I know that Bass are one of the easiest fish to hold with your index finger and thumb, right in the mouth. I do it with every one I catch. I 95% of the time don't use the net, I just loft them in with the rod. Without letting them lay down on the bottom of the boat (to protect their slime barrier) I usually put one hand in the mouth to hold the fish, and the other hand to get the lure out. Weigh him up, throw him back. Easy as pie.

 

However... Call me a whiner or call me a pansy... But when those fish start to wiggle, flop, or jar around while I'm holding them in the air... It's like course grit sandpaper that just rips the skin apart on my thumb. And trust me I've got a firm firm grip on them. It's not like a slack barely grabbing his mouth kind of grip. I put my thumb in there and get a nice firm grip as to not drop him when he flops. Yesterday I was fishing a pond and had a 2 1/2 Lb Largemouth actually draw some blood on my thumb when he flopped in my grip. I was so surprised.

This thread holds two questions...

 

Does anyone else notice Bass teeth being oddly sharp and a little intimidating?

 

Could it be that I just catch and hold so many bass, that now the skin on my thumb is weak and torn up, making it easier and easier for every bass to cut me? Lol

Play them at the boat a little bit longer so they arent so ticked off when you grab them. I'm not saying to take them to dead tired, but just let them get a little bit of that adrenalin out of their system before you grab on. Nothing worse than a ticked off bass with your thumb in his mouth. 

Play them at the boat a little bit longer so they arent so ticked off when you grab them. I'm not saying to take them to dead tired, but just let them get a little bit of that adrenalin out of their system before you grab on. Nothing worse than a ticked off bass with your thumb in his mouth. 

That's what I'm sayin man. They flop while you have them in your hand and wow... They can actually do some damage with those little tiny teeth. It's like sand paper.

I just consider it the sign of a good day... 

Not trying to be mean man, but...

 

Quit your crying bro, you're catching bass.

 

I know I had a good weekend if I look at my thumb on Monday and it looks like grinded it on a powersander.

 

If it really bothers you, just wear a glove or something.

Not trying to be mean man, but...

 

Quit your crying bro, you're catching bass.

 

I know I had a good weekend if I look at my thumb on Monday and it looks like grinded it on a powersander.

 

If it really bothers you, just wear a glove or something.

So if you were here to actually post something informative; you would've said "yeah my thumb gets torn up too."

 

Nowhere in the post was I crying or being negative. I was explaining what was happening and I was curious if others get it as well. So many TV shows and videos have people holding a big bass that flops around in their hand. I was just curious if their teeth are gnarring at their thumbs too, that's all.

 

However I did state that you may call me a whiner or a pansy.

lol...it's called bass thumb and it is a good thing.  Now i will follow the rules of your post and call you both a whiner and a pansy    

lol...it's called bass thumb and it is a good thing.  Now i will follow the rules of your post and call you both a whiner and a pansy    

That's how it's done!

I've been fishing bass since early high school and I've never heard of Bass Thumb.

Maybe it's because all the people I fished with never caught anything.

Ok, you whining pansy, its called BASS THUMB. Enjoy it!

Lighten up guys...

 

"Bass Thumb" is macho, like battle scars. Wear 'em proud!

Ok, you whining pansy, its called BASS THUMB. Enjoy it!

"Please....don't text and fish." Lmao!

So if you were here to actually post something informative; you would've said "yeah my thumb gets torn up too."

 

Nowhere in the post was I crying or being negative. I was explaining what was happening and I was curious if others get it as well. So many TV shows and videos have people holding a big bass that flops around in their hand. I was just curious if their teeth are gnarring at their thumbs too, that's all.

 

However I did state that you may call me a whiner or a pansy.

I don't think jpb was trying to offend you, I think he was just bustin your chops. I get bass thumb pretty bad too, it does get annoying but its just par for the course man...now post up some pics of those bass ya pansy!

I don't think jpb was trying to offend you, I think he was just bustin your chops. I get bass thumb pretty bad too, it does get annoying but its just par for the course man...now post up some pics of those bass ya pansy!

Maybe if I would stop spending money on fishing gear and my boat I would be able to afford a smart phone so I could GET some nice pics

You would not be cut out for noodling my whole arm gets bloody from it

I don't think jpb was trying to offend you, I think he was just bustin your chops. I get bass thumb pretty bad too, it does get annoying but its just par for the course man...now post up some pics of those bass ya pansy!

I agree with what Christian stated about jpb, you pansy.  I wish I had bass thumb days all the time. 

 

Actually I meant to say, YOU ARE ONE CRAZY WHINY PANSY!

I always keep electric tape and superglue nearby. On long fishing trips, whether tightening the line lacerates your finger or the smaller bass (sharper teeth) are going nuts when you hold them, you are going to bleed in so many different places. Then the next day you will reopen the wound and get an even deeper cut on the same spot. Its going to happen if you are catching a lot of fish. Superglue the big ones, duct tape or electric tape the one's right below the thumb knuckle and suffer through the ones on the hand. People should shake your hand and know that you're a bass fisherman, not a wisherman. 

The sandpaper like teeth are used to grip the scales of other fish and prey. In some lakes/ponds where there isn't as much bream, the bass' teeth don't get worn down as much and they can be sharp. I remember catching a bass a while ago that had a few teeth that stuck out further than other bass' and those teeth actually cut me pretty deeply. (don't worry, im not complaining lol )

 

I used to get the "bass thumb" too but I don't seem to get it as bad anymore. My thumb is just smoother after catching a few fish, not really filed down.

The sandpaper like teeth are used to grip the scales of other fish and prey. In some lakes/ponds where there isn't as much bream, the bass' teeth don't get worn down as much and they can be sharp. I remember catching a bass a while ago that had a few teeth that stuck out further than other bass' and those teeth actually cut me pretty deeply. (don't worry, im not complaining lol )

 

I used to get the "bass thumb" too but I don't seem to get it as bad anymore. My thumb is just smoother after catching a few fish, not really filed down.

 

I was actually wondering if this could be a possibility. The pond bass that I was fishing yesterday are in a friends' boss's back yard and he stocked it a few years ago with Bass, Crappie, and Northerns. The pond is well maintained and always clean cut shoreline... No lily pads... Barely any weeds in the water... So due to their "stable and controlled" environment I'm guessing their teeth are a bit larger and sharper than natural bass.

 

Also the lakes I fish are quite a bit smaller than say... Mille Lacs lake just a half-hour north of me, which is pretty huge. So I'm probably getting "bass thumb" a bit more than the average guy.

I'd rather have bass thumb than flathead hands.   But, if you are getting bass thumbs, you're having a good day!  Embrace the pain!  

Bass Thumb is a badge of honor, wear it well.

Ive got scratches but, i cant say ive ever been cut by a bass. You guys fishing in Chernobyl?

Ive got scratches but, i cant say ive ever been cut by a bass. You guys fishing in Chernobyl?

 posing with pictures and catching a ton (Minnesota) will take that skin right off your hand.

Play them at the boat a little bit longer so they arent so ticked off when you grab them. I'm not saying to take them to dead tired, but just let them get a little bit of that adrenalin out of their system before you grab on. Nothing worse than a ticked off bass with your thumb in his mouth. 

No offense,but that is horrible advice! the fish is fighting for its life,doesn't know if you are releasing it or making it your next meal! Dont risk removing the very important slime coat on the bass. its gonna thrash around,its part of fishing..either accept it or take up golf!

 

I do agree OP,it stings like hell,i'm feeling it right now and my thumb looks like hamburger meat,but its a sign of doing something right! Hockey grip tape on the thumb works well!

You could get one of those neoprene thumb guards that I have seen advertised sometimes. Buyer beware: just like a fanny pack if your friends see you wearing one, you may never live it down.

I get it all the time, i love it. Just means your catchin a bunch of fish! Some fish will have more teeth depending on their diet. If they eat a lot of crawdads it grinds down their teeth and they dont tear you up as bad. I have a buddy that has a pond behind his house where there are almost no crawfish and they have some huge teeth on em. It just comes with the territory of bass fishin. If you dont want em tearin you up, i have seen some pros put duct tape on their thumbs