I think it depends upon where you live. I know that up here in the north the crappies get very mushy during the summer no matter how cold you try to keep them. Comparing winter crappies and summer crappies is like comparing steak to hamburger. The ones in winter a very firm and there is no comparision in taste. I stop keeping crappies once the water temps reach 55 degrees, usually in April. Any warmer and they just don't taste right for me.