Thread: Why reason no reports about: Apopka-Yale-Eustis-Dorr

i can't but more agree with you 150% Mike as i have watched at Kissimmee, people come
in each fall - mid November, and fish every day till first week in April and then go home
with cooler after cooler of filets - i mean 12 -14 collers in back of pickups...........
One of these which moved this past fall because he couldn't catch as many as in
previous years. Sold his mobile and left.....(good for us)
These people have been known to make or build their own fish cleaning stations in
back of mobile homes so as others wouldn't see what size or how many they were
taking. According to FWC, these people cannot be touched if fish is fileted as it
then becomes a frozen food item. However, such as case 2 yrs ago at Grape Hammock when someone dropped dime on some people out of SC that had stored
in their coolers - 2,500 plus fish (shellcrackers) uncut. One of states largest fines,
& confication of equipment. Grape Hammock was upset about this due to these were
"year after year" customers and they probably wouldn't be back. (another good ridance)
To me we don't need these people no matter what or how much they bring to the
economy, they steal more from our state than we can every replace.
Have asked Marty (FWC) man why Fl does not put a 10" limit and 20 fish limit, 2 day
position and regardless of many people on boat or pontoon limit of 100 per day.
Presently FWC working on various lakes on individual basis. The big "O" has 10"limit,
Griffin 10" limit, Medard Resvoir 10" limit......Believe Itenoc in Polk county FWC mangmt has 10 limit and 10" limit. It is based on creel count when shocked of size
and amount per acre sets the limit. Duh !
One added thought: It was mentioned by someone on CdC that when Crappie USA and Crappie Masters national tournaments come to state, that they pretty much "cean
out the lake involved" This is not true: Rule #12 of Crappie Masters specifically
states "that all healthy fish when weighed in will be returned to the lake" Same
holds true for Crappie USA......i do not have rule in hand but will have shortly.
Same holds true for Florida Crappie Club, any competitor may keep or return his
healthy fish to the lake .... In most cases, at time of weigh in, we have a lot of
locals asking ahead of time for our fish for their personal use.

From what I have seen at Talquin this year, not as many 2+ lb fish have beem caught as has been in the past. Just my opinion, but I think too may people are keeping those 10-11 inch fish just to have numbers...I'd love to see the size limit increased to 12 inches on that lake...For example, look at Monroe. Remember when that was the lake that was the talk of the state?? Then they took a size limit off that lake. I don't think anything else has to be said..Unless you want to add Grenada to the discussion that has a 12 inch limit.Is there anyone else out there besides me who would love to spend a few days on that lake??..No need for more about that!! I think it is up to the fishermen and women to do more catch and release to make the lakes with smaller fish turn into lakes with bigger fish. Yes, Crescent is on fire right now with 2+ lb fish being caught and that is bringing a lot of attention to this lake. But unless you practice catch and release like Anchor Man and others are doing, that lake will also fizzle out. There are a few Florida lakes that could compete with other lakes like Grenada if the STATE of FLORIDA would put a few of these lakes on a 12 inch limit and smaller creel limit and force anglers to Catch and Release. I love hearing of folks on here that have had fantastic days catching fish on any lake but it puts a bad taste in my mouth to see folks post pictures of limits of fish and at least 1/2 of them are fish that should have been released...Just my opinion, but Quality over Quantity is what I am fishing for. My freezer or cooler may not be full of fish, but I have plenty for me to eat....Just my

Well written and expressed TnT...............Thank you..
Also, with the help of web sites such as CdC, National Tournament Organizations,
State & Local fishin clubs - we can lobby the FWC to enact strictor laws and back
them up with fines to deture their breaking. Example: Indiana has various power
plants cooling lakes that they allow fishing on but have enacted rules with harsher
effects than what the state could impose and they back it up. With these rules
fishing these lakes have vastly improved the quality of fish caught. Florida should
think about this more. Sad to know that "night fishing" can be fun but also to the
right people who know that FWC officers aren't around at 3 in morning to check
catch or size limits can be devastating. I not being with FWC am not going to ask
to check someone's live well at 3am and take chance of being shot, and according
to FWC, they must be caught at time of possession not dropping dime on them with
a lic. plate number that can't be followed up with live time frame..........Bummer

i noticed that with the heavy dropping of hydrillia and weed control pellets a few
years back - around 2010 that the bluegill on Kissimmee didn't change their size as
much as they changed in thickness - "meat on the body" they look great but is
nothing there. Bluegill when pellets are dropped onto water will come to surface
and eat them whereas, crappie, shellcrackers and bass are more towards the bottom
part of the lake where in maybe the pellet is more desolved by time it reaches them.
Just a thought - FWC won't get into that one ..........as have asked the question
before.

Love the topic of discussion...I have said it before, crappie fishermen and women are known for, and sometimes out of habit, keeping lots and lots of fish. It is nice to catch a limit, but it is also nice to release them and hopefully catch em again.

Originally Posted by Speckanator

This is just my opinion and I certainly hope I don't get bashed for it.....I think all the poor fishing in the lakes mentioned, as well as Monroe, are getting or have been slammed for several years. Maybe a statewide size limit or slot and a reduced bag limit would make things better. All these lakes hold big fish it's just that some hold more of them. I don't thinks its environmental...I believe it's the harvest. Again....just my opinion. Thanks Harold for giving us something to think about today.

I'm repeating my-self, but I'll say it again. The best thing that has happened to Lake Shelbyville in IL. was the 10&10 rule. Thats 10 fish per/day, 10" min. That rule has made a world of difference in size of fish being caught today. The lake is a great crappie lake now. If you get caught with to many or fish to small, the fine is $75/fish. This rule is really needed on the Harris Chain.

This is why the same 10 people only post on the FL forum. Please continue and prevent even more crappie fisherman from sharing their reports and pictures. The fact is that most who panfisb keep fish to eat. I joined as a member sponsor to support crappie.com and share my guide trip reports with members and visitors. I try to tell everything I can EXCEPT where I fish, I'm not going to tell folks exactly where to go and how to fish, I spend too much money finding the best locations. But, as of lately witb all the negative comments on keeping fish and throwing anything over 13" fish back I haven't shared any of my reports at all in fear of being bashed even more.

To my knowledge no one has ever bashed you TC... You are considered a complement
to our group and your knowledge the past few years as been very, very valuable.
I personally injoy your daily reports and pictures of your catch. Your thoughts and
help i believe has been very helpful to a lot of anglers. What most of conversation
tonight is centered on size of fish being caught ie: 10in and over. Not keeping
everything that hits the boat. Also amount of fish being taken again 25 is present
limit not 200 if you have 8 guys on a pontoon boat........which is legal. Guides such
as yourself are the examples of what fun fishing and good fishing is about. You are
not only teachers, but instructors on how, when and what to use.
People need to watch you instructional video as posted on CDC.
Promoting Florida, fresh or saltwater fishing is needed but to some degree controlled
to insure the growth for the future.