I went fishing at a private lake (please dont ask what lake) and caught tons of bass ranging from 2 to 4 pounds using a five inch natural shad color senko. The crazy part of my couple of hours at this lake was what was in one of the basses mouth. I thought it was a messed up crawdad, but after a closer look, it was a BIRD. In the picture (if you look hard) you can make out the skull and wings. I have heard of bass eating birds before, but never seen the proof. Well here it is. All bass were released unharmed of course.

that doesnt look anything like a brid to me

that doesn't look like a bird to me either. It looks like a frog...

Actually Bass have been known to eat small ducks, birds, etc. This could have been a small bird that it spit up from it's belly, but looks more like a digested frog to me.

Vince
vince@theblankslate.com

I can't tell what it is

if you look in the Bottom right hand corner you can see the guys line........follow the line up and you can see it in the bass' mouth in the left side. the line goes down and end at the "bird" it sort of looks like the bass got your bait in the throat.

I was thinking the same thing. Looks like the fish was hooked in the throat. As to whats in its mouth....Your guess is as good as mine. You absolutely have to be on the ball when throwing those Senkos. Bass really seem to eat them quick if you dont setup on em. Just my .02.



Tight Lines,


Clay

Big fish secret #1 yes that is a bird and #2 I find a bunch of bigger fish hanging around Cliff Swallow nests !!" Bob Measly's black doves!"
I often fish bird related patterns...These birds fall in the lake just like off of your eves into the lake or out from under your eves andinto your parking lot etc. etc. and while they are busy flopping around "WHAM" mother nature steps in. I have seen bass eat a lot of stange things in my day....Anybody remember the 2 1/2 pound diving weight that was in the biggun in San Diego? Must have been the fall rate!! ????

Kelly

I remember reading another forum about a guy fishing the delta and seeing a mother duck swimming across a slough with 5 ducklings in tow. All of a sudden WHAM, big splash, and then there were 4. He said the mother duck swam around frantically in a circle quacking for her lost one. Regarding deep hooking while fishing senkos... I find that by crimping the barb on the hook closed I can rotate the hook and it slips out easily. In the last dozen or so senko fish I only lost one by this method. And that may not even have been why it came unbuttoned. Set hard and get them under control quickly. My 2 cents.

Steve W

I have a spot in one of the backwaters at the Colorado River where a swallows(?) nest has been built under a large overhanging rock. It's there every year and every year I catch one or two good fish by tossing up under that nest. I'm almost positive the fish are waiting for one of the little critters to test out their water wings.

As I mentioned all fish were released unharmed. There was no blood from the fish from the gut shot. I did cut the line close to the hook to prevent the fish from bleeding.

This one caught me off guard. I made a long cast towards the tules and didnt even feel or see the line tick. I usually get a good lip hook set, but this guy was fast.

Thanks for support Kel. It was indeed a bird in there!! I could of taken the bird out and taken pix's of the remains, but that would of been too gross!!! yuck!!!

Keep it on the down low or we might have an addition to the hover lure on our hands. I can see it now, little duckling trailers and all, LOL.

Instead of a "Pop R" we'll have a "Quack R". Instead of a "Sammy" we'll have a "Donald". Instead of a ... OK, I'll stop!

Someone has beat you to the punch

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0000320113281a&navAction=push&navCount=3&indexId=cat90001&podId=0000320&catalogCode=IC&parentId=cat90001&parentType=index&rid=

Hey Rude,

I just had to take a second look at that pic, and you are absolutely right. That sure looks like a bird skull to me. And dont get me wrong, I am not innocent of hooking fish in the throat while fishing Senko's. I have not lost a fish in sometime though. I also bend the barb down as suggested, and it definately helps to remove the deep hooks. I will insert needlenose pliers through the gill plate and rotate the hook out. Works like a charm.


Tight Lines,

Clay

I just cut the line when that happens (deep hook)

As you've heard it rusts out in a few days because of the fish's enzymes

LMAO! Thanks for the link!