Blue tail on Redfish?

[jsethl13]

I'm pretty sure that this question has been asked before but I can't find a solid answer anywhere. My father was fishing this past weekend and came across a Redfish with a blue tail. After reading about it, they say that it's because the redfish are "feeding" but I think that answer is a bit obvious. Does anyone have any ideas to share? Is it an age thing? Hormone? Water conditions (temp/salinity)? Just curious...
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[Ragin_Cajun]

I have heard the same....close or at peak feeding..

[jrdntboy09]

Pollution

[swamp snorkler]

I've seen that before, caught a couple in Lake Boudreaux with a blue tail about 20 years ago.

[Moody]

I've caught a few in lacassiene refuge with blue tails maybe its long exposure to fresh water

[davidkyle323]

Caught a bunch behind the weirs with blue tails a couple of years ago.

[Lake Chuck Duck]

I thought it had something to do with water clarity. I had caught some reds in the crystal clear water off the jeddies of orange beach. They had a beautiful color and had blue tails.

[3FLa]

A very old friend, with no formal education, but more common sense then most, always said that the blue tail has a relationship to tidal changes, which will cause an increase in bite activity. This gentleman was a commercial fisherman for many years, and would always say, "that the asses in Washington are going to tell me when I can catch shrimp, and not one of them ever seen a live shrimp." Like I said, not much fromal education, but full of wisdom.

[Duck Butter]

Bob from Between the Banks fishing mentioned it Saturday on his show. He had a theory but I can not remember, so not any help. I would think water clarity or depth. When you fish muddy fresh water the fish usually don't have much color when you pull em up, and in deep water the same thing. They will change colors (especially sacaulait) after you put em in the icechest. Sacaulait when spawning will have their 'tuxedos' on and be full of color and some even have a black stripe going down their head to the mouth.

if it is not one of those, then it is either Bush's fault or global warming

[Fuze13]

Originally Posted by jrdntboy09

Pollution

PSH - acid rain - good call jrdn

[cmcnabb]

I thought it was water clarity. Caught a few on the river a few summers ago when it was clear and they had that blue color. I have always thought water clarity had pretty much everything to do with color of a fish.

[ChrisD]

Majority of the smaller reds I catch in the marsh around Grand Isle have a blue tail hope this helps

http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/pdf/reddrum.pdf

[bigmb102460]

i was always told it was feeding on shrimp that does turns the tail. after cutting a few red's open there were shrimp in them. so

["W"]

Blue tail means that the fish are moving and feeding.....you can also tell when redfish are not moving by the color of there stomach. (it will have a tint brown look)

That is all the Blue tail on a redfish is (means Active)

[speckdaddy]

Its cuz dey ate smurfs

[Fuze13]

Originally Posted by "W"

Blue tail means that the fish are moving and feeding.....you can also tell when redfish are not moving by the color of there stomach. (it will have a tint brown look)

That is all the Blue tail on a redfish is (means Active)

Exactly right - the tail turns blue from blood movement. It is looked at like they are "feeding" becuase usually when reds are moving like that they are schooling. Also if you have ever sight fished for reds i bet the tailes arent that blue. If they are, then they must have just got done. When you fished with an old school guide, they use the color of the tail to dictate staying or leaving. Only problem is catching them after they are done and getting fooled but thats fishin. Hope this helps, and pay attention, i bet you can put it together now that you know.

[Fuze13]

ive caught in clear water and muddy water, the body color differs, but the tails will remain blue under the movement circumstance.

[Duck Butter]

pretty obvious the fish with blue tails are feeding, because they got hooked right

and what about the other 95 + % of the reds that get caught (while feeding presumably) that do not have blue tails?

I am just stirring the pot, don't know but I do know that everytime my grandpa would take me bream fishing and caught a bull bream and it peed he said they were bedding. Next time you catch a bull bream squeeze him and see if he pees. I will bet $100 saltycash that every single one of them you squeeze no matter what time of the year will pee, so that is debunked. However, if you spit on your cricket after you put him on the hook, there is a 150% better chance to catch a bream and that is the gospel truth

[82whaler]

I was always told it was due them eating.......Blue Crabs. Seriously.

[Fuze13]

Reaction strikes my dude - not all fish eat because they are hungry - lets just say 50% of the time, i am right every time..... pretty good odds isnt it - lol - I cant wait until anchorman 2 comes out by the way