Watching TV this past weekend, think it was Bill Dance and he said they get the spots usually in the winter. But didn't say what actually caused it...

That's one nice spotted bass. Congrats.

Rare Dalmation bass.

Thanks Nickandnat! Finally an answer that is somewhat believable!!!!

Thanks for the good comments....even the "funny" ones!

So your cool with fish herpes? I'd stick with spawning colors. Lol

Fishylis

Thought the same thing when I first saw the pic.

that's a nice catch!

Nice catch.

its not a virus, it could be a few different things but rarely malignant. mostly is just a pigment variations that can be caused by different things including the stress of the spawn. nothing to worry about, healthy fish.

ttt

Tiny black spots are caused from pigment deposits around worm larva under the skin of the fish, usually seen across the belly. The large black spots on the fish like in the OP's picture are just natural. It's concentrations of pigment. I don't think it's ever been figured out why some fish (in the sunfish family) get the spots and others don't. Nothing wrong with the fish. Some claim it indicates a healthy fish breeding in a healthy body of water. I would tend to agree that it likely has to do with the stress of breeding.