Poll Question. What Do You Think Caused This Damage to the Bluegill?

While filming this past fall on Lake Erie I came across a bluegill that had healed over from some really severe damage to its dorsal area. Curious what you best guess is that caused it.


https://rumble.com/v5xl5ct-survival-...66lt3&mc=9e0fe

I have seen many damaged fish, but nothing quite cut out like that

Engine or TM prop?

My guess is the Bluegill go hit by a prop.

Blue Herron

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bpicinc

My guess is the Bluegill go hit by a prop.

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:thumb up2:

Have caught several like that. Caused by pike or musky

Flouride in his water at a young age?

Cormorant ,, I see Crappie just like this.

Bird Strike

I just had my mind blown a little. Guy on another Lake Erie Forum said he caught that fish and posted picture. Pretty wild.
Attachment 562234

Those that guessed cormorant I think is a good possibility that I didn't think about. I've seen them choking down a 2 lb. bass before. Wish there was some kind of control on their numbers.

I'd say a bird, either a heron or a cormorant.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jiggerjake

Engine or TM prop?

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This!

I think it was a bird of some type at a younger age. But just clipped it.

I caught a musky one time at a local lake about 14 inches long maybe baseball bat diameter, something had bitten him from the bottom up and I could see his esophagus with a fish in it and this fish bit my lure and fought like crazy with that kind of wound

That there is a bluegill that survived being used for bait on a trotline, limbline or jugline. I used to use bluegill for bait when fishing for flathead cats, that is the exact location for inserting a 10 ought stainless steel hook. Insert a 10-12 ought stainless steel hook through the back just above the lateral line, flathead love em some bluegill.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muddywaters

That there is a bluegill that survived being used for bait on a trotline, limbline or jugline. I used to use bluegill for bait when fishing for flathead cats, that is the exact location for inserting a 10 ought stainless steel hook. Insert a 10-12 ought stainless steel hook through the back just above the lateral line, flathead love em some bluegill.

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I think that is a very good guess and quite possible. I didn't realize the live bait was hooked towards the back of the dorsal. Thanks

Lake Erie goliath goby.

Prop

https://i.postimg.cc/14MQxMWY/20201024-125913.jpg
I'm betting a blue heron almost had him.