Bass behavior question

[pontooner]

I went to a friends new pond (about a year old) the other day and he had a piece of pvc tubing stuck down in the pond bottom out about 7 feet from the bank with about 6 inches sticking above the water that he is using to keep up with the water levels and I noticed every now and then you could see it shake a little and of course it would make a water ripple. So I snuck over and watched to see what was going on and there were a couple of bass that would swim by and rub/strike it with their sides.

We were wondering why they were doing this and after spending way too long on the internet trying to find it and learning about every kind of fish cooking rub known to man LOL I figuered someone here would know.

Also the largest bass in the pond is proably about 10 inches long if that's important.

[sglass]

I have no clue. Maybe they were hitting it to rattle up crawfish under it?? I have seen spots and smallmouth wading creeks in Pike Co. turn sideways on the bottom, smack rocks with thier mouths and eat crawfish that swim out.

[CrankBaitKilla]

I have had aquarium fish for a number of years and they would do this stuff in the tank. Of course they were tropical fish, but a fish is a fish. What I read is that they do this when the water is a little to acidic they are basically scratching themselves. Not sure that's what the BASS in that pond were doing, but it's just my guess. Being a new pond the water may not just be right yet and it is causing there scales to itch.

[crappiepappy]

I have had aquarium fish for a number of years and they would do this stuff in the tank. Of course they were tropical fish, but a fish is a fish. What I read is that they do this when the water is a little to acidic they are basically scratching themselves. Not sure that's what the BASS in that pond were doing, but it's just my guess. Being a new pond the water may not just be right yet and it is causing there scales to itch.

You may be on to something, "Killa". I've had Crappie, Bluegill, & Warmouth in my 40gal aquarium ... and a cedar stump for cover. They've all done the same thing, against the stump &/or against the gravel bottom. I believe it's their way of knocking off parasites, or "scratching" themselves.

... pappy

[JD7.62]

Fish scratch and rub just like any other animal. Also they do it when the need to dislodge any debris from their gills.

[pontooner]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Looks like he has some itchy bass. Is it anything at all to be worried about?

It was interesting watching several of them taking turns smacking the pole.

Thanks again