They can grow an inch per year,it all depends on the forage available.Up here in Mn. I get around 600 eyes a year. I get mister twister 3 inch sassy shads black/pearl on a 1/4 to 1/2 oz. jig. I troll or cast trying to stay within a foot of the bottom. My favorite is to troll in 10 feet of water just off of the weed line.I will go up to 5 feet and out to 18 feet of water. It all depends on were I am marking them.I'll include a photo of 1 that went 8 lbs.and one that was 6lbs.
I agree with everyone that crappies are better table fair and the fight is as good with the right tackle.