I think that her tail was worn down on the bottom from years of spawning. I have seen fish during the spawn that basically have no bottom half of their fin. It grows back but maybe after years of that, they get perma beat up. I kinda doubt this fish was already spawning though. It's not impossible, it's just really unlikely with the water hovering in the high 40's at San Pablo. As far as the big V in the tail, I think that's a genetic thing with Floridas. I've seen quite a few like that. My 15 had a similar indent in her tail.

There aren't any stripers in San Pablo and I think if any trout smaller than 2lbs got near that fish, she would woof it and that trout wouldn't be nippin at her tail no more.