I'm not sure either but when I say orange, I mean orange all over. From heat to tail, from top to bottom. I only took one picture of one that went 15 ounces but it was right at dark and you can't tell anything about the color at all. It was strange because every single one was the same color. Literally when I pulled the first one in I told my wife it was a huge sunfish. After I caught another one I looked more carefully and could see the red along the ear. We kept 10 to 15 I guess and they were all over a half pound with the one almost one pound. next time I will get some pictures if I catch more like it. I was also like you and thought maybe they are just that color earlier before the spawn but I am guessing.