Pics of a few of this winter's barred perch displaying their dark mating colors. The skin pigmentation can be quite vivid & intense on some fish. The perch have been appearing at various beaches over the last several weeks. Got 'em to eat a variety of flies during the swing while canvassing the holes & flats with the 2-hander.

- Mark

Nice collection of mating color pics there Skywalker. This is the perfect time to catch some of the heaviest males (loaded with milt) of the year. Stay safe out there!!!!!!!!!
Cheers, Ken

Absolutely gorgeous photos, Mark! Thanks for sharing them w/us.

Thanks Mark. I saw you on the beach (from waaaay south of your position, the yellow jacket is a giveaway) swinging that 12-6'er a few times between Christmas & New Years. The surf is up big time again today, looking to get out the next time the swell drops a bit.

Thanks guys! A couple shots of 15-16" female BSP's before their release while working the suds with the Sage 5120 over the holidays:





Pretty old fish - probably close to 9-10 yrs in age based on their lengths.



Yup - the larger, milt-laden males started showing around mid-November, like this guy that probably got whacked by a seal:




The bite wounds on this fish were likely produced by a sharp set of canines - certainly pinniped in origin: