The photo on this page was shot on my iPhone last week and is unretouched except for minor cropping, and is typical of some bass with a blue lower jaw.

 

Here in south Florida, in Palm Beach County, in November and early December, a large proportion of largemouth bass that I am catching, perhaps around 20%, have a curious irridescent blue coloration under the lower lip and jaw.  Sometimes this is bright blue, as in the photo on this page. But more often it is a pretty pale turquoise evident over most of the lower jaw and sometimes on the opercula. It is seen more often in the smaller specimens, little dinks and 1/2 pounders, and more often in fish from large aggressive schools of small bass that are readily caught in open water, schools that abound here in November. The weirdest thing about it, is that I could not find any reference to the blue color on the internet. Are they pre-spawn males spruced up for mating? Have any of you bassers noticed this or have a comment or info about the blue coloration?

 

 

 

I've noticed more when the water is cooling

I don't think it is any more then a constriction of the blood vessels which causes the coloration.  It probably happens when water temps drop.  I have noticed the same thing in a few fish.

They are reverting back to bluegills!

Tom

In south Fla, it's almost a year since the last spawn.  I am guessing the blue is on the lower jaw of the female bass. Have you noticed them. trying to spawn yet?

I don't think it is any more then a constriction of the blood vessels which causes the coloration.  It probably happens when water temps drop.  I have noticed the same thing in a few fish.

i second this.

In south Fla, it's almost a year since the last spawn.  I am guessing the blue is on the lower jaw of the female bass. Have you noticed them. trying to spawn yet?

No. The blue color is usually on the smaller bass, so I thought they might be males. Of course, females start off small, too. I am surprised not to find anything about this anywhere on the internet. The blue is definitely not from vasoconstriction due to cold water, as it is irridescent and the waters were warm. I think it is a mating thing as it is seasonal. There is not enough science out there on bass behavior, I'm afraid

Bass have started spawning already.At least in my area. When water temps cool down, and full moons are about, you see the spawning behavior begin. Just last weekend walking along the canals, i spotted 3 nesting sites with bucks and females very close by. One particular couple were spawning. The female could be seen trying to shake off and disperse her eggs.

Bass have started spawning already.At least in my area. When water temps cool down, and full moons are about, you see the spawning behavior begin. Just last weekend walking along the canals, i spotted 3 nesting sites with bucks and females very close by. One particular couple were spawning. The female could be seen trying to shake off and disperse her eggs.

Same here on the So. West coast.

Went to a local canal to try out some new Charlies Worm swim baits I was given and saw a good looking young couple rubbing.

They looked quite pleased.

Mike

The blue color on a red drum comes from its diet is what i have been told. could be the same idea??

i have caught several fish here in georgia with the same coloration on lower jaw. caught some upwards of 3 lbs with the coloration. Dont think it has anything to do with spawn as most of the fish i caught were well past post spawn and into august and early september

Bass fight club . They never talk about it so thats why you don't know.

I am waiting to hear back from some Micropterus experts on the subject.