While fishing today, I saw a huge bass, 5+ pounds laying on its side at the base of a submerged log. I took a few casts without it moving, then it immediately righted itself and took off. Have any of you ever seen anything like this? I assume it was either sleeping, or possibly laying eggs, although I'd think it's a bit late for that here.

Bass don't normally lay on their sides, air bladder keeps them upright.

Bass sleep or become inactive in a suspended position.

Tom

Ive seen a catfish sleep.... Small shallow pond, bout 10 ft from the shoreline.... Clear as day, catfish just laying there motionless.... I casted a blob of stink bait and reeled it right infront of its nose... Sat there maybe 10 minutes, fish didnt move...... Even bumped the bait off its nose a few times, nothing

Thought maybe it was dead, so i snagged it with a trebble hook.... Well... Wasnt dead! That woke it up!

Conclusion:

Catfish sleep... Idk bout bass though?

 

The only experience I have had with sleeping bass, or at least I assume they were sleeping, was at a campground I used to go to. The bass would get right up next to the concrete piers at the marina and we would shine a flash light on them and after a few moments they would swim off. I've never seen one on it's side though, they were always upright.

Sounds like it was laying eggs. Big females will often lean to the side to lay their eggs, but there's generally a smaller male there too while they're laying eggs. 

There was probably a bed there and a male you couldn't see. They blend in really well sometimes.