The only thing more numerous to a secluded Texas bay than mosquitoes is the dreaded hard head. Just like the proverbial in-laws around the holidays, a Texas angler with any amount of fishing experience will find these bait stealing bayou bandits just as hard to get away from. And like fishermen afflicted with the dreaded H.I.A syndrome (see: medical advice section) these pesky critters of the gulf coast it seems it doesn't matter where you fish in the vastness of Texas fishing destinations, you will eventually run across a few of these worthless species. Unlike the before mention member of this fortunately short list of unwanted fish species the sheep head. Hardheads have no redeeming qualities. They never get big enough in order to provide a decent fillet, even if they did taste half way worth eating, which it is not. Their fighting skills may be compared to one of the under a minute knock out bums that Tyson fought after being released from prison. If we must look for something that they are good for is their tendency so hit 10 dollar a quart shrimp with same enthusiasm as a 10 pound trout. Which affords us unfortunate anglers a chance at releasing our pent up anger against Mother Natures fire ants of the oceans.
Over the years I have grown accustom to their unwanted intrusions to my otherwise perfect days of fishing. Gone are the juvenile days of slapping these useless quirks of nature against the haul of the boat until they loose their ability to jab their intravenous barbs into your flesh. These days the only time they will feel my wrath is if they ask for it first and just are bound and determine to inflict me with one of their poisonous barb. ( This topic is also covered in the medical advice portion of the index page under S.O.B injuries. ) And just as in the case of the sheephead species of gulf coast residences this marauders of the bottom do come in handy during those few days when nothing seems to be biting in the entire ocean. Old Mr Head can always be counted on to save the day for those youngsters not yet old enough to appreciate all the redeeming qualities of this nuisance of nature!!!!
Although I can't imagine why any one would be interested in this information here are some of the more likely locations to find a few thousand of these Beavis and Buttheads of the waters. Number one on the hit list is any stretch of beach front from Sabine Pass to Mexico. I have found this particular species find great joy in stealing the hard fought bait that I had spent hours accumulating with a seine net!!! Another one of my favorites is any of the many back water bays in Texas. The only remedy I have found to ward off some of these unwanted advances is with artificials. Unfortunately this is not a sure fire method but cheaper than feeding shrimp after shrimp to these little scavengers. Much like feeding seagulls from the back of the ferry, this type of fishing is mostly only fun for the younger generation of the fishing experienced ladder. Once you've had a few thousand shrimp stolen from these insects of the water world. Or in the case of the seagulls they have drop a few well placed bombs on your new fishing hat. Both the hard heads and seagulls start to loose their magical appeal!!!!