Weird Crappie Fillets (Pix Included)

[stick]

A buddy and I recently got into some crappies. From what I saw, there were 3 year classes. The sizes were spread across 3 ranges...10", 12", and 14". 2 of the 14" fish had red fillets. The red came from what looked like blood pockets spread through the meat. We brought these fish up from between 20 and 30 feet. They weren't abused after they were caught, and they looked normal from the exterior. Take a look and let me know if you've seen it before or if you know what it is.

[shackback]

(Pix Included)??????

[stick]

I'm struggling at posting the pix. I'll keep trying.

[nluchau]

E-mail them to me [email protected] and I can post for you.

[nluchau]

Here are the pics.

[stick]

Thanks a bunch, nluchau!

[nluchau]

Anytime. I dont know what would cause this. Perhaps it was something with the pressure change that the fish went through during the catch rupturing something in the fish.

[Seeker of Clayface]

That is strange. Did they taste any different?

[Dry_Fly]

Had several of them like that off of Red Lake last year so I hardly think it would be from any presure change when catching them. Red Lake is only 17.7 in the deepest part. They tasted just fine when we ate them. My guess they were brused in some way can't really say for sure.

[stick]

Quote:

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That is strange. Did they taste any different?

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I packaged them up and froze them. I didn't plan on eating them.

[The_Duckslayer]

You didn't spill any of that Cask and Cream into the fish bucket did ya! Maybe they get bloodshot flesh instead of eyes.

I have never seen that before either. When I first saw the post I thought that it would open to them with the little black spots in them. Hard to say I guess... Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[The Grebe]

Stick..."Aha!, I know what the problem is....were you into the Cask and Cream bottle before you started the filleting?" :-)

Just kidding, it would have to be a ruptured blood vessel, a good sized one in fish speak, that would get so much blood through the meat....a fish bruise so to speak.

I have had that happen to fish before, not quite as much, but the same deal. I figured that something gave out during the fight? The fish winds up with what we would consider a bruise. If it is alot like in your fillet, I guess it could be called a major "Splosion"?

[J Smith]

Send'em to the U. of Mn. or DNR.

J.

[Seeker of Clayface]

You may have caught the elusive Internal Red Crappie, the weird cousin of the Black & White Crappies.

[leechlake]

stick, I did a search for "bruised" "red" etc on fish filets. The only real information was a study on bruising on salmon (and an article on bruised testicles which constantly popped up and didn't sound fun)and I'd say that's what you've got, how I don't know, getting caught in the jaws of another fish, flopping around out of water, who knows. I guess the bottomline for me is even though they are most likely fine to eat, it's kind of like eating wormy perch, I don't do it.

I'd love to hear what any experts have to say about the red filets.

[CrappieJohn]

Were these fish put on the ice? I have noticed this with fish that have been put on the ice after being caught. I have been using Moshers' ice well this year and have yet to see any of this and for the last couple years took an insulated bucket , filled it with water and kept my fish in it. I hate filleting fish that are frozen or half way there (hence the bucket of water and now the net) and that is where I have noticed the bulk of this occuring.

[Random guy]

Looks like you gut shot it.

[CrappieJohn]

Or tried for the record punt.

[rpaulson7]

Crappies....the other red meat.

[stick]

I think you guys got it. We played a bit of tackle "fish-ball" and our team ended up punting most of the time...no blockers.

Actually, in response to Crappie Tom, some of the fish were on the ice for a while...15 minutes at most when the "flurries" of fish came through, and then I had them in a non-insulated bucket. I hadn't thought of that angle before, but that could be too.

Good feedback overall, I appreciate it from everyone. Some good chuckles out of this thread as well.

[juggs]

I've seend this many times before but not covering the entire filet. Dang! That looks nasty. My guess is it's a bruise of some sort. Did the fish have any marks on the exterior?

[trapperdirk]

Different food source maybe . Catfish around here have that blood red meat but goes down my gullet fine .

TD

[freebledsoe]

Does the red coloring come out if you soak the fillet in water? I usually soak my fillets a bit before cooking to "de-blood" them. If the water turns red when soaked I would say for sure its blood from bruising.

Just a thought.