This past Saturday Dad and I took the boat to the Kissimmee Chain. We chose to stay of the bedding fish and tried to catch those that had not moved up yet. As we went around the lake people every where was setting in the bushes looking for slabs. I know this is a great time of year for people who love to jig those slabs of the bedding areas. But what are we doing to the future of the crappie? I recently read an article in IN-Fisherman about the " Arch of Slabs" in Mississippi, where since the late 90's people from all over the country have been fishing these lakes and catching large fish in the 3lb+ range. It said that it took almost 7 years for a crappie to reach that size and 4+ years to reach 2lbs. The question was ask if it was necessary to take home 8 or 9 3lb fish.
In our area Crescent Lake really got hot this year. In our club tournament, it took over 14lbs to win. Since December I have read post after post where anglers are bragging about the number of large fish the have taken off of Crescent. Maybe I am wrong. But does anyone need to take a hundred or more fish off of one particular lake. I know the laws allow it. And I have been guilty of the same thing. I just wonder if we are not killing that goose that laid the golden egg.
The bass fisherman got the picture in the 80's. Is slot limits the answer. I know that won't set well with most of us. Is number limits the answer? Or is it just the responsibility of all of us to realize the importance of the spawn and not destroy the hatch so we can brag about the catch?
Dad and I did not see exactly eye to eye on this subject. But we do agree that something should change to preserve the future of the fish that we so enjoy catching.

Tight lines and keep your bait wet!