Why Some Bass Get "bugged Out" Eyes?

[dcorp]

I have caught a few bigger bass that look like their eyes are popping out of their head. Usually these fish are near or over 10lbs. I always thought it was related to a fish and it's size. But I recently caught a fish that was only 6.5lbs and had the same issue. Looked like an old fish so I am wondering if it's due to age or size or something else?

[MultiSpeciesFisherman]

I believe what you are referring to is popeye disease. I am an aquarist and have some experience with it. Here is a good article:

http://freshwatercichlids.com/pop-eye-fish-disease

It's pretty common for bass in captivity to develop popeye, and this can be observed at any public aquarium or Bass Pro Shops. I'm sure that some of the contributing factors in captivity would also apply to wild fish.

[slonezp]

I have heard it's from old age

[KevO]

I have heard it's from old age

x2

[North Ga Hillbilly]

old fish, big eyes. Their eyes continue to grow throughout their lives... From what I understand

NGaHB

[deep]

What Hillbilly and the 2 other guys said.

http://www.trophybassonly.com/12e55000.jpg

"This is perhaps my most outstanding catch. I believe this was my youngest "ten plus". Her eyes were not bugged out at all, (a characteristic of age---not size) and her fins were thin and sharp. This is the classic trout eater." - Fish Chris

[WRB]

I believe the eye problem is due to stress from either disease or being previously caught and mishandled.

When you catch a bass from deep water the eyes are severely stressed from pressure changes. It's true that the bass eyes continue to grow, but not out of perporsion to the fishes head size.

Bug eyed bass have a serious malady, it' not normal.

The big "old" bass I have caught all have normal size eyes, about the size of a quater, big eyes, not bugged out.

Tom