Orange catfish??

This weekend, I kept pulling up redish/orange bellied catfish up at Slavens pier (Mattawoman River, down 210). What is that? I thought at first it was a few sick fish or something but I saw about 50 of these in the past two days between what I was catching and others were catching... they were rather small for a cat and seemed a little green ontop, and then orangish red bellies... WTH are these???? Is this a new breed or just how they look in March???

[itsbob]

Snakehead...

Originally Posted by itsbob

Snakehead...

This was a catfish and had two long black whiskers. Although it didn't sound like a catfish... it wasn't making the "waagaaawaagaaawaaagaaa" noise the normal channel or blues do, it still was unmistakenly a catfish.

[MysticalMom]

Originally Posted by itsbob

Snakehead...

[Suz]

Originally Posted by dems4me

This was a catfish and had two long black whiskers. Although it didn't sound like a catfish... it wasn't making the "waagaaawaagaaawaaagaaa" noise the normal channel or blues do, it still was unmistakenly a catfish.

I don't have a clue, but how did they taste?

Originally Posted by Suz'

I don't have a clue, but how did they taste?

I didn't eat any , I thought may it was mercury poisoning or pcb problem or something... it was just kind of weird..

Originally Posted by dems4me

I didn't eat any , I thought may it was mercury poisoning or pcb problem or something... it was just kind of weird..

I can't give you a link at this point, but it appears that rockfish could possibly give you a severe skin reaction.

They are poisoned, and millions of tax dollars can't tell us why.

I figure the same thing has happened to your catfish, and turned them orange.

Originally Posted by Wenchy

I can't give you a link at this point, but it appears that rockfish could possibly give you a severe skin reaction.

They are poisoned, and millions of tax dollars can't tell us why.

I figure the same thing has happened to your catfish, and turned them orange.

My Dad was telling me about that too, he said it was on the news a few days ago. He said that folks that are eating these particular RockFish are getting a skin rash. I'll check DNRs webcite tomorrow. Thanks

Originally Posted by dems4me

My Dad was telling me about that too, he said it was on the news a few days ago. He said that folks that are eating these particular RockFish are getting a skin rash. I'll check DNRs webcite tomorrow. Thanks

You're welcome.

I cried when I read about it.

Rock is my favorite fish, and I won't ever eat another one.

We have polluted the Bay to the extent that there is no going back.

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by Wenchy

You're welcome.

I cried when I read about it.

Rock is my favorite fish, and I won't ever eat another one.

We have polluted the Bay to the extent that there is no going back.

The people getting the rash aren't eating the fish, they are HANDLING the diseased fish.. the pictures online show it VERY obvious to know if the fish you caught is diseased.. and I think they said less then 10% have this bacteria... If you catch a healthy looking fish, it probably is healthy, and safe to eat.. I'm going to be eating some here PRETTY soon.. 15 April baby!!