2lb Question

[Jigboy]

The uncle who taught me to fish for crappie used to tell me that if I wasn't going to mounta big crappie in the 2 to 3 pound range, to throw it back because big crappie produce big crappie. I used to never catch that many to worry about and my house looks like wild kingdom with all the mounts. I also use a guide a lot on Weiss Lake and he tells me the exact same thing that my uncle used to tell me years ago. If we catch a 2 pounder or larger, he ask us to put it back if we arn't going to mount it. Any truth to this and does anyone else do this. I am not judging anyone so if you slayem, more power to you. I just want to see what everyones opinion on the subject is.

[Jig Man]

The way I have had people explain it to me is - A 2lb.+ fish is obviously very healthy and has good genetic make up to reach that stature. By releasing these fish and allowing them to spawn we are passing these good genetics on to the next generation of fish. Usually humans have some of the same physical characteristics as their parents and grandparents so hopefully this is true with crappie. I sometimes release these large fish especially during the spawn when they are carrying a large sack of eggs. Now don't get me wrong, I have put the knife to some also - depends on how the catch was that day.
Big crappie 2+ lbs. are kind of rough on the fillet knife blades also. I myself would much rather clean a 1-1 1/2 lb. fish. (they fit on the bread better) lol!

[CrappiePappy]

... that can o worms has been opened before :p and most seem to go along with the idea, usually referring to "genetics" as their point of contention. Others, especially those that are more interested in meat than "glory" .... well, they just ain't havin none of that "let 'em go to grow/produce more big'uns" ideology. :D

Personally, I don't see the genetics idea being as valid as it's presented.
I base that on the fact that Crappie are 'multiple partner' spawners .... they don't mate for life, and they don't mate with only one male. They will, given the opportunity, drop eggs in many different nests. I'm not sure just how picky they are, about their male partners, either So, with that in mind, and even if they are "picky" about the male & his nest location (or looks) .... how is it that genetics are going to play the role of producing bigger fish, when the survival of the fry is maybe one in a hundred (to even get to be old enough to spawn, themselves)
Seems to me to be more of a numbers game, than a genetics one. The fish are spreading their eggs out thru numerous mates, with the "idea" that (hopefully) at least some of their offspring should survive.

Also, one has to recognize that (at least in this state) the fish are generally only going to live for 5-8yrs. That depends on so many different factors, that it's a small wonder that they survive at all. And, since "bigger" (or faster growing) doesn't necessarily equate to "smarter" .... how would genetics produce the results they claim ? Again, it seems more likely that the production of "numbers", over a broad field of male partners, is the survival tactic of choice.

The ability of a body of water, to produce & sustain a population of fish, seems to be the key to "size & numbers" ... not the genetics of the lucky few that grow large. I think they ALL have the capacity to grow to a large size, since their genetics are spread throughout each succeeding generation. We don't catch all of the big ones, either :D I'd venture to say that there's been more 3 & 4 pound Crappie die of old age ... than have ever been hooked/caught by us anglers.

It takes a KY Crappie about 3yrs to become mature enough to spawn. At 3yrs of age, they're generally what ?? .... 9-10" long. That's the minimum length of keeper size fish, in lakes with a length limit. With those thoughts in mind, and the idea that the KDFWR wants us to be able to catch quality & quantity (so we'll continue to purchase licences & support them) .... if genetics was the key factor, then why wouldn't they put a slot limit on Crappie Say, something like .... keep your limit of 10-12" fish, and release the rest. That would suffice to keep the population going (enough little fish to grow into the keeper slot, & enough big ones to keep spawning more replacements) ... and still allow anglers to harvest good quality fish & fish of a edible size. And, besides all that .... consider this : A 3yr old Crappie can spawn, and they pass on their genetics to their offspring. They don't get "better" genetics as they age .... so they'd be passing on the same genetics, at age 8, as they are at age 3 !!! And seeing as how they pass these genetic traits on, thru multiple male partners, every year they spawn ... they aren't mating for genetic superiority, they're diluting the genetics down to a "average" level.

I could be way off base, here ... but, that's how it appears to me.

... cp

[BIGBADDAD]

... that can o worms has been opened before :p and most seem to go along with the idea, usually referring to "genetics" as their point of contention. Others, especially those that are more interested in meat than "glory" .... well, they just ain't havin none of that "let 'em go to grow/produce more big'uns" ideology. :D

Personally, I don't see the genetics idea being as valid as it's presented.
I base that on the fact that Crappie are 'multiple partner' spawners .... they don't mate for life, and they don't mate with only one male. They will, given the opportunity, drop eggs in many different nests. I'm not sure just how picky they are, about their male partners, either So, with that in mind, and even if they are "picky" about the male & his nest location (or looks) .... how is it that genetics are going to play the role of producing bigger fish, when the survival of the fry is maybe one in a hundred (to even get to be old enough to spawn, themselves)
Seems to me to be more of a numbers game, than a genetics one. The fish are spreading their eggs out thru numerous mates, with the "idea" that (hopefully) at least some of their offspring should survive.

Also, one has to recognize that (at least in this state) the fish are generally only going to live for 5-8yrs. That depends on so many different factors, that it's a small wonder that they survive at all. And, since "bigger" (or faster growing) doesn't necessarily equate to "smarter" .... how would genetics produce the results they claim ? Again, it seems more likely that the production of "numbers", over a broad field of male partners, is the survival tactic of choice.

The ability of a body of water, to produce & sustain a population of fish, seems to be the key to "size & numbers" ... not the genetics of the lucky few that grow large. I think they ALL have the capacity to grow to a large size, since their genetics are spread throughout each succeeding generation. We don't catch all of the big ones, either :D I'd venture to say that there's been more 3 & 4 pound Crappie die of old age ... than have ever been hooked/caught by us anglers.

It takes a KY Crappie about 3yrs to become mature enough to spawn. At 3yrs of age, they're generally what ?? .... 9-10" long. That's the minimum length of keeper size fish, in lakes with a length limit. With those thoughts in mind, and the idea that the KDFWR wants us to be able to catch quality & quantity (so we'll continue to purchase licences & support them) .... if genetics was the key factor, then why wouldn't they put a slot limit on Crappie Say, something like .... keep your limit of 10-12" fish, and release the rest. That would suffice to keep the population going (enough little fish to grow into the keeper slot, & enough big ones to keep spawning more replacements) ... and still allow anglers to harvest good quality fish & fish of a edible size. And, besides all that .... consider this : A 3yr old Crappie can spawn, and they pass on their genetics to their offspring. They don't get "better" genetics as they age .... so they'd be passing on the same genetics, at age 8, as they are at age 3 !!! And seeing as how they pass these genetic traits on, thru multiple male partners, every year they spawn ... they aren't mating for genetic superiority, they're diluting the genetics down to a "average" level.

I could be way off base, here ... but, that's how it appears to me.

... cp

That is an awesome read CP! I keep enough crappie/stripes to stock my freezer for awhile and then release the rest. In May, a church near Draffenville holds a "hook em for the hungry" drive. Drop off fish in their cooler and they filet and give to the poor. By then I am into the stripes and donate a coupla limits to help. I never keep more than I'd eat in about 6 months.

[tubejig]

I saw the question and answer show for KDFW and this question was posed. The bioligist said that it does'nt matter. A 2lb crappie may have more eggs than a 10 in. crappie but they were'nt genetically superior they have just been alive longer.

[Jigboy]

I am kinda like Bigbaddad where I keep enough to get me at least 6 months of fish and then I typically switch to other species to catch. Usually by the time I get through the spring run I have enough to keep my family stocked along with my father and mom. I do like to hit the crappie under the lights during the summer to keep my stock up, then I usually hit the bass and stripers and later hit the Lake Michigan trout and salmon run in late summer. I wish I had the problem all the time to worry about but the 2 pounders are few and far between but I think I would throw them back regardless of genetics or not, I think we all agree they do produce a lot of eggs meaning more crappie for the future. No matter what your opinion or what you do, I hope we all run into this situation a lot on deciding to throw back or put the knife to them and I would never blink to see anyone fileting a three pounder except wondering why they didn't put it on the wall.