That is a question that many anglers have asked themselves at least once or twice.

So what causes these dark blotches or spots on the skin of bass? Well, nobody really knows exactly but it’s called melanosis (melanin is a black pigment in the skin cells of fish) and the general consensus from longtime professional anglers and biologists is that it is from fish that have an increase in sun exposure and that often times it is a sign of a healthy bass in healthy waters. The spots could be caused by something that is genetic and the fish may be born with the splotches at birth. It could also be viral or related to environmental factors unique to that particular body of water.

Here are some ways people often try to describe these fish to others:

• Bass with oil spots
• Blotchy Bass
• Dalmatian largemouth bass
• Bass with black spots
• Camouflage bass

Is the bass infected?

No, the bass is not infected. When melanosis occurs it is just an increase in the melanin in the skin.

Can I get it?

No, the melanosis is not contractible from fish.

Chasebaits MUDBUG in package (click to enlarge)

The MUDBUG by Chasebaits draws on the latest technologies to create one of the most life-like craws on the market. The lure features a detailed but durable body, made of tough TPE material, and utilizes a wire weed guard to cover a razor sharp hook. To top things off – the MUDBUG craw’s jig lead weight has been molded into an “egg sack” that blends seamlessly with the body to create an ultra realistic profile.

The Chasebaits MUDBUG has:

• Floating Claws
• Molded Lead Weight
• Wire Weed Guard
• Vibration Leg Action
• Thumping Tail

The MUDBUG comes in two sizes: 2.75″ (.49oz, 3/0 hook) and 3.75″ (1.50oz – 5/0 hook)

The MUDBUG comes in 6 colors: Blue Night, Grape, Melon, Native, Pumpkin Seed, Rusty

Largemouth Bass Caught With MUDBUG by Chasebaits

How To Fish It: The MUDBUG can be fished in many different ways: dead stick (let sit on the bottom without reeling in) since the lure naturally lands in a defensive position, or slowly crawl it around the shallows and structure.

This lure is typically used for bass but could prove effective on the following species:
Freshwater: Small mouth Bass, Large mouth, Trout, Catfish, Panfish, Walleye, Bowfin
Saltwater: Redfish, Drum, Snook, Any saltwater species that feed on crustaceans

Price: $10.99 on TackleWarehouse

STORAGE TIP – MUST READ! – Via a @Chasebaits_USA instagram post, “We use TPE (or 10X) in a number of our products as it is an ultra-tough, super stretchy and durable material… The only drawback? Due to the unique chemical properties of the material, it can react and melt if stored touching non TPE plastics. Where possible, store your TPE lure in the original packaging. This is the safest option.
TPE can also react if stored directly in certain tackle boxes or containers, so keep an eye on your stored product for a reaction within 24 hours. REMEMBER: You can store TPE products together, but they must be kept separate from other Non TPE plastics.”

Is It Worth It? Mostly Yes, and a little No. For the yes, this lure is life-like, falls and acts like a crawfish in every way. The movement of the lure is incredible and a gentle tug gives the mudbug an alert defensive appearance that bass find interesting and drawn to. Fish attack this thing. The wire guard gets beat up a little after the first catch or two but the overall ruggedness of this lure was impressive. And for the no, well, this lure lasted 2 trips before being snagged and broken off – there goes $11.

VIDEO of Largmeouth Bass Attacking MUDBUG craw lure

1. Santa and his elf in the “Happy Holidays!” fishing boat.

via joeyz51 Flickr

2. Santa Claus fishing: Sarasota, Florida.

via State Library and Archives of Florida Flickr

3. This ornament depicts how Santa may dress before or after the big day while getting a line wet.

Fishing Santa via capcase Flickr

4. Santa with a HUGE largemouth bass.

Santa Claus holding a big fish By robsonltc – Shutterstock

5. Santa slaying a bass!

Santa Bass Fishing – via Tom Newsom

Here are four scenarios – from photos shared on Facebook – of “all black” or melanistic largemouth bass.

Photo cred: Colton Holman

Photo cred: Justin Knox

Photo cred: Rex Mcllhaney

Photo cred: Glenda Flenniken Campbell

There are also known occurrences of melanistic animals in nature – such as this melanistic whitetail deer:

The organization was founded in 1976, still accepts members, and publishes the NFLCC Magazine twice a year. The primary mission of the non-profit is, “to promote the awareness of tackle collecting as a hobby, the preservation of vintage and collectible tackle information, history, and artifacts; to provide appropriate services, support information, and related activities to the NFLCC membership in pursuit of tackle collecting.”

Reference Website: http://www.nflcc.org/index.php

BIC Lighter Largemouth Bass

You can also purchase specialty BIC lighters (like the one above) which look custom but are made by the company and only a few dollars.

#1a Manabu Kurita

Rank: 1a*

Weight: 22.311 lbs

Angler: Manabu Kurita

Location: Lake Biwa, Shiga, Japan

Date: July 2, 2009

*Manabu Kurita officially tied Perry’s record from 1932 but his fish did not weigh 2 ounces more than Perry’s so it did not officially beat it.

Rank: 1b*

Weight: 22.25 lbs

Angler: George Perry

Location: Montgomery Lake, Georgia, USA

Date: June 2, 1932

#3 Bob Crupi

Rank: 3

Weight: 22.01 lbs

Angler: Robert “Bob” Crupi

Location: Castaic Lake, California, USA

Date: March 12, 1991

Bob caught his record bass using a live crayfish as bait.

Rank: 4

Weight: 21.75 lbs

Angler: Michael Arujo

Location: Castaic Lake, California, USA

Date: March 5, 1991

#5 Jed Dickerson

Rank: 5

Weight: 21.688 lbs

Angler: Jed Dickerson

Location: Lake Dixon, California, USA

Date: May 31, 2003

The fish that Jed caught was the famous Dottie. She was caught by Mike Long two years earlier weighing 20.75 lbs. She is one of the most popular bass to ever lived and widely considered to be the biggest.

#6 Raymond Easley

Rank: 6

Weight: 21.2 lbs

Angler: Raymond Easley

Location: Lake Casitas, California, USA

Date: March 4, 1980

#7 Robert Crupi

Rank: 7

Weight: 21.01 lbs

Angler: Robert “Bob” Crupi

Location: Castaic Lake, California, USA

Date: March 9, 1990

#8 Dave Zimmerlee

Rank: 8*

Weight: 20.938

Angler: Dave Zimmerlee

Location: Miramar Reservoir, California, USA

Date: June 23, 1973

*Several anglers claimed to have seen Zimmerlee pull the dying bass from the water instead of actually catching it. Zimmerlee denied those claims and was featured on the cover of Bassmaster a few months later.

#9 Leo Torres

Rank: 9

Weight: 20.86 lbs

Angler: Leo Torres

Location: Castaic Lake, California, USA

Date: February 4, 1990

#10 Mike Long

Rank: 10

Weight: 20.75 lbs

Angler: Mike Long

Location: Lake Dixon, California, USA

Date: April 27, 2001

Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits Zako Sample Pack

The Zako was launched by Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits in 2017 and was designed by professional angler Brett Hite. This bait mimics bluegill and shad with a more rounded belly and is typically fished as a swimbait trailer or by flipping. The small accordion-like tail closely resembles baitfish and improves hookset ratios by folding in on itself. While fishing with the lure before it was named, Brett often referred to it as, “my little fish” – “Zako” means “little fish” in Japanese and hence how the name was born.

The Gary Yamamoto crew gave out some new product samples during the 2017 Bassmaster Classic in Houston, Texas. Anglers and fans also had the opportunity to meet and take a selfie with the legend (Gary) himself.

Zako Rigging
The Zako is described as the perfect swimbait trailer for a vibrating jig (aka chatterbait). The second most popular way to rig the Zako (and one that is quickly gaining momentum) is simply Texas-rigging it for flipping.

Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits Zako Soft Plastic Lure

Zako Size Selection

Only available in the 4 inch length.

Zenko Color Selection

The Zako is offered in 15 different color/glitter combinations: Black w/blue flake (021), Pumpkin Pepper (297), Chartreuse Shad (909), Electric Shad (973), Rainbow Shad (992), Cream White (036), Disco Green (375), Green Pumpkin/Lemon laminate (929), Green Pumpkin/White laminate (981), Sight Flash (993), Tennessee Shad (994), 021/297 laminate (991), Watermelon w/copper/Orange w/red laminate (956), Watermelon/Lemon laminate (906), and Fading Watermelon Pepper (194J)