Unique Markings On a Round Bull........6/23/2014

Comment

Comment by Nathanael Deloach on June 25, 2014 at 7:38pm

Once again another fine NC specimen Jeffrey!!

Kelly, you will actually do better for your body of water by keeping a fair share of females if it means you will be putting the good size males back in the water.  There is a lot of good information out there supporting the protection of the males but I think Tony Livingston sums it all up best in his great response on Mike's "whats a good keeper size" forum....the whole forum is a good read actually, check it out! :) 

Comment by Leo Nguyen on June 25, 2014 at 5:29pm

Kelly, questions are not stupid. Merely uninformed. Ask away. Never feel embarrass.

The ear-flap is the one next to the gill plate, which you are right. Ear-flap, beside the wide (from top to bottom) body built and vertical bars (distinctive traits of male), are looked at when other features are lacking. Male's earflaps are slightly longer and larger than female's. If the earflaps are happened to be chewed off by predators, the last two distinguish approach will be observing for the sex of the gill near the anal area. Quite difficult if it's not within the pre/post spawning period.

Comment by Kelly Peterson on June 25, 2014 at 5:12pm

Pardon me for asking stupid questions but what is their ear flap-the black looking thing on their gill plate? If so, then what does one look for?

I don't want to keep females if I can help it-have a really good little public lake with lots of good gils and don't want to wreck it by keeping them.

Comment by Leo Nguyen on June 25, 2014 at 5:05pm

Great looking flapjack. Looks like the colors are changing again.

Comment by dick tabbert on June 25, 2014 at 5:01pm

Basically the ear flap and coloring

Comment by Kelly Peterson on June 25, 2014 at 4:47pm

Guys, how do you tell it is a female or male?

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on June 25, 2014 at 4:41pm

Good fighter for sure Dick.......

Comment by dick tabbert on June 23, 2014 at 3:02pm

Wide bodied Male.