Quote Originally Posted by Crappie ciller View Post
I think you raise a very real concern. It is obviously time for us to adopt a catch and release mentality like anglers of other species have done for years. I don’t think we are in any danger of running out of crappie but we can sure have an impact on large fish, which are so easy to target with LS. Most of us feel that the smaller fish are better eating anyway so it I hope more of us will follow the example of this video’s author, and release big fish to grow and to be caught again. I recently caught a fish that weighed 1.62- turned it loose and then 3 hours later returned to that lay down and caught another 1.62 with a hole in his lip. He was just as much fun to catch the second time as the first. Yesterday I caught a 2.24 with 3 holes in her mouth! She fought like it was her first time and I sure appreciate the first 3 fishermen that released her. Thanks to you guys who are doing this. I expect we will see a lot more 3 pounders caught as a result.
I agree with this, I fear the big crappie will for sure suffer. Fished Monday caught one that was 16 inch 2.76 lb was the biggest all winter. Caught another that weighed 2.1 lbs and three that went a pound a piece released all five. I have caught more 2lb crappie this winter than I ever have and released all over 2 lbs. If we don't we won't have many big crappie. Believe me I have cleaned plenty, those smaller crappie eat better to me.