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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38 |
I haave noticed a number of my LMB's and bluegill appear to have cuts on teir sides with white stuff around them. I assume something is wounding them and the white stuff is part of the healing process. What could it be.. snapping turtles , blue heron, muskrat .. all of the above have been seen around the pond. I live in Nr. Virginia
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Redfishman, What do the "cuts" look like specifically? If they look like jab wounds you are looking at a Great Blue Heron that is jabbing your fish when they are in shallow water. Your fish can be expecially vunerable during spawning time. I can tell you from experience Herons will jab a fish much to big to eat. I guess it's a natural reflex for them to jab anything that moves regardless of the size. I have mostly eliminated this problem by running brightly colored catfish line in several strands about a foot over the waters edge where they wade in. I did have one last year that switched to fishing off of my pier, but he's not here anymore this year. I really don't know what happened to him!
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,939 Likes: 268
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,939 Likes: 268 |
Cecil, I have seen these wounds also (mostly on Golden Shiners) and believe them to be the work of a GBHeron. I watched him (we call him "Gollum" because he has big feet and eats raw fish) take out a 12" LMB last week - I was impressed and PO'd at the same time.
Sometimes the marks are parallel cuts, one on each side, sometimes a stab wound on top. I have been under the assumption that the white stuff was simple fish flesh with all the blood washed out, and that the fish still lethargically swimming around were waiting to die.
Anyone know what is the largest size fish a GBH can actually eat?
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,112 Likes: 478
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,112 Likes: 478 |
White stuff on wound could be fungus.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,075
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,075 |
I have to keep up my reputation...
If the cuts are 4 inches or so running vertically and look like a slice with a razor, then you better start looking for cormorants, aka water turkeys. This distinctive cut is left on those few fish who escape the predations of the worst bird ever known to this Earth..the water turkey.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,025 Likes: 1
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,025 Likes: 1 |
I knew Meadow had to chime in. Herons and Turkeys and Bears. OH! NO!
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,075
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,075 |
burgermeister,
I think someone took offense at my dislike for water turkeys...I've been de-starred :rolleyes:
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,025 Likes: 1
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,025 Likes: 1 |
Meadow, I tried to upgrade you, but to no avail. You always have very informative posts. Keep it up!
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 137
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 137 |
Cormorants are history when I see them , period. I will be the first to say that I am not politically correct and will go to the grave that way and those Hell birds need to die. Peace folks.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,902
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,902 |
ML, I dropped a few points myself as I gained another rating about the same time. Guess I tee'd him off too. I was just able to rate you though. You're looking bright now!
Pond Boss Subscriber & Books Owner
If you can read this ... thank a teacher. Since it's in english ... thank our military! Ric
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,025 Likes: 1
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,025 Likes: 1 |
That's why I opted not to be included in the political BS. Now shut up and fish!
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,939 Likes: 268
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,939 Likes: 268 |
I caught this GShiner yesterday with an apparent Heron strike on just the one side. I guess the fish zigged when the bird zagged and avoided capture while sustaining this cut. Many (30%?) of the LMB I catch have healed scars in very similar patterns - the same 60-70 degree angle. I have never seen a bass with a deep cut like this one - maybe their skin/scales are tougher (maybe I'm not catching the unlucky ones because they're dead). Meadowlark: How does this compare with WT damage marks?
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 187
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 187 |
I agree with Burgermeister !
Meadowlark , keep up the great posts .
Harvey
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,074
Member
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Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,074 |
ML is chasing tarpon down Mexico way at this time, but I'm sure he'll have some water turkey stories to share...
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,075
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,075 |
Man, have I got a water turkey story to share...and pictures to prove it if I can ever figure out the mystery of posting pictures.
Theo, the water turkey signature is similar, but is always just behind the fishes head after the gills running vertically much like you picture. Nasty cuts and ends up killing most of the fish eventually.
I found the ultimate water turkey rookery in Mexico. Let me just say that anyone that thinks water turkeys are/were endangered, needs to see this place. I'll post my story and pictures later. It was unbeliveable to go fly fishing for Tarpon and end up being asaulted by thousands of water turkeys...but the fishing was terrific anyhow.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,939 Likes: 268
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,939 Likes: 268 |
Ticket to Mexico - $200 Fishing License - $75 Fishing Gear - $500 Meadowlark going on vacation and being assaulted by Water Turkeys - priceless!
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 242
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 242 |
Theo,
In another post he's rambling something about "They're everywhere, they're everywhere".
Starting to sound a little paranoid if ya ask me. Hope he's not seeing them in his sleep..........
Mistakes are proof that you are trying.
Dan
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