The best way to tell is to slaughter the fish and look at it's otolith. It will have rings like a tree to identify it's age. OK, that's too durn much trouble.

So, take a look at the relation of it's head to body condition. If the head looks kinda out of place for the body, it's an older skinny bass that has had or is having a tough time getting enough to eat. You'll have to look at some of them but it will begin to get pretty obvious to you.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa