Need help with this bass

I caught this fellow in about 3 feet of water. both of his eyes were bugged out but other wise a fat healthy fish. It looks like I caught him in about 60 feet off water. Has anyone seen this before and what is the cause. He weighed about 3 lbs!

My boxer has the same problem.

I have caught fish like that and was told that some fish react differently when getting hooked. Was told that the eyes usually get back to normal shortly after release. Do not see it all that often. Really do not have a personal answer to why.

Looks like you surprised him. . .

What did you say to him? I've caught some that looked similar. I think it's for the same reason some people are bug-eyed and some are not. :-)

Camelot bell genetics

You set the hook to hard, crossed his eyes.

That bass just has a different outlook on things.

He was impressed with your hookset. Knocked him cross eyed

5/0 Gamakatsu worm hook did him in!

He was shocked when he saw how ugly you are.

Caught him gazing at a hot piece of bass?!

He was crossed with a bullfrog

Ahhh Rodney Dangerbass... They don't get much respect. But seriously all I can find on the subject is called pop eye fish disease. I found this ...
" The eyes bulge out abnormally in pop-eye because of an accumulation of fluid either in the eye itself or behind the eye. The many causes of pop-eye include infections from bacteria, viruses and parasites, as well as from water nitrogen supersaturation (gas bubble disease), water quality problems, tumors, internal (metabolic) disorders and nutritional deficiencies. Treatment of pop-eye is based on identifying and treating the underlying problem. "

Maybe that explains a little. Aquarium fish get it too. Provided that is what your bass has.There's probably much more on the subject online.