Howzit guys Was sorting out my photos when I

M

Mombakkie

Senior Member
Howzit guys

Was sorting out my photos when I just happened to notice something. Don’t know whether fish like smallmouth have a kind of "fingerprint" or not but take a look at the two photos.

The one was a 3.4kg fish caught in the 2007 winter classic at Clanwilliam and the other a fish caught earlier this year. Think it weighed 3.56kg

11me1iv.jpg


1pc9l4.jpg


 

Tell me what you think.

 
 
G

Gerhard

Sealiner
Looks a lot like the same fish....

Would be interesting to know if the fish was caught near the same structure....
 
D

DJP

Sealiner
Wow, well spotted Mombakkie! Those fish do look very similar. I just quikly scanned trough the markings and cant find one that doesn't match.
 
M

Mombakkie

Senior Member
If it is the same fish it exposes some quite valuable information.

How much the fish grew over a +- 2 year period (of course whether the fish had spawned yet or not when it was caught would influence that).
The fish survived a catch release with weigh-in 2 years before.
Could also be an indication that there aren't many fish of that size in Clanwilliam.
If the fish was caught in the same area it would mean that the fish returned there after being caught and taken to a weigh-in.

A lot could be learnt if the 2 photos are of the same fish.
 
M

Mombakkie

Senior Member
Just to pick up on this story again ....... after doing a bit of research it appears that fish markings are like fingerprints. Hence can be used to identify individual fish.

After gathering some info I found out that the fish in the photos was caught in exactly the same area. One in 2007 and other this year both around same time of the year.

Studying the markings on the fish it appears to me be the same fish. If so, having the weight on both occations would mean that the fish gained aprox 155g during that period. Aproximately because stomach contents and egg load may vary at time of weighing. Nevertheless, first time caught it was livewelled more than 10 km to weigh-in, photographed and released. It survived that and returned to the same area and was caught again this year.

If all smallmouth bass behave in this manner then this is some astounding information and many conclusions can be drawn.

I have often caught a fish in a particular spot of a certain size only to catch a very similar size fish there the next time. From now on I'll be taking note of any special markings to see whether there may be any truth in these findings.

 
 
S

Southpaw

New member
very interesting, so if you know where that spot is then you should keep it to yourself and catch a monster smallie this time next year
 
M

Monster

Senior Member
Dis 'n moerse smallie, baie geluk!! en as jy hom twee keer gevang het. Is dit nog even meer impressive!
 
M

Monster

Senior Member
Dis 'n moerse smallie, baie geluk!! en as jy hom twee keer gevang het. Is dit nog even meer impressive!
 
M

Monster

Senior Member
Dis 'n moerse smallie, baie geluk!! en as jy hom twee keer gevang het. Is dit nog even meer impressive!
 
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