black spot

[steelefishing]

I recently caught a bass that had a black spot. Anyone
know what causes this?

[bassmaster111]

no idea but ive caught many pike with black spots all over them, it could be the same cause

Was it a spot like on a redfish?

[profishermenkid16]

I have seen alot of it but I haven't a clue what causes it.Some times smallmouth bass will be solid black with red eyes,They are 3lb+ smallmouths to clear the idea of them being rock bass,They are way too big and wide,but they have the same redish, orangeish eyes a rock bass has.P N J

[catfishtonyd]

It's nothing. Just a skin discoloration. I see it fairly often. About like an old age spot on a persons hand.

[danrw84]

A black marker maybe ???

[pond_hopper]

Somtimes incorrect fish handling, not wetting your hands in the water before toching the fish, will take their protective slime off and then they will develop discolorations from bacteria and infections.
Just something that i read.

[zman]

I've caught some smallmouth like PnJ has described in 1 particular creek that I fish. They arent as big, but they are almost all black. I'm sure they were smallmouth, I just can't explain the coloration. They do seem to have all come from very shallow, clear runs with current...and I could see them chase the lure - like a black streak - from a long way off.

I have even wondered if in this case if there was a different subspecies present, but I doubt it.

[bearpaw]

I've heard that it was a form of discolorization of the skin. Some say it will go away, some say it's a perminent scar. I've also heard that it was a feature that takes place after a bass lies beside an object for a long time.
Have caught several bass with this feature. All these fish were in good health.

[Infisherman1]

The black spots are where leaches went onto the fish and made the mark. I saw it on an episode shaw grigsby when they were smallmouth fishing at pickwick.

[basstard]

i think i heard some bass are just like that :-/ not shure though..

[bennersj]

In the new March issue of Bassmaster a guy that won a tourney said he thinks fish get the blacks spots from schooling up ??? I have caught fish with black spots on them and most of the fish I catch with the black spots seem to be in places where the fish are bunched up. I don't know that this is true but I wouldn't rule it out.

[texan_bass]

It seems everyone has an opinion on the subject
Not sure witch one to believe though ??? Maybe someone should write to Bassmaster and ask?

I have caught a few Largemouth with the black spots, and enjoy catching them. They're kind of special ;D

A couple of years ago I caught one around 3 lbs. and took a picture. I sware I caught it 2 more times during the year 8)