You know how we like numbers and stats on this site, so thought I'd pass along another set for the site. Just this week the site passed the 20,000th page view mark and is currently averaging about 1,750 per month.
On another note, I had this pic sent to me this week wondering what the baseball like growth was on this bass. There are no guarantees without having it verified by a path lab like the one at Purdue University, but it is most like a tumor of some sort. Tumors in fish are usually considered non-infectious and can be either genetically predisposed or a result of some type of environmental contaminant such as some metals or chemical compunds in the water. Certain types of infections can also lead to abnormal swelling of organs or other body parts. Fish tumors can also either be malignant or benign, again requiring an examination and biopsy to know for sure. Looks kind of painful either way. You can read a bit more about common fish diseases and parasites in the 2008 Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory Booklet (see Page 7 for tumors) found at the link.
That looks like a Golf Course Pond. Could it be that this buldge are. . . .
On a serious note (maybe) if a World Record Bass has a tumor, would the weight of the tumor be deducted from qualification?
Posted by: Richard Ziert | July 24, 2008 at 09:38 PM
I have to admit that that was one of the first thoughts that ran through my mind. After closer examination of the photo, it appears to me that the 'bulge' is definitely to one side of the fish and not centered.
And speaking of the WR and weight of the tumor, I believe it was Defresco's (sp?) Cali bass that had the 1.5# divers weight in it but Cali accepted that weight as the official fish weight in its record books at the time (still stands to my knowledge). There was lots of talk one time of the WR smallie being artificially weighted (sinkers down the throat). If a guy really wanted to cheat, given the advent and popularity of tungsten weights and their better weight to size profile, how easy would it be for an angler to "drop" 1 1-oz. weight into each bass he caught for weigh-in now days? With a 5 fish limit you're talking 5 ounces per day added to your total weight, or 15 ounces over the course of a 3 day tourney. As my favorite geometry teacher used to say, "That do make a difference".
Posted by: Big Indiana Bass | July 25, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Congratulations, Brian. You have developed a truy interesting, thoughtful site. I've been enjoying it.
As to the fish in the photo -I do wonder if it may have swallowed a golf ball, and it was walled off by tissue. It's awfully round. Of course that would be a big bass that could swallow a golf ball.
Posted by: Paul Roberts | July 26, 2008 at 08:14 AM