The Food Chain

Last night we were on the South Fork of the Little Red River (Johnson Hole) collecting fish tissue samples for murcury testing for ADEQ. One of the fish collected was a 3 pound largemouth bass with a fishing line hanging out of her mouth and a noticeable bulge in her gut. While removing a fillet (for testing by ADEQ) I discovered the large bulge was a 6 inch bluegill. I just happen to cut into the bluegill while removing the fillet and saw that there was a small crayfish in the bluegill next to a small brim hook that was in the bluegill's gut!

So how did this happen? My guess is that an angler was fishing with a small crayfish on a small brim hook and he caught a decent sized bluegill. As he was reeling in his catch, a 3 pound bass snatched the struggling bluegill into his mouth. As the suprised angler fought the bass, the 4 pound mono on his rod snapped and the bass got an easy meal. As I was recreating this sinario with my office manager (who was helping record data), I realized that I was a big time fish nerd. She got a kick out of how excited I was to discover this.

I'm sure others have had similar experiences like this. Feel free to share them. This fish nerd wants to hear about it. Thanks.
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I caught a bass once at White Oak Lake while reeling in a small bluegill. Also caught a Muskie in Canada one time that hit a smallmouth bass I was reeling in and refused to turn it loose until I got a net under it. Turned him loose, but it was an experience to say the least. That thing literally tore that smallmouth to shreds! GTT

Caught a smallmouth up here on eleven point river several summers ago that had a small snake in its mouth it had regurgitated. Not to get off topic but I'm terrified of snakes!!

Matt, this is not related to the food chain but does have something in common with your story. The largest crappie that I have ever caught had a piece of line and a yellow and white jig hanging out of her mouth. From the coloration of the line and jig skirt it appeared they had been there for some time. The fish weighed three pounds and seven ounces and come from the muddy waters of Grenada.

when fishing bedding bluegill back when my son was 8 or so hooked big BG and handed rod to my son while he was playing him a big bass came up and sucked it in. he played that for several minutes and brought it in. Bass was never hooked but wouldn't let gill go. Took one of my fav pics with son and tossed it back. gills sides were crushed where bass had grabbed it.

also while up in Canada fishing hooked small pike and was playing it when HUGE pike came up and grabbed it. played it for several minutes and it did let go at the boat.

Jerry Blake and I were on the same brush pile a few years ago. His client drug in a 2 lbs bass which landed in his lap. Jerry said he thought he saw a bream somewhere. It was hanging over the side. The bass hit the bream as it was being reeled in. DP

I caught a Catfish with a Crappie jig hanging out his rectum . Caught a good Crappie with an old jig hanging in his jaw . Two friends fishing and Catfish had taken both lines . :Rofl

Was fishing a BASS Tour on lake Ouachita. Had my limit of 7 fish weighed 20 lbs new I was in the money needed a big fish to seal the deal!!Against the Best in the world. Went to one of my big fish spot's had caught several 10 lb'ers,Got to the spot a boat was already their anchored fishing the Guy in the boat said.If you hook a big fish check it I lost a rod and reel my son inlaw gave me.I laughed and started casting a big DD10 Crankbait looking for a Big Bass.I cast out beyond the Big Rock cranked the bait down to 10-15' a fish almost took the rod out of my hand's hitting the crankbait so hard.I set the hook fought the big fish out in deep water 100'.Cranked her in I said to my partner this is a big money fish.Make sure she don't get away"no net's" in BASS competition .Got her up to the boat was a 10 lb striper!! I was furious should have been a 10 lb largemouth.My boat partner pulled it in the boat and it had a gold hook stuck in its mouth!! Line still attached!!Pulled the line in had a Daiwa Baitcast matching rod and reel.Went up to the gentlemen in the anchored boat ask him if it was his.He said it was!!We became good friend's still fish together today!!Did not win the tournament had 20 lb not enough against some of the best in the world but was in the top ten money.

That's a great story Jackie!

Chris

Never got three steps into it like you did but I was fly fishing in a float tube during the summer with a small popper and had a decent bream on and then all of the sudden boom my line goes screaming and talk about a little freaked out in a float tube but finally got it up close to me and it was about a 6 lb bass that grabbed the bream but he spit it out when I was trying to net it talk about a fight with a 5 weight rod. Also have seen about a 4 lb bass floating on top of the water and pull up to it only to find about a 12 inch crappie lodged in its mouth. Crazy thing is pulled the crappie out and they both swam off!