Gimpy

[Chief Grey Bear]

This is one tough Ozark bass! Not only does it appear that he has a major birth defect, but it also appears that he has survived an illegal gigging adventure.

I'm sad to say, as evidence of the picture, this corner of the state now has at least one rouge gigger!

[Justin Spencer]

I'm trying to figure out how a single gigging attemt coul result in that scarring pattern.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Glad to know he's still swimming no matter what it was.

[moguy1973]

I'm trying to figure out how a single gigging attemt coul result in that scarring pattern.

Gimpy fish means slow swimmer means multiple gig attempts by a nearsighted gigger?

[Chief Grey Bear]

Well to be honest, I didn't think it looked like it was gigged. But that was what it looked most like and I didnt want to get into a big debate about it. The scars just don't line up or add up when you get to looking at them. I don't think.

I don't buy into the bird of prey. Unless that was one big woodpecker or a the bird its self was an anomaly. LOL!

Not dissing you Andy, just imagining a giant woodpecker attacking him!

[Al Agnew]

That could be from an otter. Tried to grab the bass across the back. Lower canines a little closer together than upper canines.

[Haris122]

I'm wondering if some of the backbone defects might not have been from something like it falling off a hook and on rocks or something while trying to get away. I remember hearing something of the sort about other fish on here getting back bone damage from being thrown or tossed onto the shore, and then somehow making it back into the water and healing up but with permanent marks of damage to the backbone.

[Chief Grey Bear]

That could be from an otter. Tried to grab the bass across the back. Lower canines a little closer together than upper canines.

Now that I can buy. Or at least some type of four legged predator. When you look at the scaring, to me, that makes the most sense. I have never seen an otter yet in these waters. Certainly doesn't mean they could not be present.

[bfishn]

Anyone that's spent much time at a fish hatchery has seen lots of cases of fish with deformed backbones (scoliosis). Out of the thousands of fry in a given hatch there are usually an inevitable few with such defects. They're easily removed in a hatchery setting, and usually don't make it to adults in a natural setting, being the easiest target for predators. This one just got by longer than most, and it looks like it just escaped another close call.

[Flysmallie]

It's obviously aliens.