Some sort of parasite in bass' mouth.

[Bazoo]

I caught this little guy, and it appears he has a worm or something in his mouth. Anyone know what this is?

 

 

 

[Team9nine]

Small parasitic leech, Myxobdella sp. or similar. Pretty common, and studies suggest they do no harm to the bass. Regularly saw them in the pond bass I used to catch in Indiana.

 

Study link

[Alex from GA]

A lot of the bass I catch in FL have them.

[T-Billy]

Lots of OH fish have 'em too. I caught a crappie with one the other day.

[Bazoo]

Thank's all, thank you @Team9nine