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We have a local opinionist who pontificates much to often about a state lake in our area.His recent post dealt with the size of crappie folks should keep.In His opinion,folks were keeping too large of crappie,he stated no crappie should be kept over 7”.
I’m no expert ,but I have caught 16” crappie on this lake,but most average 12”-14”,of course all lakes have dinks. I’m not sure where keeping only the 7” and under is the way to go,what say Ye?
Crappie only live about four years....so might as well keep and eat the big ones
The conservation dept in Missouri is outstanding. They do a fantastic job taking samples, stocking, creating habitat and setting limits appropriate to the populations so we don't have to worry about it. If they say the fish is fair game its goin in the fryin pan.
At 7 inches you could read this post through the fillets
I fish places where 9 inch fish are legal and I do not keep anything not 10 inches . Just not enough meat on them bones @ 7 inches .
Under 10" let em go and let em grow.Attachment 372188
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Agree w/others no sense to keep fish under 10" meat wise....like a bench mark of 11" & above actually.....also like anything else, as a fish ages it bound to get slower & w/ predators swimming in waters like ours in Florida, it's probably the reason our state record will never fall, just shy of 4 lbs.....but I sure would like to be wrong.....
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I rarely keep fish under 11”, but I’m not against keeping a limit of smaller ones to fry up fresh, just like bream.
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every lake is different and personally I release those 14 and up as that's how you get to bigger ones. In my home lake the numbers are incredible and if things are slow will keep fatter 8" to cook whole and then it's worthwhile and need to take more fish out. released one approaching 16 last year as I just couldn't kill it and you HOPE it gets to lake record tho most likely someone else will get the thrill of ketchn it.
If your average is 12" to 14" I wouldn't change a thing. You're a lucky man.
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AMEN!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Locator79
This sounds more like, "You keep all the itty bitties, so I can catch all the biggies" If we keep them that small here, we would pretty quickly get arrested. 10" on up is the only way the go home.
Haha, that is exactly what I thought !Quote:
Originally Posted by S10CHEVY
Key to growing big fish is based on numbers more than size. Take out as many as you catch to give others more food.
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Sounds like the conservation program (and those who studied to run it) is working great! Follow the state rules. The opinions of others......what works for some doesn't necessarily have to work for others. Where I fish, anything under 10" gets thrown back. I personally don't want to mess with smaller fish on a cleaning table. Another example of "TO EACH THEIR OWN"!!! It's like deer hunting. Some like those smaller ones to eat. Me, give me a good 3 year-old and I'm happy. But, in my state, both are legal! DO YOU!