black crappie question

This may sound stupid but I have been crappie fishing for a little while now and never thought to ask. Why are some of the black crappie caught in the same exact spot extremely dark in comparison to most of the others. Is this a spawning thing

could be male blacks will be a lot darker than females during mating season and will still be darker other times just not as dark as at spawning

I've had the same thing happen with white crappie in the spring. Some are very dark, but there's no doubt that they are whites.

If it's not spawning time ...

It could also be a matter of the darker colored ones having been in shallower water for a longer period of time than the others caught from the same spot.

When you catch them from dark waters or deep waters, their "colors" tend to be washed out. They don't need the camo pigmentation patterns as much under those circumstances, as they do when they're in shallower water or water that's lit up more (receiving more sunlight).

... cp :kewl

Spawn or their depth

Thanks I have mostly noticed it when I catch them in around 8 ft or less. Makes sense now. I knew this would be the place to find my answer

Take a freshly caught crappie (or most any fish) out of stained water and put it inside a closed, dark livewell for a few minutes. The colors will change dramatically. The vermiculation tones are affected by light and water color as much as they are by spawning hormones. That's nature's camouflage at work.

I think they get darker this time of year because of the sun tanning them up....you know fish never use sunscreen!!!! Did dux just say" vermiculation tones???"!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BIGBADDAD

Did dux just say" vermiculation tones???"!

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I just taught you a taxidermy term. You now owe me $100.

I've caught white crappie males and black crappie males both with their spawning tuxedo colors on this year...
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I thought vermiculitatituslu was some kind of potting soil...

rotfl rotfl

Rickie