I have a question for the board.
One of the fish I caught this morning was very scrawny. 22 inches but only weighed about 3 lbs. I just chalked it up to summertime stress. When I was cleaning the fish I noticed that the meat had a creamy color to it as opposed to the normal pinkish translucent color of a normal filet. The texture and smell seemed ok but, I’m not too sure I want to eat it. I’ve attached a picture. The difference is quite obvious. Have any of y’all seen this in a striper before?
A brief report. I caught two fish this morning. The skinny one at the towers on a downrod 40 feet down. Caught a second fish (very fat healthy 22 incher)in the big pool on a jigging spoon 60 feet down in 80 feet of water.
War Eagle 754 Ducks Unlimited - Yamaha 75
I’ve seen this same query posed to the forums before … the general consensus was that it was still okay to eat …
They all look white after you soak them in salt and lemon juice for 24 hours … 
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
The pink pigment in the meat comes from the food they eat. I’m guessing they skinny one hadn’t been eating so no pigment. Just a theory. Funny thing is I caught a 22" striper at the towers last night that was the skinniest fish I’d seen. The water was down to 80* so I threw him back. We caught 3 up on humps and rounded out our 2 man limit at the towers.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Its fine to each. I used to be worried as well. But it tastes the same as the rest. Texture and all is the same just a little pale.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Thanks for the input. I guess I’ll go ahead and toss it on the grill.
War Eagle 754 Ducks Unlimited - Yamaha 75
Have seen male channel and blue cats look the same way. Just skinny as can be and the meat would be white just like you are saying.Dont know why. MAybe because they were guarding fry or fighting for mates.
Catfish
Seen it too. Always thought it was a result of metabolizing muscle instead of food or fat stores. I agree with the previous observations that it doesn’t pose a health risk. Never did a taste test, so can’t speak from experience, but I never found a skinny fish very appealing.