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Hit a local reservoir yesterday. Caught a few perch etc. Finally found some shellcrackers. Caught about 8, kept 5. Kept a few perch and gills for a meal too.
This one made my day. Weighed it in today after being on ice all night.
2lbs. 5 1/2oz.
Attachment 19227
Here it is compared to an 11"+, 1lb.+ cracker that I caught. I can't wait to get back out there.
Attachment 19228
Holy Crap! :eek:
I'm sitting here pulling out my ruler to see how long it is at 15 inches. That's a huge freaking cracker! Wouldn't take many of those to fill a freezer! Congrats on catching that big brute!!!
That's one BIG REDEAR.
thats a huge cracker congrats
Damn!
..............im at a loss for words.
WOW.
I know I just replied, but this is just sinking in........
I consider an 8 inch panfish to be a monster........I cannot fathom a cracker that big.............
I do believe that is the biggest Shellcracker I have ever seen. Dang, I'd have to think about mounting that one, WOW!!!!!!!!
Bluegill :eek:
What a Catch!
nice!
Awesome fish, great catch!
I've mounted several in that weight range but none have been that long.
Congrats on a great fish.
Congrats man, you sure got your money's worth on that one. I can't stand it, you made up my mind for me, I'm going fishing in the morning. If I could catch one half that size I would be excited.
"gene"
That is an amazing fish! Man, more meat on that one guy than on all 12 5-6 inchers I cleaned today.
Don't see too many shellcrackers where I live. Why no red on the ears? If I were to catch that 2 pounder here I would think I had the world record longear.
Damn skippy... I agree here... mount that bad boy and brag until you can't talk about it anymore. How was the fight with him? Very very impressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluegill Bill
dang that is the biggest shellcracker i have ever seen
All I can say is WOW.
WOW is right that is huge! Congratulations!!
That would have to go on my wall. Good job!!!!
Thing looks like a cross between a crappie and a bluegill. Nice fish! As far as I know, Oklahoma does not have any shellcrackers. It would be one of those times when you catch a fish and wonder, what the heck is it?
My hat is off to you for that catch. As my grandson would say "That is AWSOME!!! Mike
what for bait??????
I agree with everyone else. That is an impressive fish. I can say with certainty that I have never seen one that size. That thing is bigger than the ones down at the Bass Pro aquarium. I would definitely be saving up some change to get him mounted.
I'm with everyone else, Get that bad boy mounted!!!!!!
Congrats,
Fatman
I am impressed! Only in my dreams. That is the biggest shellcracker I have ever seen!:):cool:
Oh yeah, guess I left that out.:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by creekman
Three way swivel rig with a 1/16th chart/orange bare jighead dressed with a crawler on the dropper. Plain red #4 hook on top with a chartreuse bait floater. Again with a crawler.
Fish had taken both hooks.:eek:
Ok - here's the deal. I know the difference between shellcrackers, b/g, red ear, but I have a hard time explaining to friends the EXACT difference. Can anyone give me the language to explain this difference?? or direct me to a web site that can do this for me. Thanks guys - JJ
wow..what a hawg
Dang, that is BIG. Congrats.
HOLY CRACKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome fish. Gotta say I agree with finding a spot on the wall of fame for that one. I like that bait rig too. I gotta try that one. I know you are farther north than what I fish, but wondering how deep of water you found him in. Congrats again.
Jimmy, Shellcrackers are the heavyweights of the bream family, and you wont find them just anywhere. They grow twice as fast as a regular bluegill. They are eating machines, that will poop all over you while your taking him off your line. They love clams about the size of your fingernails, mussels too Ive heard. They tend to stay on the bottom most of the time. The shape is different too, their face is more pointed than a bluegills, and I think their tail section seems a little longer too. They have crushing plates in their throats, to crush the clam shells, and when you put them in a cooler with water, the bottom of the cooler will get broken shell fragments on the bottom, they spit'em up I reckon. Lots of people hollar crappie when they see one for the first time, at a glance, but these things are brutes, that are thick and strong, and If you horse one to the boat, they can break 8lb. test. That's only a 1 1/2 pounder. If you ever catch some nice ones, you'll be hopelessly hooked. Didn't mean to ramble on, but I think you can see, I have a soft spot for them. Oh yeah, and I use red wigglers, on the bottom.
You tell em redear. They'll have you hooked after you have a day like this.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...n/IMG_0019.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...n/IMG_0025.jpg
Chaunc, That is a fine mess of crackers. Between shellquackers photos and your photos, I'm pacing the floor, and layin in bed at nite with my eyes wide open. Can't sleep with my heart rate up like that. lol I almost feel ashamed of myself for expressing this on a crappie site. I need therapy. lol
Wow what a great catch!
Thanks guys. Wondering if Crackers would do good in a 1 acre pond about 15 feet deep?? Any thoughts? Thx JD
They're excellent pond fish Jimmy. They don't lay as many eggs as other panfish, and can feed on things that the bluegills don't utilize. Snails, crawdads, large aquatic insects etc. If I had a pond that size, they'd definately be in there.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmydee1
Nice catch by the way Chaunc! Those fish have some really red "ears".
redear, lol, you made my day. I haven't felt the fish passion like that in a while. I know exactly what you mean though, sometimes you just have to get that out! Isn't it amazing that a FISH can make us feel that way? It's good to be alive.Quote:
Originally Posted by redear
Okstatejiggy, yes they got me all messed up, for about six years now. And the good thing about them is, they don't have to take up any of your prime crappie fishing time. Reason being, seems like the hotter the weather, the better they bite, in other words 100 degree days can really produce alot of action, if you can stand it. Personally, I try to go on a day when its in the low 90's, and I wear the lightweight nylon clothing that you see some of the hot weather fishermen wear, along with a floppy hat to keep the sun off you as much as possible. I'm seriously thinking about keeping an umbrella in the boat for those 95 degree days when your just sitting there watching rod tips. And a couple bottles of gatorade to go along with the bottled water, is smart to take along too. I have seen people come back from cracker fishin with a bunch of good ones, and they would be looking like a beet where the sun burned them up, and they couldn't stand to leave them biting. But they was smilin though! Thats what I call hopeless! in a good way.
Redear, here's what i got to help with those hot days.
Pro-Techt Mantis Top, Pro-Tech Mantis Umbrella, Protecht Mantis Cover, Protech Canopy
Also helps keep the rain off you too.:D Just a little tough in the wind tho.
OMG-- that is one nice fish, I agree-mount him. Congrats on the catch.:)