Smallmouth pic: What the heck is this?

[StumpDonkey]

Came across a pic this morning on bassforecast's Instagram

Caption says it's a Smallmouth with "Melanosis". Never heard of such a thing. Anybody else catch a bass that has this? Pretty cool lookin'... kinda looks camouflaged.

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[21XDC]

I have caught many SM and LM like that.

[yatesville88fan]

Cool looking fish.

[X - Pro]

Happens with largemouth too some times a few black markings other times more the elite guys always said they were healthy and large as a rule

[paul40269]

Caught one on Champlain that had that. Mike Tyson face tattoo.

[Winstondry]

Agree with Yatesville, that’s a really cool looking fish!

[TNsmalliesfan]

I’ve caught two like that from the Great Lakes.

[rjfulks]

Caught several from Lake Erie that have that.

[ProVle]

Maybe been "messing around" with a Peacock Bass! J/K

[ECobb91]

I’ve quite quite a few that have that coloring. Mostly see them on Lake Ontario but have caught a few on a local lake. Nothing to that level though that’s a cool fish

[wareagle24]

I've caught quite a few bass with black markings on them.

[clayshooter]

I’ve caught some with that before on the Ohio River, but never knew it had a name.!

[Rick McFaul]

We see largemouth like that on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The fish that have that coloration always seem to be extremely healthy and mean!

[BillsFan]

Looks like he's pissed about the results.

[DucksnBobs]

I caught 2 face last year. Baby little guy but had a cool half face.
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[Blue198]

Have caught quite a few on Erie......not to that extent though.

[limitlong]

Never caught a smallmouth with the dark markings but have caught many largemouth, usually at Smith Mountain Lake.

[shfishinsticks]

I've caught several on Erie with black markings similar.

[The Mountain Man]

Caught this one twice a week apart.
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[BillsFan]

Alot of us caught black marked Black Bass but that's definitely unique.