dead bullheads

[sheephead24]

i caught a bunch of 5-6 inch bullheads yesterday and kept them for bait, but they all died already. do dead ones work for either channels or flatheads or should i throw them out? and if so do you use them whole or as cut bait? thanks for any info.

[rushing]

I would toss em. They are pretty much worthless dead.

[HuskerBen]

I've never had much luck with dead bullies.

[DTro]

Just as a side note, I think I'm now done with my learning curve thanks to others (especially LFC).

First of all you need to keep you water cool, I had a tank in my garage and the bait was steadily dying. Same setup, moved into my basement and I find one belly up every 4 or 5 days.

In the boat I've also switched from a recirc pump to a standalone aquarium aerator/inverter. I use water from my home tank, toss in the bait in a large cooler, throw in a gallon milk jug of ice, and I'm good to go. Matter of fact I've had live suckers in my tank for almost two weeks now!

*looks around for some wood to knock on*

[AQUAJOE]

DTRO you are losing one every 4 or 5 days?

Wow that is a lot. I have never lost a bullhead yet. I would be interested to see what your setup looks like.

What size tank and how many fish?

Do you run a filter or airstone or both? Just say I could give you a hand I bet we could get you down to zero loss.

[Larry FlatCaster]

Joe,

Were keeping a fair number in a smaller size container. I would be willing to bet that DTRO probably isn't even loosing as many as stated unless he has some that have been around for a long time.

Its pretty easy to keep a dozen or less for some time. In a home aquarium.

Keeping suckers alive with bullies for that period speaks alot....

But were open to your ideas and process if you want to post them.

My attrition rate starts to go up after 4-5 weeks. attributing factors. starvation, rough handling, (going out on multiple trips with out getting used) occasional wilt.

[DTro]

Yes, it's just a basic 60gal (I think) rubbermaid container. Using an aquaclear filter, with dual air pump with large stones. I think the ones that are dying are ones that have been previously hooked and or transported quite a bit. I have a lot of them in that container. I sure it is approaching the century mark or even more along with the suckers.

[rushing]

Another tip. When catching bullheads pinch the barb on the hook down to minimize damage to the bullhead when unhooking, which will keep them healthier for longer. I wont keep a bullhead if its at all damaged.

[AQUAJOE]

Sounds good to me LFC and DTRO. Do you guys run at least something to remove ammonia?

[Larry FlatCaster]

Yep... I run it in 2 of my filters.

I'm still waiting to see ammonial register on my meter... To see if it works.

[Shack]

I have had good luck just catching them on the way down to city. Fresh and full of pep. It is right on the way and takes me about 10-25 minutes to get a dozen or more. Ranging 3"-7". Some times the crappies, sunnies, bass and walleys get in the way (like rushing said before, what a problem to have) but I work through that.

Sure is funny, I avoided this place for the same reason I go their once or twice a week now, Bullies. I used to hate them. It is all you would catch down their. The funnier thing is now the bullies are slowing a little and game fish are becoming a pest. It sure is fun catching game fish, but when you are in a hurry to get down town cat fishing it is kind of a problem.

I found out last week, jigs suck for bullies. Slip sinker rig catches them the fastest. I am sorry, the fastest way is throw a couple of crawlers chunks out and wait untill them are boiling. Then dip net them and get a net full. I started this two weeks ago and if they are next to shore, this is the coolest why.