Today while I was at the pond on my lunch break I caught two decent sized bass on a squarebill crankbait. Both of the fish were hooked in the exact same spot - the outside of the nose, with the back hook.

 

What does this mean, that the fish were just hitting the bait, and not actually trying to eat it? Just more of a reaction strike trying to injure a baitfish?

I remember hearing on a video, not sure if it was from here or somewhere on Youtube, that if they are hooked there, it is because they are trying to kill it. I think the video was in reference to the spawn though. I'm not sure how accurate that is or if it applies to this time in the season.

The other possibility and something that I've encountered, is that the fish was initially hooked lightly in the mouth with the belly hook. In attempting to throw the bait they became impaled on the rear hook outside the mouth. If both of those fish were attempting to escape to deep water, that rear hook wold be positioned above them. 

Nose bumping occurs a lot during the spring, not that I'd rule it out.  Either way, be happy.  I'd rather catch 'em and wonder why than wonder why I'm not catching.