Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Culling Bullheads

I've started culling out black bullhead cats over the past two weeks or so. A main reason is that my LMB don't seem to have turned on yet even thought the water temp is about 67 degrees.

Anyway, last Monday/Memorial Day, I threw 5 bullheads each about a foot long up onto the bank.
I thought some rodent or racoons would take 'em away. Anytime I throw crappie to the same spot, they seem to be gone the next day.

Today I was up at my place, and man was there a dead fish stink happening. Something had eaten most of the bullhead bodies, but left the heads & spines. I was lucky enough to keep my dog from rolling in the stinking bullhead carcasses, as he likes to roll in animal sh*t and any other smelly substance.

Anyone got any suggestions on bullhead disposal? I'm not really looking to clean or fillet them for eating. I though about burying them, but that seems to be a lot of work thinking about all the bullheads I need to cull.

Thanks.

They are excellent fishing bait. Throw out a trotline or 2 with them on and you will have all the flathead catfish you want.

Thanks Zach,

Only thing is I don't have any flathead cats. I did just put in some channel cats, but they're only about 10" or so right now.

You could make fish oil & sell it to trappers!

Sunil, pick up a 5 gallon bucket, don't put any water in it, when you catch one, just toss them in. Find a suitable place downwind in a field, and toss em'. I hate the little things, they can live a day without water if it's humid. Critters will take what they want, the rest will go toward enhancing the soil. GOOD RIDDANCE !!!!

Just found this forum and Pond Boss. Neat! Asked for a trial issue to check it out.
Just put a contract on some property in Alabama with a 6 acre lake and have lots to learn and am eager to start.

Seeing if this post will "go through".

Lloydian

Ric, yes...and with the snakes I've got to X, I can sell snake oil too!

Eastland, I saw first hand about the bullheads living for extended periods on land. This past weekend, I threw five bulls on the bank around 6PM. That night, we had rain begin in the AM hours and last until about noon the next day. Those bulls were all still moving. Your bucket & pitch downwind idea is right on. My only downfall there is my dog who will seek out the stink and proceed to shoulder down and thrash around in it. Oh well.

Lloydian, just pull the trigger and subscribe. It's a good publication, and the money helps get this free site keep going.

I've noticed the same thing about bullheads. Darndest things will live 1-2 days out of the water. They spine me all the time as well. I too throw them in a bucket and dump ouyt back far from the house and seem to to still find the bodies when I mow a week later or so. Hopefully I will be able to eradicate the numbers as much as possible so this will not continue to be a problem.

I have culled over 200 this week alone. I ordered some fish traps and hope they will cut down on my fishing efforts. I have other things to work on. Anyone ever use traps for them?