Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Been seeing a lot of Largemouth with Red tails especially on the bottom of the tail like you would see during the spawn.  A  lot of the fish are coming from deeper water 15-22 feet.  Anyone else seeing this.  Going to shoot some photos tomorrow at our tournament if I see any.   Fish are very healthy just have red tails   Maybe they are using the tail to root the bottom for food.

Or they were Tuskeegee Airmen pilots in WWII.  Just sayin....

I've seen a few bass with red tails. May be late spawners or false spawners. Don't know what else would cause it as I haven't observed any other behavior.

Maybe they are holding in rough areas with current and their tail is worn from rubbing against an object??

Most of the fish came from the Carolina Rig spot you fished with me.  Deep water stuff.

I wonder if those are fish that have been handled a lot? Maybe been in and out of livewells?? Don't know.

I think you are right about them rooting up the bottom for bait, or maybe even when they come up real fast off the bottom to eat something above them it rubs when they "take off." Ive noticed what you are describing on lakes where some of the better fish live deep too.