As far as the bite marks if it was Fairfield, it now has otters that feed on fish. I saw my first one on Monticello in December and 1 on Fairfield 3 weeks ago. The one on Fairfield swam withing 20 yards of my boat. They are apparently making a comeback in Texas waters.

Now that's impressive, almost think I'd mount one like that. What lake?

EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS!!! I saw two swimming very near the area. I caught the overs in the reeds very close to a clean "alley" in the reeds. Must have been a den somewhere and they snooped around too close. I say I saw "them"....I thought they were Nutrias.

Sounds like a similar spot. Opposite side of the cove from the discharge channel?

Yes. The first small cove from the outlet. If you were at the outlet and went around the point to the main lake, along that bank....the first little cut back/cove....that's where I caught those two overs with chunks out of em. Also where I saw the little critters swimming.

Yep, same area. I have seen nutria and beavers on the lake too but there was no doubt on the one I saw.

That would make a cool replica

I swear it shows up when the fish first come from deep. I see it most in early spring when they move up to stage or first hit the banks, seems like if they get much sun on them it fades.

I've caught them late summer off deeper stuff too.... Some lakes tend to have it more than others so I figure some populations carry the gene more often than others. Cherokee has a ton of them

Matt, my "BLACK BASS" came from Lake Austin. I had some funny replies back when I posted it. One user said, "It looks like it was dipped in axle grease". I actually sight casted for it. I saw it swimming shallow, and was perplexed. The knew the shape looked like a bass, but the color was off. Sure enough, IT HIT!!!!

I've caught about a dozen bass since December 20th-ish from Marble Falls and LBJ and I've had more fish to be blotched than not. They have all been healthy and I understand that this is just a genetic difference, but I have caught maybe two blotched bass before this winter. I've been told it is because of the chemicals that is sprayed for grass but I haven't found anything to support this.
2 of my bass have had lipstick, one red (I figured just because she was a winter time bass) and the other black

Red lips is from eating craws off bottom on hard surfaces, just like red in back of throught from the shells, black spots etc. Are basically just freckles from lots of nutrients and sunshine, just signs of health healthy fish with tons or nourishment