Drum for flatheads?

[Carp-fisher]

Anyone ever try using small drum for flatties?

[Urbanflyguy]

i've heard of people using them as cutt bait but never whole.

i dont think ive ever seen one small enough where id use it for bait as most of the ones ive caught run in the 2-4 pound range. but i suppose a big enough flathead may see this as dinner.

[Carp-fisher]

I've caught several under 7"...maybe I'll try throwing one on the hook sometime...

[SteveD]

Anyone ever try using small drum for flatties?

I have a spot where I can catch sheepshead about this size one after the other. I've only tried them one time with no luck but it stands to reason that this would be a good flathead bait. There are tons of them in the St Croix so you know they feed on them on a regular basis. I've had good luck catching channel cats with cut sheepie. I may start giving these a try during the post-spawn.

[Slowhand]

Oh that looks like some nice profile bait Steve. Do they stay active on the hook well?

[DTro]

I would take a tank full of those any day!

[Urbanflyguy]

gotta say thats the first one ive ever seen that small. i wonder how they would be for pike under a bobber

[SteveD]

Oh that looks like some nice profile bait Steve. Do they stay active on the hook well?

The one time I used a sheepshead he was kicking most of the night and would pull clicker every so often. He was hard to hook up - the scales are a little tough to get through and that top dorsal fin is sharp when they flare them out. To be fair - I got skunked that night and I had out 1 bullhead rod and one sheepshead rod. That night they didn't want anything.

I'm just heading out the door now and I may do some bait fishing before I start some serious flathead fishing. If I get a few of these I will give them a try tonight. You have to admit that is a nice looking bait fish.

[rushing]

I have tried to use them a couple of times but they have were never alive by the time I have got to the river.

[Slowhand]

Was too focused on the bait 1st time 'round; look @ his thumb ....true catman.