Blue tails

[luceror]

I know some of u salts gotta know w3hat causes the blue spots on the redfish and certain times of the year? I would like to hear some your thoughts on this phenom?

[luceror]

I meant blue tails!

[mjsigns]

It's latent residue from the Deepwater Horizon. Thanks to "BP".

[Salty Gator]

Lots of theories on the blue tail. Smaller reds usually have more blue. One theory is it is from the blue crabs in their diet. I've also heard their tails get "lit up" when excited like dolphin or sailfish. I'm not sure anyone knows for sure. Maybe we will hear a few more thoughts. Ps as far as spots go, I've heard stress as a juvie gives them more spots. Also heard genetics. Any thoughts?

[FUTCHCAIRO]

I DO NOT KNOW! I THINK IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE FANNING BEDS FOR THE FEMALE TO LAY EGGS, KINDA LIKE BLACK BASS DO IN FRESH WATER.
PA
SEMPER FI

[grasscarp]

I think it is due to the color of the water and the color of the bottom. From my experience, the fish near Carrabelle towards St. George (especially on the beach side of the islands) are predominatly white and the blue tail is more pronounced regardless of the size of the redfish. These fish live in clear water and over sand.
The fish near Ocklocknee bay and and St. Marks are usually darker and the blue tail is less pronounced.

[Salty Gator]

I caught a red last weekend in st marks(very stained water). The fish was as dark orange as any I've seen. It had the bluest tail I've seen on any red. Pay attention you will notice the smaller fish have consistently more blue in the tails.

[Salty Gator]

Here is a pic of a red I caught last year on the south side of dog I. The clearest water I've fished to date. Sightcasted w a topdog. The fish is almost silver, barely any blue in the tail



Here's his little buddy, same deal

[Salty Gator]

Here is a smaller red caught in st marks a few weeks ago, coffee water. Blue tail

[fishinfool]

I don't think it has to do with spawning as the Red Drum does not reach sexual maturity until it is 27" or longer. (hence the reason for the slot limit) I have seen the blue on fish that were short, long light or dark colored. I have also seen a lack of blue on the same type of fish. I assumed it was like the pink in a Flamingo, where the diet was the key. The more crustaceans, the more pink, or in the case of the Redfish, the more blue.
Whatever causes it, there is nothing more exciting than seeing that blue glint coming off of a tailing Red. Dragging a spoon in front of it and watching him eat. It sure makes my day.

[luceror]

Well Thanks for the"opinions_choice would have been diet" . Yea w yhe spawning Only ttaking place in "larger fish" this should elimanate that Possabiliyty. My last choice would have been diet, So that is probably the cause. It seems as though they are more numerous in the fall and frequeny in the spring but not as many as in the fall. Never really fished here in the Deep" of winter so have no info on that time of year. I hope to change that this winter.
"

[Ranaman]

i have a tendancy to see it on shorter fish as well, this rat red with blue tail was landed same place as two keepers that had barely any blue on the tail. DOn't think it was the blue sky or blue water this was out of ockloch and it was very tannic.

[luceror]

well those "reds off dog island where sure sandy looking. !

[luceror]

Looks like it was anice day water wise, but I nnotice u have alot of Winter clothes on!

[MudDucker]

That is a male fish that has arrived to spawn and finds himself without a partner.