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We don't have many white crappie in our lakes here, so when I caught a nice white and a nice black today that were each 15 1/4" I had to get out the scales and compare: here are the results..... the white was 1.32 lbs. the black was 1.63 lbs. Both fish were well fed and in good shape the black was deeper bodied and had thicker shoulders. Bet they both eat the same, but am glad we have mostly blacks in our lakes.
A healthy 15 1/4" White Crappie that was only 1.3lbs? WOW! Did you remove the otoliths? I would be willing to bet that the Black is much older.
White Crappie 15'' in good shape should be closer to 1.75 or even 2 lbs . Blacks tend to be heavier for length . Each species prefer different habitat . Whites usually do better in fertile , dingy waters where Blacks tend to do best in clear and relatively infertile waters .
Good to hear you pulled a couple of nice crappie out of the Village lakes. I ate the ones from yesterday which included both species. Didn't notice a difference, just yummy goodness.
I think it is time to check my scales.... fish were full of ghost minnows and certainly not poor.Quote:
Originally Posted by NIMROD
Nope, never tried to find them in a fish. May have to start looking.... how do you get to them?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cmj
I also think the blacks fight harder and agree you might need to check your scales. .nice catch!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cache22
I have only witnessed it one time, so I have no business trying to explain it. D10 has done thousands of them, maybe he has a video?
Im sure your local biologist would have been happy to check those fish out and show you how to remove the otoliths.
You can have a jeweler to make your wife some ear rings out of the otoliths. I would figure they could be called precious stones since mine cost me about $100 a pair:biggrin
Great idea for supplementing SS!! Gold plated otolith earrings. Every crappie pro should have one or two to wear, just like the NFL!
I haven't made a video but you could probably find one on YouTube. It is defiently easier to show someone how to do it than trying to explain in typed words. If you are around Mayflower, come by and I'll show you.
Better catch big Crappie cause they are very small .:biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by cache22
Quote:
Originally Posted by D10
Lots of videos on you tube about removing otoliths, but none for Crappie. I butchered a couple of big Crappie trying to do it the way they did a different type of fish, I can't remember which one it was. They went in from the top of the head. It did not work for my Crappie!
Works for the huge rocks in Drum but like you on Crappie I did not have any luck . They are so small may need to use my glasses next time .:RoflQuote:
Originally Posted by Cmj
That really leaves me out. Blind in one eye and can't see out the other. Do fish have one or two otoliths? If 2 would double my chances.