Red Eyes

[T-rig]

I keep catching bass in certain spots with really red eyes! Is there a reason for this?

I allways thought that they are males but I might be wrong. Here's one from today:

[lmb7]

you know i really don't know what causes it my guess is different light or food possibly

[roadwarrior]

I don't think there is a reason. Color and tint vary is all bass populations. On the Tennessee River I catch a lot of spots that don't have any red and others that seem to shine. There does not seem to be any correlation with time of year or size of fish.  

[Zel]

I might be wrong, but I think the International Gamefish Association Species

Identification Guide indicates that all smallmouth have either red or orangish eyes.

But taking some license with George Orwell's Animal Farm All smallmouth have red eyes, but some are more red than others.

[Gotta Love It]

I don't have an answer but you could take some Visine eye drops next time and see if that gets rid of their red eyes  ;D

[SimonSays]

there's a listing on this site for a Redeye bass, possibly the one you have there

http://www.another site.com/fish/fish.cfm?ID=147

*edit*

for the life of me I can't get this darn link to paste properly for some reason, it's

another site

*

[Jimzee]

Nice Megabass Vision 110 you got there T-rig.....oh the bass is nice too! ;D

[scl]

I've read everything now!  Bringing Orwell into a fishing forum?  Priceless Napoleon!

[T-rig]

I might be wrong, but I think the International Gamefish Association Species

Identification Guide indicates that all smallmouth have either red or orangish eyes.

But taking some license with George Orwell's Animal Farm All smallmouth have red eyes, but some are more red than others.

Yes, but that is a largemouth! Also There are no redeye bass in this lake just true northern strain.

[T-rig]

Nice Megabass Vision 110 you got there T-rig.....oh the bass is nice too! ;D

Thanks, yeah those Vision 110 work great! I'm also catching alot walleye with them!

[Guest avid]

I think the red eyed bass happens the morning after too much vigorous spawning activity with a blue eyed bass.

[llPa1nll]

To be honest a Bass's eyes will turn a more noticeably vibrant reddish color as it nears its spawning time and slowly return to its natural color. From what I have been told and what I have witnessed out on the water...

[KenDammit28]

To be honest a Bass's eyes will turn a more noticeably vibrant reddish color as it nears its spawning time and slowly return to its natural color. From what I have been told and what I have witnessed out on the water...

I meant to reply with that.

I've read about that more than a few times around the way...and i've seen it, myself.  Its something to do with spawning..weird as it is.

[jeepcrazy]

I ran this by a Fisheries Biologist with the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries.

According to him it's a genetic variation and nothing to be worried about.  

[T-rig]

I ran this by a Fisheries Biologist with the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries.

According to him it's a genetic variation and nothing to be worried about.

I'm not worried about it! I was just wondering what causes it. The spawning theory sounds plausable.

[lilfish]

Too much Vodka  :

[mafishing21]

are those smith glasses. cause if they are i like your style no lie.

[RecMar8541]

does there seem to be any unusual plant life in the water?  say....um.......hemp for example?  could those be the elusive rock bass cousin....the stoner bass?  hehehehehehehe