I know that Bass are one of the easiest fish to hold with your index finger and thumb, right in the mouth. I do it with every one I catch. I 95% of the time don't use the net, I just loft them in with the rod. Without letting them lay down on the bottom of the boat (to protect their slime barrier) I usually put one hand in the mouth to hold the fish, and the other hand to get the lure out. Weigh him up, throw him back. Easy as pie.
However... Call me a whiner or call me a pansy... But when those fish start to wiggle, flop, or jar around while I'm holding them in the air... It's like course grit sandpaper that just rips the skin apart on my thumb. And trust me I've got a firm firm grip on them. It's not like a slack barely grabbing his mouth kind of grip. I put my thumb in there and get a nice firm grip as to not drop him when he flops. Yesterday I was fishing a pond and had a 2 1/2 Lb Largemouth actually draw some blood on my thumb when he flopped in my grip. I was so surprised. This thread holds two questions...
Does anyone else notice Bass teeth being oddly sharp and a little intimidating?
Could it be that I just catch and hold so many bass, that now the skin on my thumb is weak and torn up, making it easier and easier for every bass to cut me? Lol
