Anyone know whats causing this?

[Bucky205]

Is this from the spawn, or some type of parasite?

[ScottDB]

According to google its most likely bacteria called Epistylis or Physteria, it's not harmful to humans but can be transmitted to other bass if you don't wipe your hands before handling the next one.

[Deleted account]

That looks like an infection from injury or mishandling. Sadly we are seeing quite a bit of it in striped bass in the Chesepeake Bay, and some of the buggers responsible are dangerous to humans.

[2tall79]

If you can let them soak in a livewell with this additive, it does help.

 

http://www.sure-life.com/pro_CATCH_AND_RELEASE.html

[WRB]

9 minutes ago, 2tall79 said:

If you can let them soak in a livewell with this additive, it does help.

 

http://www.sure-life.com/pro_CATCH_AND_RELEASE.html

Please Release Me is the Sure-Life product with additives to heal heal skin infections, both a good.

Slim coat damage from boat carpets, nets and livewells can cause skin infections.

Tom

[geo g]

I have seen some wounds caused by gar in heavily infested areas.  They will sometimes cause a wounds that then becomes infected on bass.

[Bucky205]

Talked to Mike Holley one of the Alabama Fisheries biologist and he agreed with @ScottDB.  Either Epistylis or some type of bacterial infection that is harmless to humans.  He stated that a lot of fish pick up abrasions and lose slime from being hoisted into the boat and flopping against the carpet  The loss of slime makes them more susceptible to infections.  I had never heard about hoisting them causing issues, I hoist almost everything I catch unless they are very large.  He recommended grabbing the line after hoisting them aboard so the fish didn't flop and rub on the carpet, I am going to try and use that method if it's easier on the fish. Really nice guy, he spent almost an hour talking with me about our different reservoirs and what was going on with our fish.

[NCbassraider]

That's what happens to fish that are placed on marine carpeting or dirt and grass.  Not saying that's what happened to the fish in the pic above but I've seen fish that develop those same infections by being placed on the wrong surfaces.

[RoLo]

 

Those lesions could be caused by parasites, but it's my guess that they're due to a bacterial infection.

After the spawning season (right now) fish are most susceptible to bacterial infections.

 

Roger

 

[bigfruits]

slime coat damage can kill a fish. it protects them against infections. lip them or net them instead of flipping into the boat when not fishing for money. wet your hands when possible before handling. 

 

 

[WRB]

There is lots of reason why bass get infections, they live in water full of bacteria and infectious virus and desease. Thier slim coat and scales are their clothing to protect them, when a fisherman bounces them into a boat with carpet it's like you falling onto asphalt street without cloths, your skin gets scraped and wounded, so does the bass. The abrasions get infected and that is what the fish in the photo looks like.

Abrasions can be a natural cuase from spawning, male bass bite females to heard them to a nest or prevent from from entering a nest a male is guarding. The male bites are usually more of a bump and not a severe bite. Spawning is life and death for bass, it's not easy it's servival of the species.

Tom