Striper Sniper Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 I was fishing at a local lake today and was catching some big pickerel and some small bass and all of a sudden I hook and land a pickerel of about 12 inches and it had a blue mouth, tail, and fins. It fought like any other pickerel and looked healthy, but what's up with the blue coloration of it's fins and mouth? I've never seen this before... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Lippen Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 SS, I've caught a few like that over the years. Nothing in any of my books ever explained it for me Not an answer for ya, just that yer not the only one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8ball Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 I catch one or two a year like that in the D&R Canal. Funny thing is that they are more agressive than the other regular colored ones. ------------------ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striper Sniper Posted March 3, 2002 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 BL & 8ball, Thanks for the replies. At least I'm not alone. Maybe he just thought he was the "Blue Barracuda" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Morris Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 I have caught many in the S. Jersey area that exhibit a bluish pigment. I wonder if its because if the normal shade-green, when hit by the bright sun causes it to look blue. Ya know the ole' colors mixing. DarkStarGive me Liberty,or give me DEAD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatman Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 ------------------ on the good side of the grass..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Lippen Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 Well there ya go. Once again Hatman explains all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10x10 Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 It's possible it was grass pickerel.Mostly you catch Chain Pickerel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Lippen Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 10x10, I guess you are refering to a redfin pickerel, the only other kind in our area besides the chain pick. Redfins only get to about 12 inches and have dark bars on their sides, but are not decribed as having any blue. I have caught redfins in several small, remote ponds/bogs, and they are fairly easy to recognize if ya look closely. The ones that I have caught with blue markings were definitely chain picks. I suspect some enviromental reason for the coloring of these other fish. Wish I knew exactly why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed J Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 Do a search in the Sweetwater forum, Otto von new truck posted photos at one time I believe of a toothy bastage with blue tinting. ------------------ Ed J edj@stripersonline.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thill Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 Seems to me there was something awhile ago about fish "dyed" for study purposes. Were these fish in stocked areas? TH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striper Sniper Posted March 3, 2002 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 I highly doubt my fish was stocked. It's a little old blackwater bog maybe about 6 feet deep at most. Just a natural wild bog. So I can safely say it wasn't a stockee. The mystery continues. I'm thinking maybe it had something to do with the time when they were born. Maybe water temperatures or something caused it. Some type of genetic mutation?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10x10 Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 Probably spawning colors.It is early spring temperature wise around here already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striper Sniper Posted March 3, 2002 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 10X10, I was thinking the same thing. The most colorful fish always gets the most females but why wouldn't I catch more of the blue colored ones during the spawn? I pickerel fish a LOT in March and April when I can't fish for stripers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Coleman Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 it was cold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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