Thread: Why Crappie????? (A rainy day thought)

I was just sitting here checking in for the day and the question came to mind. Since starting my quest for this fish I have been like a sponge soaking up every bit of info about Crappie fishing I can access. Then it hit me today, WHY? Yes there mighty tasty to eat. Second to Bluegill for me....So why not Bluegill? Then there is the fact that they don't give much of a fight way short of the Largemouth I hunted for years. For the most part they can be caught in most all lakes in this area just about anytime. So as I'm writing this I'm thinking, thinking and thinking just a little more. WHY? ( This spot filled with a good 30 minute ponder) So here is the best answer I can come up with. It's a slower pace than racing around the lake tournament fishing for Largemouth. It takes more skill to dial in on than Bluegill. Then finally it must have to do with the fact that I can look for days at baits and accessories on Basspro that I know I need. Hmmm. So how about all of you papermouth pursuers?

Because it's hard to find a 13-15" bluegill.

The taste!

Asked that very question of myself last week as I feasted on yummy grilled catfish. Crappie are unique in their own way... a delicate taste... something different. I have to admit, I've had bluegill bend my ultralight rod completely under the boat. As someone else described it... catching a crappie " is like pulling in a wet dish rag". For me , I like to see those big crappie mouths come on top of the water. And like you say, there is this whole different set of toys to spend your money on... like fancy B&M canepoles, exotic rod holders, side finding sonar. I believe the proof in the pudding will be if you try to fish for them all summer...not just in the easy spring time when even a bluegill fisherman like me lucks into a few. This is my first year to "get serious"... and I guess I will know later how I come out on that one. Maybe instead of buying those fancy cane poles, I should have invested in some serious catfish gear? I hope I have many more years to figure that one out.

HHD

I am very similar to the other posts I like to eat fish. I like to have fish fry's I am from the east coast and my favorite fish hands down is fresh flounder...Now since I moved to the midwest there hasn't been to many fish that can rival fresh flounder. Except for crappie, then in my book it's walleye, then it is perch, the bluegill(if you can find big ones), the rest are all in the same category. I have been involved in bass tournament fishing and b/c I am competitive it had it's appeal and attraction. But the money is what stopped me. Good Bass fishing equipment is really expensive but for a good reason you are casting all of the time. Wears out joints and wrists etc..I am sure if you ask kevin vandam or rick clunn or any of those guys fishing for bass will wear you out if your not careful. But anyway back to the crappie. I enjoy it because there is a challenge...catching good #'s of quality fish is not easy except in spring or fall. You aren't going to cause a tar and feathering because you keep a dozen or so for the freezer, nor are you a second class citizen either. I think the sport of crappie fishing is following dangerously close to that of bass fishing but I hope it never gets to that point. I hope it remains a working mans way to get out and enjoy the outdoors and doesn't go the route of a commercialized media and money driven industry

Good question B'town. It's simple for me. Crappie is much more rewarding than bass fising (and other types I've tried) as it offers its own challenges and rewards you when you do your homework/strategy to find one (usually you will find a school). Other types of fishing can be too much like work due to running from location to location over the lake & casting countless times. Crappie fishing can be simple too- find the right depth and location and it's on! Not to mention night stalking- that's another world of crappie fishing that can be very productive.

'cause it's in ma B L O O D!! :D

aj

I think they are great table fair.

For me it's all the information about the hunt for crappie and like Hooiser crappie said once you learn where they are it's on (like hot buttered pop corn) you find one crappie of one size they tend to hang aroud others the same size so you can have a good mess of fish in no time. For me it's the hunt for them and then the feast after you get them on the plate at the house.

Nothing wrong with filleted bass...will eat 'em myself, catfish, striper, and trout too, but nothing beats crappie and bream as far as I'm concerned. Also, catching crappie puts fish in the livewell ALOT better than catching other species of fish if you are a 12 month a year fisherman. If you believe pulling in crappie is like pulling in a wet dish rag, then you need lighter equipment. Slab crappie can put up quite a fight if fished with 4# line on ultralight equipment, also on long poles too.