Hey all -

Just wondering if you can use baby bullhead catfish as bait for any sort of fish. I recently discovered a new pond in my area that is full of them, and I was thinking about using them for bait for bigger cats of possibly some largemouths. Any ideas/input??

Never heard of it probably not

Not sure about other states, but in CA, no. You are not allowed to use a "sportfish" for bait... and yes, a catfish is considered a sportfish.

 

Oh but hey, even if you could, catfish would have to be very low on the list of food choices for a bass. Just imagine those sharp spines in the bass' throat ! Yikes ! Not saying a bass won't eat one, just that it's not the "preferred food of choice" for a bass. 

 

Fish

Okay, this is a very slippery slope subject. I have spoken to a couple of game wardens who actually had differing opinions on the subject. In OK if the fish is considered a "sport fish" then it cannot be used for bait while it is still alive. However, I was told by one warden that if you caught the fish by legal means, then you are free to do with the fish what you want. For example, you could eat the fish, feed it to your dogs or fertilize your garden with it. He said that once the fish is dead in your possession, then you are free to do as you wish. I do me best to keep up with all laws and regulations because I don't want to break them, so I have asked more than once.

 

A good dead Crappie makes some great Catfish bait

Check your local regulations.

 

I've seen a few custom baby catfish swimbaits either here or on other sites.

 

EDIT, In IL panfish are allowed as bait providing they were caught on the same body of water they are being used on. I don't know if that would apply to bullheads/catfish.

They're fair game in Kansas. Not sure how they work for bass but big flathead love them!

excellent snook bait

Not sure about other states, but in CA, no. You are not allowed to use a "sportfish" for bait... and yes, a catfish is considered a sportfish.

 

Oh but hey, even if you could, catfish would have to be very low on the list of food choices for a bass. Just imagine those sharp spines in the bass' throat ! Yikes ! Not saying a bass won't eat one, just that it's not the "preferred food of choice" for a bass. 

 

Fish

 

As Chris said, you are not supposed to use sportfish to catch sportfish.

 

However, we do use live bluegills and bream to catch bass.

 

If you use catfish for bait I suggest using the babies, not over one or two inches in length.

 

I also do not expect the bass to go nuts over your presentation and you will probably stand there for hours with your rod in your hand looking silly.

 

Of course catfish love live worms and minnows but so do bass.

 

May I suggest throwing bass baits that the catfish may ignore? Just remember a catfish will hit all of your bass baits so have a nice medium heavy or heavy rod with strong line and just set that hook and have some fun fighting whatever is on the end of your line.

Not in MO.  You can not use game fish as bait.

Bass love stone cats

in florida you can use them *not sure about catfish cause we usually net them in salt water but you can use bluegill but they have to be caught on a hook not in a net

 

also if you use cut off the spikes

There are a few "Madtom" lures on the market for bass.

Tom

When I was a kid we had a pond that every year it had pools of baby catfish. The size of minnows. My cousin and I caught some and used them at another one of our ponds for bait. Let's just say the bass ate them like a fat kid in a candy factory. No sooner then they hit the water they were gone. 

I would check your state laws.  Not in Minnesota.  State fish laws here prohibit the use of ANY fish caught while angling as bait.  For example, you cannot use a bluegill you just caught as bait for a largemouth.  You can use live bait such as fathead minnows, worms, shiners, sucker minnows, etc that you legally purchase at a bait shop, or if you get a bait license you can catch your own and use those.

Use the heads for sharks  xD

On 6/11/2013 at 9:59 PM, FishinBrian said:

Hey all -

Just wondering if you can use baby bullhead catfish as bait for any sort of fish. I recently discovered a new pond in my area that is full of them, and I was thinking about using them for bait for bigger cats of possibly some largemouths. Any ideas/input??

You did say bullheads. I'm sure you know this but these are used all over the country as bait, primarily for flathead catfish. I really don't think they are a game fish,not here anyway. I think some people maybe confused on what it is. They don't really get very big at all, and very common around 6-12 inches.they make bait rigs for specifically bullheads too. But always check local regs.

Bullheads are a common bait for flathead cats, just check your regulations so you don't get a ticket.