I have been told that the smallies that have red eyes are the ones that just came up from deeper water early in the spring.  I don't believe this b/c I have caught smallies all year long that have red eyes.  So I was wondering if anyone knows why some have red eyes and other don't.  what causes this?  

Thanks Scott

Proper eye wear.... ;D 8-), that would help.

I have no idea, cause I too have seen that.

I don't know the answer, but it's not "deep water".  Most Kentucky bass have red eyes while some do not. Spots and smallmouth are the most closely related in the bass family, maybe the common genetics have something to do with it.  

It's kind of funny because they say red is a sign of weakness in the wild.  Well I swear a few Smallies that I have caught that had reddish eyes have been the meanest SOB's around.

I have seen pictures of the different species of bass and a redeye was one of them.I have seen alot of smallies with redeyes though,and if RW don't know than there is probally no explanation.

Maybe the red-eyed ones we catch have been smokin' a big fat one!  8-)