What do you think caused this damage to this bluegill?

Bigbass201 · December 09, 2024, 11:53:06 AM

While doing some underwater filming on Lake Erie this past fall I came across a bluegill with a huge chunk out of its dorsal. What do you think caused it. I wish this forum had the ability to embed the video here. It's amazing this fish survived.

https://rumble.com/v5xl5ct-survival-what-caused-this-damage-to-this-bluegill.html?mref=66lt3&mc=9e0fe

Donald Garner · December 09, 2024, 12:00:14 PM

Rick thanks for sharing the video with us. I've caught bass, crappie, white bass and blue gills before just like that. It looks like to me he was caught by and eagle or another big bird etc. and was lucky to escape from the claws of the bird.

Bigbass201 · December 09, 2024, 02:20:12 PM

I think you are right. I wasn't sure if a snapping turtle, river otter, pike or muskie could do it. One that someone brought up was a cormorant. I think you are probably correct in thinking it came from some sort of fish eating water foul.

big g · December 09, 2024, 05:27:17 PM

Possibly a big gar!

Bigbass201 · December 09, 2024, 05:50:14 PM

Quote from: big g on December 09, 2024, 05:27:17 PMPossibly a big gar!

That's a good guess for sure. I had some send me a message when they use live bluegills for catfishing they hook them there. His thought was it could have been damaged by an angler fishing with it years ago. I thought that is one that never crossed my mind. I know guys in Florida use live shiners all the time. Anyone notice a shiner looking like that?

coldfront · December 10, 2024, 10:50:08 AM

blue heron possibly. cormorant.

my money is on 'death from above' and a predatory bird...

here's one from a few years back.

Bigbass201 · December 10, 2024, 06:29:13 PM

Quote from: coldfront on December 10, 2024, 10:50:08 AMblue heron possibly. cormorant.

my money is on 'death from above' and a predatory bird...

here's one from a few years back.

That bass sure did have a good sized chunk out of it.

topdsm0138 · December 21, 2024, 09:49:31 AM

FL bluegills are dang near bulletproof (unless eaten)

Bigbass201 · December 21, 2024, 05:14:05 PM

Quote from: topdsm0138 on December 21, 2024, 09:49:31 AMFL bluegills are dang near bulletproof (unless eaten)

I bet you get a really good filet off them. They are so much bigger down there for the most part.

Pat Dilling · December 22, 2024, 09:23:02 AM

I agree with it being a wading shore bird like a heron or egret. I have seen them grab some pretty big fish. And it could of happened when the fish was younger/smaller. Nice video!

Bigbass201 · December 22, 2024, 11:23:03 AM

Quote from: Pat Dilling on December 22, 2024, 09:23:02 AMI agree with it being a wading shore bird like a heron or egret. I have seen them grab some pretty big fish. And it could of happened when the fish was younger/smaller. Nice video!

They definitely could. Lake Erie has lots of cormorants too.

D.W. Verts · December 23, 2024, 09:46:33 PM

Otter?

Dale

Bigbass201 · December 24, 2024, 05:11:44 AM

Quote from: D.W. Verts on December 23, 2024, 09:46:33 PMOtter?

Dale

I have seen an otter before on this part of Lake Erie. It's possible.

D.W. Verts · December 25, 2024, 09:17:36 PM

Otter maim fish all the time around here. They don't go for a kill- they're like cats, and "play" with a fish. Pretty rough play tho'.

Dale

Bigbass201 · December 26, 2024, 05:27:43 AM

Quote from: D.W. Verts on December 25, 2024, 09:17:36 PMOtter maim fish all the time around here. They don't go for a kill- they're like cats, and "play" with a fish. Pretty rough play tho'.

Dale

That would certainly make sense then.