What do you think these fish are doing?

[j-bass]

A couple of times that I have been out Ive come across what looks like bedding bass, but i'm not sure.  If I am creeping up slow enough and quiet enough, ive seen fish just floating near cover (almost always facing towards submerged brush just an inch or two away).  Generally when I notice them, there is about 2" of the fish's back sticking out of the water.  Sometimes they are still, sometimes they are slowly fanning.  It just seems strange, its too hot and too late in the season for a spawn.  Even when I get close to them, they don't spook too easily.  If I get too close they just slowly slip away.

BTW, Ive seen carp do something similar, but I know this is not carp by the shape and placement of the fins.

Anybody else seen this before or know what the heck I'm talking about.  Thanks.

-J

[nboucher]

Are you sure they're bass? LBH and I saw bluegills on beds recently.

[j-bass]

Got to be, these fish were at least 17-22" long.  There are only a few types of fish in these waters that get that size: bass, gar, white drum, and carp.  W/ the coloration and slotted dorsal fin, I don't believe it could be anything but a bass.  I'm going out this evening about 5:30 or so (once it starts to cool down a little) and   I'm going to take a push pole and my camera to see If I can sneak up on one and snap a pic.

[volman33]

they could just be old n tired...i dunno this is wierd ive never seen it before

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Me and my fishing partner have been seeing simialr stuff Could it be the hot water temps and low O2 in the shallows? Makin them sluggish when them come shallow to eat

[jtbassman]

I call it "fish with ticks on their back".  I love it when they get like that in the summer.  They act like there is something wrong with them, but if you can be sneaky enough, toss a jig up on the bank and slowly bring it right in front of their face, you'll find out there's nothing at all wrong with them.

[senile1]

I agree with jtbassman.  I can't say with certainty I know what these fish are doing but I have caught a few of them.  I think they're feeding on bugs and other food in the shallow cover.  In addition to jigs, I've pulled frogs, worms, and minnow baits in front of their face and caught some fish.  If they don't grab your lure stop it in their face, twitch it, jerk it, make it stand up and do a jig, etc.  And when they strike a topwater, make sure they have the bait before you set the hook.  It's really easy to set the hook too quickly when you can see them plain as day.