Spring male color in mid July

[crataegus]

I don't ever remember catching fish that dark in mid July--and 2 of them for that matter. Although they were caught in the middle of the lake, they look like they are about to fan a bed. Four days earlier, all the fish had their normal color. Is this uncommon--again, I don't recall seeing this in July.

The two fish pictured are 2.03 lbs and 2.30 lbs. I caught 13 other fish from 10-14" but none of the others had that dark color--only the two largest.

Have you seen this before?

[bchappell]

Good looking fish!!! Congrats!!!

[Bobberstop]

We call em roosters round here. I love those dark colored ones. You catch those in dark colored and deep water year round here. Beautiful fish!

[INGrandad]

2.3 Lbs? It could be pink and I wouldn't care. Kind of hard to find up here most places.

[wasabi]

Nice slabs! I caught a dark one yesterday, out in mid lake too. It caught my eye being so dark. Not as big as yours though!