Thread: Black spots and stains on fish................

This particular report comes from PA. However, I have read other, more in-depth reports on the condition.

PFBC 2012 Press Release - Bass with Black Spots

I've caught fish with spots like that, but not as pervasive, in the Chick. I always wrote it off to a natural color variance, but never really knew.
The roach people have mentioned is the mill roach, common in Virginia and Maryland tidewater. It is related to the golden shiners found further south. The pectoral fins are orange and they will come to a baited catfish hole. Maximum size is about 9". The mill roach is the best big bass bait you can get in tidewater. A 4-6" mill roach fished under a balloon on a 6/0 weedless hook will catch you a trophy, if you care to try. I gave up on them years ago because of too many gut hooked big fish. I would much rather release large fish unharmed so they can continue to breed.