Thread: How Important Is It To Get You're Limit?

I agree. Trying to get a limit every time can become more like work. Tends to take all the fun out of it if you have to work at it.

Well said BRG! At this point I place more emphasis on weight of the catch than quantity. I would much rather have eight or ten good quality fish that range from 2.0 to 2.5 lbs each than a box of thirty .75 to 1.0 lbers. I am just about at the point where I won't clean a large quantity of dinks......just ain't worth the effort! David and I caught only TWO fish yesterday but we worked hard and were proud of 'em. We also had a great quality experience which increased our body of knowledge so that next trip under those similiar conditions we might catch 4-5 instead of 2. BTW, it wouldn't bother me one bit if there were a statewide 12 inch length limit. I think our overall Crappie population would be much larger and better quality. Those "limits" would also be a bit more of a challenge and mean a little more.

Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

Most people consider a limit as the measuring stick of their own overrated ability. We all love catching fish or we wouldn't be reading these threads, and we all like a good story, but limit number whatever is bragging!!!! Go win a Crappie Master Tournament with SEVEN big ones, then you MIGHT have something to brag about!!!! It ain't the number, it's the quality of the experience that's most important to me!!!! I do like catching a limit now and then tho, and wish I had the time to go more often.


BRM

i like to catch a limit of good fish and will move even when catching fish every throw if they are small. But then that's me.

I like to catch 'em, the more the merrier, but I don't keep any of 'em. It would take too long to accumulate a mess to have a fish fry, so I just throw back for another day.

Originally Posted by rocket rich

How many times I have preached CATCH AND RELEASE

What about these lakes like Slabbandit said in a previous post about defending keeping small fish that are over populated ? It does'nt hurt to take fish. Nimrod is one lake that needs a few taken out or they will get stunted. I give away lots of fish and furnish fish for fish frys all summer. I just verticle jig and no spider rigs or yoyos. What I consider meat hogs are those with bucket fulls of yoyos trying to fill freezers. I fish for the thump but also like to share the wealth. When friends camp I usually never keep a fish but allow them to cook fish and carry the rest home.
I've seen Slabbandit ask for my throw backs while fishing the same area while posting he was wear'n them out the day before. Come to my house and ask for fish out my freezer cause his was empty. If I had'nt froze some he would have been outa luck.

To us new crappie fisherman it is something to shoot for a goal(a limit). We use to just catch a few by accident was mostly just a lurker on this site (crappie.com).Now I am tying my own jigs making my own baits and because of the great Crappie fishermen on this site we have learned a lot and where a limit was once out of the question now we can see it is reachable something to shoot for and still enjoy being out on the water not bragging but setting a goal to reach for.When I first started fishing you caught a limit,culled to a bigger limit of bass now it is catch and release(looked down own if you keep bass).Crappie fishing you go with your buddy each are learning from each other each trip catch a few fish keep a few to eat.The price of gas,tackle,equipment you need to be able to take something home at the end of the day.Not just the experence of fishing but the enjoyable right to fish.We live in a great state(arkansas) and country (USA) blessed to have the lake and streams to fish. One by one these rights are being taken away.Like some other countrys those rights have been taken away.It will not be long we will not be able to keep fish at all then what. Thanks really enjoy reading everyone views and comments thats what makes it a great site!!!!

OK,,here's my position, the size of the fish is relative to the body of water and what that body of water is capable of producing. Some areas produce bigger fish than others, so its not necessarly about the size. Personally, I like the 10" fish for dineing, but love the biggun's when catching.

I don't have to limit out to be happy, and in my humble opinion, there's more to fishing than catching. I think we all have a competitive side that tempts us to be the best we can be, catch bigger and more than Joe Blow, but its not what keeps me going back to the lake.

The catch and release is not all its cracked up to be either, many fish every day are released that should have been kept, hooked to deep,,etc. And pulling one from 35 ft of water most assuredly injurys that fish...I have had their eyes pop out from the pressure I assume.

I have no idea what the point of this thread is, always, there will be those who catch more and bigger, most of the time, its because they have worked harder at the game, devoted more time to the sport, have better equipment, the list goes on and on. As long as a game law is not violated, they have my blessings. I try desperately hard not to condemn anyman his version of catching, be it a cane pole on the bank, or a $50,000.00 boat with another $10,000.00 worth of electronics on board and the knowledge to use them.


I'm going fishing now, if I catch a limit, I'll be tickled to death, if not, I'll still be a happy camper, because out there, I'm more one with nature, I can see and feel the good lords hand in the surroundings.


I'm still almost positive that God had old men in mind when he designed the crappie and I think he did a splendid job!

Good luck old buddy! Hope you have a nice day on the water first and catch a limit of slabs if everything works second.