Brown bullhead

Small brown catfish with a squared tail, dark chin barbels and mottled sides.

Most are around 10 in (25 cm).

Up to about 22 in (55 cm) long and 6 lb (2.7 kg). Source: FishBase

It feeds at night on a wide mix: mollusks, insects, leeches, crayfish, worms, plankton, algae, plants, fishes and fish eggs.

It lives in pools and slow runs over soft bottoms in creeks, rivers, lakes and ponds. It handles low oxygen and pollution, and may bury itself in mud when conditions turn bad.

Found from South Florida & Keys, Florida Atlantic Coast, Florida Gulf Coast and Northern Gulf (AL–TX).

Ponds, lakes, canals and slow rivers with soft bottoms.

From the surface down to 39 ft (12 m).

Bottom of holes and channels, 5–40 ft.

All year; spring and early summer are strongest.

Evening and night are best; also after rain raises the river.

In rivers, current seams and eddies; rising water triggers feeding.

Warm, overcast and stable weather.

Worms, chicken liver and stink baits.

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Medium-heavy rod with a baitcasting or spinning reel.

2/0–8/0 circle hooks.

20–50 lb mono or braid.

25–50 lb mono, 18–24 in.

Bottom-fish small baits at dusk and after dark.

Easy, fun night fishing from the bank.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Good eating when fresh.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.

Stiff, sharp spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins can cause painful wounds.

Check FWC freshwater rules. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.

Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.