Bullheads as live bait - but not for cats?

[mainbutter]

Does anyone use or has anyone ever tried using bullheads for gamefish other than our big kitties?

Nutritionally, I'd have to imagine that they SHOULD be on the menu for bass, pike, and muskies.

A musky fisherman friend of mine claims that the musky stocking in 'tonka really did a number on the bullhead population there.

[DTro]

Lot's of fish eat bullheads. I wouldn't say they are preferred, but it just comes down to small fish being eaten by big fish and what is available to eat.

If you put a predator fish in a lake that is full of bullheads, they will get eaten.

[blakeb]

X2 ^^^

yeah i suppose they are a bigger part of a cats diet du to the fact they are so similar, they roam the same paths to an extent,

but like all fish it comes down if it fits in the mouth it fair game.

as for pike ait give it a try, i know that i will be for pike on opener.

[Gordie]

It is my understanding that bullheads are loaded with nutritional value for all preditor fish. I was told that gamefish love to eat bullies because of the oils that they have in there body. and lots of fatty tissue. Now I'm not possitive but I do know that they work great for cats but they seem to take them less after the spawn for some reason.

IF and its a BIG IF that I try for skies I would like to try for them on the sand on Mille Lacs when you can site fish them when they are sunning themselves and toss a bullie in front of them just to see the reaction of the fish is what I'm after

[blakeb]

you might be on to something elwood, im going to troll them ouside a weedline at 1mph

[dan z]

It is my understanding that bullheads are loaded with nutritional value for all preditor fish. I was told that gamefish love to eat bullies because of the oils that they have in there body. and lots of fatty tissue. Now I'm not possitive but I do know that they work great for cats but they seem to take them less after the spawn for some reason.

IF and its a BIG IF that I try for skies I would like to try for them on the sand on Mille Lacs when you can site fish them when they are sunning themselves and toss a bullie in front of them just to see the reaction of the fish is what I'm after

The thing about bullheads and cats is they are nest stealers and the flats dont want them to be around when the time comes. Just my 2 sense

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Dan that is what I was thinking as well. You could also use them for mudeyes, those bait thieves seem to love a big bully. Tho they never seem to bother my smaller bullies. As for muskies, my buddy's cabin is loaded with them as well as bullies. During the spring time you can watch the muskies darting around chasing the bullies in the shallow waters. So my best guess would be that you would have a decent chance at them with a larger bully. I would just clip off the pectoral and dorsal spines. little blood trail the wounded look and no defense mechanism. Sounds like a win win situation to me. Just my opinion tho.

[bobbymalone]

I have mentioned this before, but i was bass fishing with the GF last year and she caught a big sow of a bass and a ~7 inch bullhead's tail was sticking out of it's gullet.

[pikestabber]

Don't underestimate bullies for 'eyes in the late fall,either. When they start rooting around into the mud, the walleyes gobble them up readily. Pike eat bullheads in the winter months for sure, too--I have cut them out of their stomachs in December in most recent memory.

[mrklean]

i found a big bass dead with a bullhead in its throat, so the good bass eat bullhead, the bad the bullhead also killed the bass

Ever try bullies for channel cats? I know all the flat guys use them but wasnt sure about the channels?

[Shack]

Gordie oh no you didn't

Edit in this before this thread goes down to you know were.

Quote:

IF and its a BIG IF that I try for skies I would like to try for them on the sand on Mille Lacs when you can site fish them when they are sunning themselves and toss a bullie (Quick Strike Rig)in front of them just to see the reaction of the fish is what I'm after

You might be safe then.

[Gordie]

Gordie oh no you didn't

Edit in this before this thread goes down to you know were.

Quote:

IF and its a BIG IF that I try for skies I would like to try for them on the sand on Mille Lacs when you can site fish them when they are sunning themselves and toss a bullie (Quick Strike Rig)in front of them just to see the reaction of the fish is what I'm after

You might be safe then.

Thanks alot Shack or may be I'll hang one in the spear hole

[wooduck26]

I think reguardles of the species, you put a small fish in front of a larger preditor fish....Its getting eaten! Its all about oppertunity. Fish are oppertunists.

[Carp-fisher]

I've read that madtoms, a close relative to the bullhead, are supposed to be phenomenal baits for smallies and walleyes.

[goblueM]

don't tell anybody but 3-4 inch bullheads are absolutely fantastic bait for smallies and walleyes

[Dragon Fish ll]

Heck ive sat on shore fishing long lake in N.B. and watched a female Duck goble up a bunch of little bullhead.

[rushing]

I think bullheads are one of the main forage fish in southern Mn lakes.

I have even fished for northerns with bullies and had some success. I have also seen some largemouth bass caught using spinner baits and there was a giant bullhead tail stickin out its gullet.

[Gordie]

don't tell anybody but 3-4 inch bullheads are absolutely fantastic bait for smallies and walleyes

Your secret is safe here