Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Caught LMB With Red Fins and Skin

We caught a 3-1/2# 18" Florida strain LMB yesterday at about dark. While cleaning it, I noticed the fins were quite red, but didn't think much about it. When I pulled it from the freezer to fillet it, I noticed the skin was fairly pink beneath the scales. I have cleaned many LMB, but never seen one that pink. The fish had no blemishes or injuries, and was very healthy.

Is that a sign of disease, or is she just a color variation? Wonder if it's from eating lots of crawfish, which I guess could conceivably cause the reddish pigmentation?

My fish guy once mentioned that the pink/red fin thing indicated a stressed fish, almost stressed to the end. I don't know if he was right or not. The fish he used as an example (LMB) did fine.

I have heard the same thing about stressed fish having red fins too from a taxidermist. I have only ever seen it in Northern Pike though, most bass around here are stress free.

She fought like a demon, and was pretty fat, with a WR of 1.1. She took a long time to land on light tackle, so maybe that made her turn red. First one I've ever seen with that much red pigmentation.

It could be that she had been feeding heavily on crawdads or other crustaceans. I have seen a few healthy LMB with orange/reddish tinted fins that I assumed were getting more than their fair share of crustaceans in their diet.