Whats up with this?? caught a couple like this today.

I cant remember what type of genetic trait is is, anyone into ball pythons could tell you, but its a genetic trait that will pop up in reptiles, and in turn fish as well. Very cool stuff

I attached a pic of a LM with the same thing, not caught by me, tho there is one in a cove near my house with what looks like a mustache, but refuses to bite.

NGaHB

We see this quite often with deep water smallies up here too.

Here is a pic of a LMB with the same type of spots that I caught with a buddy on a small local lake. I spoke to a local bait & tackle shop owner & he told me pretty much the same thing, its a type of genetic trait, or defect as he put it, that pops up ocassionally in fish. In Florida strain LMB there is another genetic trait that pops up occasionally, they call them "Stubnose Bass", they have a stubby upper jaw with their lower jaw protruding. Both pretty interesting.

It's classified as hyperpigmented melanosis. It can be environmental or related to catch and release, or just "is". There's no real research that's been conclusive as to the cause. There's also not a lot of data that suggests they are permanent, in fact, most smallmouth seem not to hold the patterns for more than a year or two. From what they do know of it, it isn't a genetic occurrence.

Out of the 100 or so smallies I have caught thus far this year, probably 10-15% of them had black spots. We see fish with them every year at this time, then as the water warms the spots tend to disappear (or become less frequent).

I've witnessed that too and last season I lost one at the boat that was half and half, the front was normal and from behind the dorsal fin back it was completely black! My heart was broke after losing that fish as I've seen the spots but never an entire section.

They having ink fights.....LOL

I catch them from time to time looking like that too.

Here is a pic of a LMB with the same type of spots that I caught with a buddy on a small local lake. I spoke to a local bait & tackle shop owner & he told me pretty much the same thing, its a type of genetic trait, or defect as he put it, that pops up ocassionally in fish. In Florida strain LMB there is another genetic trait that pops up occasionally, they call them "Stubnose Bass", they have a stubby upper jaw with their lower jaw protruding. Both pretty interesting.

Is this what you mean by Stubnose? I caught it Friday. Thought it looked odd...