See it all the time in the spring. I caught a couple last week on Roberts. I always attribute it to some type of hormonal condition. I don't notice that much later in the year.

Gotta be kidding me. These splotches been on bass since bass existed. I've seen old black and white photos where you could tell the bass had splotches on them. No virus or sick fish.

Caught two at Alvarado yesterday with splotches.

Im sure someone on here will tell you that they are not dark splotches, they are just shadows.

Racing stripes!

Like others have said, I have seen the spots since the early 90's. Someone told me once it was from the vegetation, but never quite knew what it actually was. Yesterday I dropped into Basspro in Grapevine I saw it again. As I was walking by the aquarium with the big fish, there was a fish with the "black spot". Prob was a three pounder. Just about every lake I have spent much time on has produced a fish with it.

Ray Roberts

Lewisville

I'm very surprised that no one on here has stated what this is. It's melanosis. Totally benign and you tend to see it more in the winter time.

https://bassfishingfacts.com/why-do-some-bass-have-black-spots/

I was fishing a local club T a few years back when I caught a bass that had 16 black spots on it, put it in the live well to show at weigh in but 4 hours later, I took it out of the live well to show and there was no spots at all. Wonder where they went ????

It was mentioned in the article shared by the OP. The interesting part of this is that TPWD is looking to report because they are studying the "disease."

That other thread left you butt hurt and with a bad case of the stupids didnt it?


Any idiot can see that the spots on those fish in this thread are caused by something other than shadows. It is well documented but maybe not well understood. However there appear to be two idiots that still think that Bass in Lake Naconiche come equipped with "racing stripes" despite logical explanations and pictures to show how shadows are responsible for those so called "racing stripes".

The reason why TP&W is interested in these blotched fish is because they actually exist. The reason TP&W is not interested in "racing stripe" fish is because they dont have the time and resources to chase fairy tales.

Look man I get it, you are devastated that I destroyed the "racing stripe" fairy tale and now you cant handle the thought that some day you wont be able to catch a bass that is painted like the #3 Goodwrench car with more sponsor logos on the side of it than adorn your favorite fishing jersey. You really should just let it go though or at least bump up the other thread so we can continue this retarded conversation there.

By the way......next week we will be discussing the Easter Bunny. You probably wont like what I have to say about that either.

Probably just need their 5th booster shot….

Splotches or not, that’s a beautiful smallie!

Whoa.............. the Easter Bunny has racing stripes?