Parasites On Smallmouth....only ?

[fishinwrench]

Hit a creek today that was kinda choked up with algae (cow farm upstream). I caught Smallmouth, Largemouth, and some really big green sunfish. All the Smallies had little black specks in all their fins and tails and a couple had small leeches attached to their gill plates. They seemed healthy as far as color/size/weight, but I don't understand why the Largemouth and Sunnies were clean of the parasites. None of the LM's or Sunfish had a single speck on them....but the Smallies were pretty much ate up with them.

Any ideas ?

[Gavin]

Dunno why but those little black flecks seem to be pretty common on early season smallmouth...maybe its a social disease they aquire when they are stacked up together in their winter hidey holes?

[FishinCricket]

Hit a creek today that was kinda choked up with algae (cow farm upstream). I caught Smallmouth, Largemouth, and some really big green sunfish. All the Smallies had little black specks in all their fins and tails and a couple had small leeches attached to their gill plates. They seemed healthy as far as color/size/weight, but I don't understand why the Largemouth and Sunnies were clean of the parasites. None of the LM's or Sunfish had a single speck on them....but the Smallies were pretty much ate up with them.

Any ideas ?

Well it sure ain't cause they taste better! You should be glad you throw em back, those smallies taste like crap! The bigger they are, the worst they taste, too!

hehe (I got no real ideas, LOL)

[laker67]

Hit a creek today that was kinda choked up with algae (cow farm upstream). I caught Smallmouth, Largemouth, and some really big green sunfish. All the Smallies had little black specks in all their fins and tails and a couple had small leeches attached to their gill plates. They seemed healthy as far as color/size/weight, but I don't understand why the Largemouth and Sunnies were clean of the parasites. None of the LM's or Sunfish had a single speck on them....but the Smallies were pretty much ate up with them.

Any ideas ?

According to google, it is called black spot disease. The parasite host are birds. When they poop in the water, the parasite finds a new host such as fish, snails, etc. They say it is not harmful to humans if cooked properly. I guess if you like sushi bass, you might end up with the black spots as well.

[fishinwrench]

Yeah, I've seen them on fish before, just thought it was odd (and a little disturbing) that the only fish in the creek that had them were the Smallies (10 to 13 inchers).

I couldn't believe the size of some of the green Sunfish I caught... they were pounders, big enough to inhale a 4 inch fur strip muddler on a #2 hook