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Overshots vs. Taper Taps (and When to Use Each)
- Bull Dog Tool
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
In oil and gas operations, few things bring work to a halt faster than a stuck string or lost bottom-hole assembly. Whether it’s parted tubing, a dropped tool, or compacted debris, every minute spent fishing costs money. That’s where the right fishing tool makes all the difference. Among the most commonly used recovery tools in the field today are Overshots and Taper Taps — and while they both serve the same mission, they do it in very different ways.
At Bull Dog Tool, we design and manufacture both options to meet the realities of field work, not just theory. This guide will help you understand when to choose an overshot, when to tap, and how to match the tool to the job for a faster, safer recovery.
What Is an Overshot?
An overshot is an external catch tool used to grip the outside of a fish, typically tubing, sucker rods, or other cylindrical downhole tools. It uses slips or grapples within a bowl-shaped housing that latch onto the OD of the fish as you lower and rotate the string.
Bull Dog Tool offers Oversockets & Overshots engineered with flexible catch ranges, durable slip assemblies, and replaceable segments, making them ideal for:
Tubing retrieval
Oversized fish
Short-catch scenarios
Jobs requiring high tensile strength and controlled engagement
Overshots are often the first choice in fishing jobs where the fish's OD is accessible, relatively clean, and you need a strong, positive latch to pull.
What Is a Taper Tap?
A taper tap is an internal catch tool. It’s designed with a tapered, threaded body (called wickers) that screws into the ID of a tubular fish, cutting deeper as you rotate. Once engaged, it allows you to work or retrieve the stuck object by pulling on the tap.
Bull Dog Taper Taps are heat-treated, precision-machined, and available in fluted or non-fluted designs for various applications. They're cost-effective, durable, and ideal when:
The OD of the fish is inaccessible or damaged
You're dealing with collapsed or deformed tubulars
A clean internal thread catch is preferred
Overshot vs. Taper Tap: Which One Should You Use?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right tool depends on fish condition, well geometry, and retrieval method. Here's a side-by-side breakdown:
Feature/Condition | Overshot | Taper Tap |
Catch Method | External catch | Internal catch |
Ideal Fish | Tubing, rods, collars (with clean OD) | Tubulars with intact ID or damaged OD |
Wellbore Obstructions | Better for straight access | Better for collapsed or restricted casing |
Retrieval Strength | High tensile strength and pulling capacity | High pull strength, relies on thread grip |
Engagement Control | Grapple/slip assembly | Threaded taper cut |
Reusability | Replaceable slips/segments | Low-cost, often disposable |
Catch Range | Wider range with segmented designs | Narrower, precise diameter fit |
Field Scenarios: Real-World Use Cases
Use an Overshot When:
A section of tubing has parted and left a clean top end
The OD of the fish is within known range and accessible
You need a high-strength engagement to jar or pull with force
Time is limited and you want quick engagement
Bull Dog Oversockets feature segmented bodies and customizable bottoms to accommodate guide protectors, mill-type shoes, and short-catch applications. They’re favored by field crews for their grip strength and adaptability.
Use a Taper Tap When:
The fish has collapsed, flared, or mushroomed ends
You need to thread into a stuck plug or casing sleeve
The OD is damaged or inaccessible
You're dealing with an older well with internal scale or corrosion
Bull Dog Taper Taps are available with wide catch ranges and can be used with circulation ports to assist in dislodging scale or debris during engagement.
Can They Be Used Together?
Absolutely. In many multi-run fishing jobs, crews will try a taper tap first to establish internal purchase, then follow up with an overshot if the OD can be cleaned up or dressed. It’s also common to dress overshots to catch tubing, while running taper taps in tandem to engage stuck rods or internal fish within the same string.
Some assemblies are designed to include both tools with quick-connect subs, so the operator can transition between internal and external catches without tripping pipe.
The Bull Dog Tool Difference
We don’t just machine tools — we support the job from start to finish. Here’s what you get when you run Bull Dog fishing tools:
U.S.-made components, built to withstand tough pulls and jarring
Custom threading to match your BHA or work string
Flexible catch ranges on Oversockets & Overshots
Optional guide bushings, cut lips, and mill bottom configurations
Circulation ports on taps when needed
Need a modified tool or combination assembly? Our in-house machine shop can turn it fast, no minimum quantity required.
Related Tools to Consider
When building your fishing string, consider adding:
Boot Baskets for cuttings and junk recovery
Reverse Baskets for debris retrieval via annular circulation
Scrubgrab® for wireline and cable recovery
Impression Blocks to map the top of the fish
Fishing Magnets for metallic debris or sheared parts
These tools give you better downhole intel and help reduce trips.
Final Thoughts
Overshots and taper taps are both tried-and-true fishing tools — and knowing when to use each is key to saving rig time and protecting your well.
Whether you're chasing rods, collars, or unknown junk, Bull Dog Tool builds the gear and provides the guidance to make the job go smoother. Our tools are field-tested, precision-machined, and ready when you are.
Need help designing your next fishing string?
Contact Bull Dog Tool for custom specs, fast turnaround, and expert support. Let’s get your fish on deck.