Ball of Fish

[WhalerSal]

I was lucky enough to be in St John USVI this past week. While on a snorkling party boat, We saw a 20 ft diameter ball of green/brown bait fish being hit by birds from up top, and sharks (I think lemon sharks?) underneath. It was amazing. The ball of fish was brownish/greenish, and dense as all hell. I would guess 100,000 fish. They were acting this way on their own as a defense mechanism I guess? The boat captains had never seen it.

Any insight as to why they do this? You ever seen this? I took pictures but they didnt really come out too well. I didn't know the proper settings on the camera to use, but I will post later.

[Trollnheel]

I'm thinking they ball up like that to give off the notion that its a really huge fish. I've seen stuff like this on the Discovery Channel, but never in person....my what a treat!!

[rchanner]

It was a "bait ball". I've never seen it in person, but I watched a show on Discovery where they had filmed it while a pod of Porpoises drove a bunch of baitfish into a ball just like you described and had a buffet. you're exactly right that balling up is a defense mechanism. (or so says Discovery)

[HOTSPOT]

Sounds like Spanish Sardines.

[WhalerSal]

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o295/Th...ce/IMG_0547.jpg

In the lower right hand of the photo, you can see one of the sharks barely...

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o295/Th...ce/IMG_0548.jpg

Sorry for the picture quality. The clarity and color were different in person. I wish I knew how to work the settings on the digital better...And yes, I guess the balling to make them appear like a bigger fish makes sense. Thanks guys.

[Trollnheel]

Nice pics! Everytime we cruise by one of those or even a grass line, my heart starts racing

[auguste]

Two years ago in OBX we saw a fish ball about 8 ft in diameter . . . the fish at the top were being pushed above the surface . . . we cast at the edges of the ball and hooked 4 tuna on light rigs . . . landed two

First and only fish ball I have ever seen

[Fishinspot]

Two years ago in OBX we saw a fish ball about 8 ft in diameter . . . the fish at the top were being pushed above the surface . . . we cast at the edges of the ball and hooked 4 tuna on light rigs . . . landed two

First and only fish ball I have ever seen

Great place to catch hungry fish!!!

[onejacker]

If thats your "poor quality" pictures, I would like to see your good ones! Great pics!

Baitfish ball up like that so they can rub against each other, usually because parasites have attached themselves to the bait. The rubbing action allows the baitfish to knock off the irritating parasites. Larger fish, or "gamefish", gather under the bait balls to feed on the falling parasites...

if nobody calls BS on this i will die laughing.......that is sooooo stupid

have a great weekend

[rchanner]

If thats your "poor quality" pictures, I would like to see your good ones! Great pics!

Baitfish ball up like that so they can rub against each other, usually because parasites have attached themselves to the bait. The rubbing action allows the baitfish to knock off the irritating parasites. Larger fish, or "gamefish", gather under the bait balls to feed on the falling parasites...

if nobody calls BS on this i will die laughing.......that is sooooo stupid

have a great weekend

Ok....I'm calling BS....but just so you don't die.