I caught a 17" Red Drum yesterday but it wasn't red. It was dark grey over light silver. At first, I thought it was a trout, but there were no "specks". It had big tail spots, and the fins weren't yellow. No hint of gold or red anywhere. The other two reds I caught in the same spot were normal colors. Anyone else ever see one like that?

IslandJim

I think that is because they have been in deeper water. Haven't sun tanned yet.

Might have just been a big whiting or blackdrum

I've noticed quite a lot of color variation in redfish over the years. I've caught some that were dark grey with no hint of red, to the point that I thought they were skinny black drum at first glance. I've also caught several redfish with multiple dark spots on their bodies - almost like a seatrout, in addition to the standard tailfin spot.

That's wild

I have caught several like this, usually smaller ones. Never caught one like that over 22 inches. Small or young reds will not leave the bays until they are 3-4 years old. During this time they can be on a diet that will not let the red colors come out in them. Eventually they grow up move into deep water and color up.

Big Croaker....?

I wonder why reds vary in color? One place I fish has reds that are sometimes a bright gold color. Seems like the ones I catch near a pass to the gulf tend to be more silver and without much of the red or bronze. I can't remember catching one with zero red or gold color. Seems like the eyes always have a little bronze, red or gold in them.