KY 4 lber

[crappietale]

I don't question it's size and it looks more like a black than a white. I will say that releasing an extremely large (and very old) fish like that is very often a waste like this one was. There is little justification for it. Old fish often expire from the stress of a fight (as this one did), and fishermen who release them are unaware of it because they die on the bottom. If that happens, nobody gets a chance to catch that fish again. Contrary to what some think, very old fish are not the best reproducers either. Some are sterile. It would have been an exercise of good conservation to keep that monster. What happened was a predictable waste of an extraordinary specimen.

[slimeyslab]

That is sure a nice fish. Was very nobile of the man to release. Not all old fish are sterile and die upon release. Some have great genetics which have aloud them to get this large and old. Great Job!

[crappiepappy]

Since the lake is quite small, crossbreeding could definitely be a possibility. Take, for instance, our current state record fish :

Crappie 4 lbs 14 oz - watershed lake - Penny Hopper 5/8/2005


This Crappie is a naturally occurring hybrid cross, and came from a small, Christian County watershed lake.

... cp

[azslabber]

I bet that he had a very tastey fillet.I am with the eat em.He did what he did for a long time.

[JUNGLEJIMJIGS]

That crappie is huge,it looks like a 4 to me. What would I give to catch one that size? Just about anything I have,which isn't much.Shame the old gal didn't make it.

[crappiemike]

to bad it croaked, thnx for the report and that pic!!!

cm

[catman]

that is a great fish,,, maybe someday..

[ekySlabber]

I remembered that fish Mrs Hopper caught and thats why I was thinking it may have been a mix/hybrid, cuz the fish look similar. There are many 6 inch white/black crappie that mingle together in that lake. It has qualities of both species. Second pic looks more black crappieish. Hybrid or not who cares, its fertilizer now.... Can a hybrid/mix qualify for a record???? Mrs. Hoppers was bigger than this one anyways but figured that might been why ya didnt hear much bout this fish at all. That or the fact that it was caught in middle of boondocks. Was an old fish thats for sure.

[shipahoy41]

That is a super fish! Congrats.

[crappiepappy]

Can a hybrid/mix qualify for a record????

... not an IGFA record, as Penny found out.

About the only "record" that the Carnico Crappie can qualify for ... would be that lake's record. And I don't think KDFWR even keeps those records.

To break the state record, a Crappie would have to be heavier than Penny's fish. KY does not distinguish between the Crappie species ... they're all lumped together, hybrids/crossbreeds included.

The interesting thing is, that if it were not for Penny Hopper's record fish ... the Carnico Crappie would have tied the state record

I think it's going to be awhile before Penny's record is broken.

...cp