color of the water, plus the lighting and camera settings. Both are awesome looking fish, they're great in aquariums too!

crazyice, it's the body of water. The quillbacks you caught more resemble the ones I caught this spring, lighter in color.

Thanks for the info. I was just curious. I thought maybe it had more to do with their stage in relation to spawning.

it's possible, but body of water and the amount of penetrable light will affect coloration more.

Congrats rugby on the PB and your 1st ever quillback!

Works for me.

Yep, Congrats Rugs on what huntnfish said. Nice fish.

Deadhead i notice you keep commenting on the turbercules. Whats the deal with them. Last week i caught one that had em majorly on the anal fin and a bit on the tail. Ill throw up a pic later when i get on the computer its on.

The tubercles develop when they're getting ready to spawn.

yeah what Ryan said. The males develop tubercles to aid them in pinning the female while spawning. It is hypothesized that the tubercles may also stimulate the female.

The tubercles on this white sucker from yesterday were highly developed. It felt like sandpaper to the touch. After handling a few of these fish with tubercles, it was getting to be hard on the hands. This male released milt all over me when I removed the hook.

I guess he really liked you!

*bad bad bad*

Perch have been milting heavy in my area and eating way to many of my sucker crawlers.

Man, this thread is taking a "fish porn" turn... think I'll go check out the walleye forum.

While water color is a major factor, I wouldn't rule out color changes close to the spawn.