Bluegill got attacked?

[tadmaz]

I was fishing for bluegill, got this one hooked, 7.5", then either it got seriously caught in some weeds or a northern or musky might have bit onto this poor guy. Some bluegill were diving down and then it was tough to pull them out with all the weeds. It felt like I snagged a log and at first there was some fight to it, then just felt like a log, then after a minute there was no tension and I pulled this guy out. Any ideas as to what happened? (judging by the injury in the picture, oh and the injury was only on one side of the bluegill, not both sides)

[Jiggin_Joe]

Yep thats what it looks like. I seen that happen 1 time when realing in a gill a northern clamped on to it.

JJ

[Illinoisgiller]

I think this happens quite a lot. The picture is a crappie that got hit pretty much the same as yours. There are muskies and northern in this lake
Illinoisgiller

[gabowman]

Looks like that fish was lucky to live to bite another day!

[Redy2Fish]

Are there snapping turtles in your area?

[Illinoisgiller]

ReadyToFish, If you were speaking of the crappie, yes we have snappers in Illinois, but I think this was a fish by the way it acted. It hit as the crappie was pulled off structure ,was shaking it's head and finally let go.
Never tell for sure of course. Mine was killed so I got one fillet. lol illinoisgiller

[silverside]

The private place I fish has loads of northern. We learned by accident that the best bait for a 40" northern is a 12" northern, lol. Many many times while reeling in a small one a larger one grabs it. Some don't let go until they hit the floor of the boat. We have caught many that never had a hook in them!

[Chowan]

this happend to me while bream fishing. big ole bass smoked it

[1Caprandy]

Bluecat ?

[stratosguy]

could also be a bowfin no bass could do that.

Bowfin