Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Small mouth Bass- red tail-Pics added

I cought a 14" SMB from a local river yesterday and it's tail and dorsal fin were a dull red color it almost looked bloody. Does anyone know why it would look this way?

I will post a pic as soon as I down load it.

This is usually caused by spawning... fanning out a nest in a rough bottom.

Pics added:

Really, I didn't think any smallies would be spawning this late. The water was 79 degrees?

The LMB were spawning about 3 weeks ago on this river.

I have seen other SMB with reddish fins. I think it is normal coloration for those in certain waters.

It's kind of weird because looking at the picture I notice he has red colors around his mouth as well.

Lived in city all my life..Just purchased 15 acres of land in the country for a homesite. Good clay soil, lots of ponds on surrounding properties close by. Where is best web-site for information on proper construction of a 1-2 acre pond for personal fishing? I want to arm myself with basic information before I hire a contractor. I have ordered a booklet from the NCRS, but I would like more info specifically for designing and building the "right" habitat for bass, bream, etc.

Dude, you are at it!!! Take your time and thoroughly look over all the options of this site. It takes awhile to figure all the topics offered. Someone with much more knowledge than I will surely walk you through the right steps. Welcome, and best of luck. Be patient. Bob-O

Hugh welcome to the PB forum. Bob-O is right you came to the right place. There is an entire section here on ponds construction : http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?category=2
We need to move this discussion to a new topic after Hugh sees these replies or we will never be able to find it under red-tail SMB.

Start with these

Water ,Dirt and Light

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=001945;p=1#000000

Site Selection --- BMR

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=001964;p=1#000000

Long thread on the process

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=002357;p=1

Try this one with Goose sounds and all -- Brettski Pond link.

http://www.libertynaturepreserve.com/p5.htm