confusing situation

[Grant Pearson]

I was chasing after some cats on the mississippi a little while ago, and was using cut suckers. About every 5-10 minutes, I'd get a little double tap, and then nothing. When I'd do a bait check, all that would be on my hook was the skin, a few bones, and a little meat from the sucker. I tried using smaller cuts, larger cuts, etc. to no avail. What could have caused this? would it have been sheepshead or other "minnows" or fish eating it, or what? It totally confused me, as it happened many times. The only "reel" catch of the day was a broken fishing rod and reel setup that had been lost about a month ago. :Pretty dirty and beyond repair.

[harvey lee]

I do believe that the sheepies could do this. I along with many others have been picked clean except for skin many times. I had this happen last night numerous.

[crazyice]

Maybe turtles...

[mplspug]

The last few times I have been out the sheep have been testing my patience. I've been using chunks and when I bring the bait back in, you can tell by the skin something has been sucking on it. Once in a while I'll hook one.

[Grant Pearson]

I kinda thought they were sheepies, but didn't know for sure.

[Sandmannd]

I'd run with Sheepies and probably some turtles. Them little snappers can get on the bait.

[HuskerBen]

Just about anything with a mouth too small for your hook can do that, but I'd be willing to bet (like so many others) it's the ol' freshwater drum. It's like they eat around the hook. Frustrating, for sure.

[slipperybob]

Turtles!

they cut the flesh and steal your bait...

Sheepies will compress and crush the the bait to steal it...

Those are the finicky eaters...when they are, they're gut hooked.