Quote Originally Posted by wmac62 View Post
I agree the Asian Carp are an issue and have an ecological effect on other species of fish to include Crappie, however there is a man made problem as well and it is called "Over Fishing" In 2018 with all of the latest technology the novice fisherman with the most basic GPS and Fish Finder can locate structure and hammer Crappie from these locations at times. Years ago it was not so easy, you used a map, land mark references and a little luck, all of that is now gone with electronics. Of course there are many more factors such as flooding, low water, high water on and on which effect the quality of a spawn. I know guys who go out daily and catch 30 or 40 per day, seven days a week practically, brag about catching upward of 500 fish for the season, yes this does effect the numbers of fish, especially during the spawn. Last, just my opinion I cringe every time I see or hear someone say it barely was legal size, but I kept it. Just don't see the point myself, not worth cleaning or messing with, back in the water they go. I hope the day never comes where they do what they have in Florida, set short seasons, and very limited creel on some salt water species such as Red Snapper (two per person) and that's it. I love Red Snapper , I guess two is better then zero!
By the creel data they say tn looks good. Biologist presented the data and compared it through several years at a meeting in 2016 I went to.I also went to a meeting at few years before the 2016 meeting and everything was about the same acording to creel data.The data showed you have good and bad years as far as the spawn is concerned.It shows the mortality/survival recruitment rate also.He said that's why keeper fish varied year to year,sometimes a couple years if consecutive bad spawn and mortality rate years.I do agree electronics have made a huge difference in angler success rate.But I do know lots of spring fisherman without good electronics struggling to catch enough for supper.We all think we have the answer,that's the only reason I say listen to the biologist.Pole limit, size,lowering creel,one hook,etc, do whatever needs to be done if biologist think it will help,I would be all in if that's what they recommended.

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