Ive caught several in the same pond this year that were like this.

The fish appeared to be strong and fought hard when hooked.

Anyone got any idea what is wrong with the area near the tail?

I'm at work, so I can't access my textbooks right now. I will try to take a look tonight.  You might also want to send the pics to the TPWD as well.

I have no idea. If i was to guess it could be as serious as a tumor/cancer, or as simple as just a growth/mole.

It's an infection of some type. Check this out:

http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/2009/06/intersex-fish-research-update.html#comments

I just sent an email with pics to the local state fisheries rep.

Looks like an infection of some sort.

An infection was my 1st call, as well.  But there isn't any of the typical necrosis or redness you often see.  I seem to recall something similar in a pond koi in one of my books.  It wasn't a bacterial infection, either.

Hey....I've seen that fish before

looks lika a scar from an injury. Posibly a bird attack or a bigger fish or turtle etc tried to eat it.

I caught a fish, 6 lber. with a large lump. (See photo)

Looked like she swallowed a golf ball....tumor maybe???

Did Larry lay that one on the grass and remove its' slime coat?    :

I caught a fish, 6 lber. with a large lump. (See photo)

Looked like she swallowed a golf ball....tumor maybe???

(Arnold voice)... "IT IS NOT A TUMA!!!"

looks lika a scar from an injury. Posibly a bird attack or a bigger fish or turtle etc tried to eat it.

X2

As being an old fish farmer...but not of bass. It reminds me of a virus that trout get. It trout they were more red...hence the nick name Strawberry disease.

This looks very similar except for the reddness.  

Poor thing.   :'(

That was perfect TIN certainly could be someone laid it down and messed up its slime coat...  ;D

I caught a fish, 6 lber. with a large lump. (See photo)

Looked like she swallowed a golf ball....tumor maybe???

(Arnold voice)... "IT IS NOT A TUMA!!!"

;Dnice ;D

...as for your fish steez,

i have no idea... let me know what you find out though.

Let me ask? Did you catch this fish shallow and is it sandy where you are fishing? I'm not expert but when we catch fish like that it usually happens in the spring when the fish are in the shallows fanning.  My dad says sand gets underneath their scales and causes an irritation and kinna like a rash for fish.  Just a theory but I haven't researched it.

Let me ask? Did you catch this fish shallow and is it sandy where you are fishing? I'm not expert but when we catch fish like that it usually happens in the spring when the fish are in the shallows fanning. My dad says sand gets underneath their scales and causes an irritation and kinna like a rash for fish. Just a theory but I haven't researched it.

Caught it a few days ago (October) in 2-3' of water on a crankbait and the bottom of the pond is muddy.

Now thats a diseese or infection of some kind. Maybe its bass herpees

Nice big smallie though

Did Larry lay that one on the grass and remove its' slime coat? :

Ummmm please don't call PETA on me ;D

That was perfect TIN certainly could be someone laid it down and messed up its slime coat... ;D

I wonder who that could have been  

looks like a fungus

Well it turns out that one of my wifes uncles is a freshwater biologist and he has assured me that the condition as probably caused by handling the fish incorrectly therefore damaging the slim coat and causing the inflammed areas to form.  He could not stop stessing to me the importance of handling fish properly and to always try to wet your hands/fingers before touching a fish.  I told him I shore fish a lot and he suggested that I keep a small container of pond/lake water close by so I could wet my hand prior to touching a caught fish.   Fishing in a boat should be easier since you can simply dip your hand in the water before touching a fish.

BTW, the local Texas wildlife/fisheries rep never responded to my email or phone call, what a waste.

Steezy, with what you jus said, I wonder who else has caught this fish besides me and you.  When I caught it, it had the same swelled area and we were both in awww at what was happening with it.  I'll be sure and handle any other fish alot more carefully.