_BullHeadsrdfish_*
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Posted 18 July 2008 - 05:53 PM
Of course I am. 
Do you think I could possibly miss a topic like this, Irate?
I have not been able to find any "swarms" of baby bullhead this year myself, but have collected some very small YOY Yellow Bullhead (.25''-.75'') within the last week.
I usually can find quite a few "swarms" but I have not had the time to get out and look in ideal habitat this year.
Yes, I also agree Bullhead fry.
Do you think I could possibly miss a topic like this, Irate?
I have not been able to find any "swarms" of baby bullhead this year myself, but have collected some very small YOY Yellow Bullhead (.25''-.75'') within the last week.
I usually can find quite a few "swarms" but I have not had the time to get out and look in ideal habitat this year.
Yes, I also agree Bullhead fry.
#9
Guest_nativecajun_*
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Posted 23 July 2008 - 07:41 PM
Used to see them all the time when fishing in Henderson Lake in Henderson Louisiana when growing up. I never knew what they were till I got a dip net as an adult and caught some. Would black bullheads not do the same thing?? I thought that is what they were but I was not a native fish lover back then except for the sailfin mollies I used to catch when a kid.
Fun to watch they look just like a big black spot that moves from a distance.
Daniel
Fun to watch they look just like a big black spot that moves from a distance.
Daniel
#10
Guest_BullHeadsrdfish_*
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Posted 23 July 2008 - 07:53 PM
Young Bullhead of all species school. Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, etc.
#11
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 23 July 2008 - 07:54 PM
Well it is too late for bowfin. So leaves you with bullheads.
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