THE RED TAIL COMES FROM FANNING THE BED OUT, IT HAPPENS TO BASS TOO...THATS HOW WE CAN TELL IF THERE ON BEDS OR NOT

BIG fish, very good.

is that same thing as a cusk or elebout

nice fish the pickerel i caught had the red on the tail the same way from the spawn

Nice big fish Mike. Real nice! Congrats.

Nice one. You guys have 2 each now, and I have zilch. I still have some tricks left up my sleeve.

b/t/w - look at its tail. It looks a bit red on the lower half. They get like that during the spawn when the males dig nests, but I noticed it happens before the spawn, too. I think it's like nature's make-up - they are advertising they are in the mood. Who knows - maybe they got a head start this year? It's warm enough.

I thought Mike fell in when I seen the splash that fish made. Good Job I like the silver and black patern.