Bloody tails

[ikeslayer]

Caught a couple of portly 2lbers today out of about 2 feet of water and there tails were all bloody enough that they were dripping in the boat. Both the fish came from about 1/4 mile apart from eachother but similiar structure. I am just wondering what causes this. i heard that it happens around the spawn while fanning beds but never heard of it this late. Just curious. ike

[Boedigheimer]

Ikeslayer, hopefully your seeing the effects of the spawn, and not some new virus. It seems I read about a new fish disease every week. But I would bet you caught a couple of bucks, fresh off the beds. In years past I have seen bass on beds into mid-july. All members of the sunfish family seem to have a long drawn out spawn period, lasting a month or more, you caught a couple that hit the snooze button a couple times before GETTIN IT ON!

[Wayne Ek]

Ikeslayer, I find the same thing each year on the shallow dirty lakes around Alex. I thing ( just my opinion ) the tail wear is caused when post spawn fish move into very shallow water on rocky or gravel bottoms to feed heavy. Because of the off colored water they stay shallow feeding and it's just like you walking down a gravel road without shoes, your feet are going to show some wear and tear.