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Overview

How to target

Bull Huss
Species ID: bull-huss

Bull Huss

Resident around much of the UK, bull huss favour rough, kelpy and boulder ground, reef edges and pier/harbour walls with scoured gullies. Best after dusk on a flooding tide into hi...

🌊 Tide: flood 💨 Wind: onshore 📅 Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Best tide

flood

Moon

neap

Season

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Wind

onshore

Max weight

9.5 kg

Day vs night

Day 30%
Night 90% (best)
Resident around much of the UK, bull huss favour rough, kelpy and boulder ground, reef edges and pier/harbour walls with scoured gullies. Best after dusk on a flooding tide into high water, especially with a bit of colour from an onshore breeze. Use big, oily baits (mackerel, herring, bluey, squid, or fish/crab cocktails) on strong abrasion-resistant gear: 60–100 lb rubbing leader, 4/0–6/0 pennel on a pulley or running ledger with a long trace. Add a weak link (rotten bottom) for leads over snags. Cast to gullies, reef corners and the base of structure; they’ll also come very close in at night in 1–3 m. Keep baits still and freshen scent regularly. Handle carefully (rough skin), unhook with pliers, and support the fish for release.

Temperature

7–16°C

Depth range

1–25 m

Baits

  • Mackerel Head 9.2/10
  • Squid 8.8/10
  • Bluey (Pacific Saury) 8.4/10
  • Pouting Fillet 8/10
  • Sandeel 7.2/10

Rigs

  • Pulley Pennel Rig 9.2/10

    Ideal over rough/kelp ground. The pulley lifts fish/lead on the retrieve to reduce snagging, while a pennel holds big fish/squid baits Huss prefer and improves hook-ups.

  • Rotten Bottom Pulley 8.9/10

    For very snaggy rock marks. Pulley aids the lift; weak-link lead parts if the sinker wedges, saving the fish and most of the rig. Great in gullies and boulder fields after dark.

  • Pulley Pennel Dropper 8.5/10

    Clipped down for distance to reach reefs or tide runs; on splashdown it drops and fishes like a pulley. Pennel secures bulky fish/squid baits and pulley action helps clear snags.

  • Running Ledger 8/10

    Simple, stealthy for mixed/clean patches, piers and estuary mouths. A long flowing trace lets a big oily bait waft and create scent, encouraging confident Huss takes.