Started fishing a local pond about a month ago. No pressure so the fishing is always good. I noticed last time was there one of the bass I caught smelled TERRIBLE. We all know and love the "bass smell" but I couldn't wait to get this one back in the water. As for the pond itself it seems healthy, lots of vegitation and I could see some fry swimming around. It wasn't just that fish though, almost all I caught that day just smelled "off". Not like sewage or anything like that, in fact I can't really describe the smell. Anyway just curious if anyone has any similar experience or knowledge of what might have caused it. Thanks guys!

One of the lakes I fish a lot is a power plant lake that's loaded with shad. The bass often smell very strong like shad because that's about the only thing they eat in this lake. It's not a bad smell I guess but very noticeable. 

I saw an episode of Tim Horton's show and he said when bass have that real strong smell it means they are in a school. I have no idea if it's true or not but that's what he said.

Last year I gut hooked a bass and it was bleeding. It smelled awful and I wanted to get it back in to water ASAP. I've always though it was because maybe it was in stressed and released something from it's body. I have no idea though.

An old friend and guide on the Historic James, Appomattox and Chickahominy Rivers and Lake Chickahominy once told me that he attended a school for guides down in the Carolinas and they told him that when a bass is hooked or is in a stressful situation it will put out a scent to warn other fish.

 

I have never heard of this before or after; never read or viewed any data on the process; or have had the topic discussed at any Bassmasters Universities or seminars.

 

Old Wives Tale? I have no idea. But if what you say is true I wonder if the smell is what the old guy old me?

 

What do you guys think?

An old friend and guide on the Historic James, Appomattox and Chickahominy Rivers and Lake Chickahominy once told me that he attended a school for guides down in the Carolinas and they told him that when a bass is hooked or is in a stressful situation it will put out a scent to warn other fish.

 

I have never heard of this before or after; never read or viewed any data on the process; or have had the topic discussed at any Bassmasters Universities or seminars.

 

Old Wives Tale? I have no idea. But if what you say is true I wonder if the smell is what the old guy old me?

 

What do you guys think?

Sam I have heard the same thing but never had a way to check it out.

I wish I could explain the smell, it was just bad. As far as it being a warning scent to the other fish, I didn't have any trouble catching more from that Same spot, so I don't know. Glad to know others have at least heard of it. Thanks guys.

Again all I caught that day had that smell about them. So maybe the schooling fish thing may her some Merritt.

I caught a small 1# 2 months back and I think it had the same smell you're talking about. I mentioned it to my buddy who has 10+ years of knowledge over me. He said that the fish quite possibly just got off the bed. Man, it took a while before I could get the smell off my hands.

I would think it is a product of its environment especially in smaller bodies of water, but also happens on larger ones.  metal smells from iron, copper, etc are noticeable on fish, same with sulfur which you would know as the rotten egg smell.  Any dissolved particulates in the water in enough quantity could be noticeable on fish. 

Could be simple as decaying plant material that could cause an off smell as well.

or....it could always be an upper lip problem...

This happened to me today. Was fishing shallow cover. Nice bass but wow did it stink like a bad fishy acidic metallic smell. One of the worst smells ever.

On 7/7/2013 at 8:47 AM, hookedahawg said:

I wish I could explain the smell, it was just bad.

He who smelt it dealt it. Jk it could also be related to the water they are in and whats decomposing down there? Just a thought. 

On 7/10/2013 at 11:26 AM, Nice_Bass said:

I would think it is a product of its environment especially in smaller bodies of water, but also happens on larger ones.  metal smells from iron, copper, etc are noticeable on fish, same with sulfur which you would know as the rotten egg smell.  Any dissolved particulates in the water in enough quantity could be noticeable on fish. 

Could be simple as decaying plant material that could cause an off smell as well.

or....it could always be an upper lip problem...

I’ve never noticed that sulfur smell with a bass but have on a few occasions catching some river spotted Musky. Fish were healthy. Decent water quality. Very well could be from decaying plant live or leafs. 
 

 

 

When a lake turns over you get the rotten egg/sulfur odors.

Bass don't have bad breath, they smell like whatever they have been eating however.

My guess is the bass are eating abundance of crawdads. 

Tom