LB Kitty

[RedNekFishR]

Went out to Lincoln Beach today to have a little fun in the new (to me) boat, and see if I couldn't get a few tugs while I was at it. I was only able to get one cookie cutter cat in the boat, but one is better then none and it made it all worth it for me. I noticed some weird little worms or parasites on the under side of the fins and some along the tail anyone know what they are and if this is common?
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[GEEZER]

I dunno what the parasites are but am 99.9% sure they're harmless to us fisherfolk. Betcha the TubeDude will know.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000FF]Nothing to be concerned about. They are a small leech that attaches to the fins and undersides of several species in Utah Lake...especially during the winter when the fish are slow and tend to rest on or near the bottom. Not nearly as common later in the year. They do no real damage to the fish and are not transferable to humans. Routine filleting completely removes them.

Congrats on the kitty.
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[RedNekFishR]

I was hoping you would chime in and enlighten me. This explains why I have not seen these on the fish that I catch in the summer and fall. Thanks for info TB, I could only hope to be half as knowledgeable as you when it comes to Utah Lake or fishing in general for that matter.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF][cool]Always glad to help when I can. Thanks for the kindly comments.

By the time you have fished as much or as often as I have you should know a bit more than you do now. But one of the great things about fishing is that the learning part is a never-ending journey. I can honestly (and humbly) say that I learn new things on every trip.

Of course, at my age I keep having to learn the same things over and over. At least I think I do. I forget.

And just to let you know that you aren't the only one to ever catch a spring kitty with ugly "whiskers"...

[inline "LEECHES 2.jpg"]
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[CoyoteSpinner]

yep - gotta say it's not the fish that's rotten.


Seen similar slugs (usually around the dorsal fins) with red-marks to show where they'e been. But all on the outside. Matter of living in the mud - as TD suggesed.

I've caught cats with various scars of some previous damage. Facial wounds and scars that make you wonder - "what they been doing!"

A lot of the Salmon that have run rivers from the ocean show signs of damage and abuse - no surprise. Long road traveled.

Man - I'm thinking we need to bump up the Catfish start even earlier!

[danielc]

Lets do it, I hope the south gets in to it a little better than last year.
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