Thread: To keep or release

To each their own, personally don't care either way. When I need fish I keep fish.

Originally Posted by spindle

With the spawn right around the corner, I have been thinking about whether to keep the fish during the spawn or releasing them. I have decided to release all the fish except what I need to last until my next fishing trip. I will have plenty of time to restock my freezer after they have spawned. This is my personal decision and I'm not condemning anyone who keeps their fish.

If I catch males, I keep them for the freezer. I try to release as any females as possible because I don't really NEED the fish. When ya fish year round, it's easy to have plenty of fish. Let the big females spawn. I agree with "To each their own" tho.

then why "toot" your horn ?

I was sitting here thinking about this thread and wondering what the difference in keeping a female crappie now or in May once you put a knife to her she will never lay anymore eggs, with that in mind we might ought to throw females back year round.

Originally Posted by Rees Guide

I was sitting here thinking about this thread and wondering what the difference in keeping a female crappie now or in May once you put a knife to her she will never lay anymore eggs, with that in mind we might ought to throw females back year round.

I tend to agree with your assessment on that!

Well every female from 6" up will lay eggs in the spawn at different times . There is no way we can catch enough to make a difference . Crappie will take over a small lake . They all eat the same .

By the time I figure out if its a male or female I've done cut half of it off.

Originally Posted by free bird

By the time I figure out if its a male or female I've done cut half of it off.

I catch them from cold water and release them in hot grease.