Leaches in Lake Tarpon?

[Panichunter]

I caught 2 fish shallow that both had what appeared to be leaches stuck on the inside of their mouths. Is this a normal thing down here?

IMG_20181208_120111.jpg

Edit - not sure why the pic wont show but the link works.

[BassCatBrad]

Very normal. Not sure if those are leaches or what. But I catch a ton of healthy bass with them in their mouth.

[cwilt]

Yup! Normal, especially in the shallows.

[250bassFL]

Guess I don't pay much attention. Been fishing central florida waters since the age of 8. The very few times I have noticed them, I thought it was strange.

[Casslaw]

I see them a lot in areas that don’t have hard bottom, swamp bass!

[Lou22]

Yep.. Very normal.

[Fistacuffs]

Very common on bass throughout Florida. I catch tons of fish on okeechobee and the stickmarsh with leeches on their tongue or the roof of their mouth.

[earthworm77]

I see them on the Rainbow all the time.