How to acknowledge a big crappie-Weight of Measure?

[barrelslime]

I'm just wondering what others think is the best way to proclaim a big fish. Since some states have regulations on size according to length, I have always thought the best way to show off a big fish is to measure it for length.

Panfish and weight just don't seem practical. A big spawned out female is what it is, but a week earlier would have been a lot heavier. Fall fish eating heavily will be heavier than in summer. But their length is mostly the same through out a season.

So I vote for measure the length.

Now tell me why I'm wrong LOL. Really I'd just like to hear others opinions and have a good discussion. Maybe this will be the start of a nationwide movement to stop weighing Crappie and measure their length.........

Post your reason for your vote.

[Cmj]

I normally only weigh a fish if I think it is over two pounds, mostly out of curiosity. If it is a larger than average fish, I will weigh and measure it just for reference. I have caught 14" fish that went 1 3/4lbs(pretty good fish), and I have caught 16" fish that weighed 1 1/2lbs(not so good Imo). If I am wanting to bragg, I do both. Otherwise, no need to measure OR weigh a fish except for size limit-reasons.

[barrelslime]

I normally only weigh a fish if I think it is over two pounds, mostly out of curiosity. If it is a larger than average fish, I will weigh and measure it just for reference. I have caught 14" fish that went 1 3/4lbs(pretty good fish), and I have caught 16" fish that weighed 1 1/2lbs(not so good Imo). If I am wanting to bragg, I do both. Otherwise, no need to measure OR weigh a fish except for limit size-reasons.

That's my point exactly. Weight comes and goes, Length should be the unit for a good fish (speaking for panfish). IMHO

[Cmj]

That's my point exactly. Weight comes and goes, Length should be the unit for a good fish (speaking for panfish). IMHO

If someone tells me they caught a 15" fish, my first question is, "What did it weigh?" I don't assume that it is a good fish just because it has length. There are lakes here that a 15" fish would not be very impressive due to its poor health. Other lakes, a healthy 15" fish could go close to 2 1/4lbs. Length alone isn't very telling IMO.

[barrelslime]

True but the same is true for weight.
Theres no wrong or right answer. Thanks for replying..

[1fishhound1]

If its impressive when it comes out of the water it will probably get weighed.

[Cmj]

True but the same is true for weight.
Thanks for replying..

No problem, that's why I said I do both. I see in your signature that your best Crappie was 17 1/2". What did it weigh??

[CrappiePappy]

Generally, I only measure to be assured that it's of legal length for the state or lake I'm fishing. I'm of the school of thought that length is for legality, weight is for bragging

There's also a big difference in a fish's weight per length, according to the lake/state it comes from, as well as what season it was caught in. Which of the two species of Crappie it is, can also be a factor.

IMHO ... if it matters enough to know "how big it is", then BOTH measurements are needed, plus which species, since "my 17in fish" may weigh more than "your 17in fish" ... and categorizing them as "equal", on length alone, would not be fair judgement.

... cp

["D"]

Most tournaments go by weight.

[Cmj]

Generally, I only measure to be assured that it's of legal length for the state or lake I'm fishing. I'm of the school of thought that length is for legality, weight is for bragging

There's also a big difference in a fish's weight per length, according to the lake/state it comes from, as well as what season it was caught in. Which of the two species of Crappie it is, can also be a factor.

IMHO ... if it matters enough to know "how big it is", then BOTH measurements are needed, plus which species, since "my 17in fish" may weigh more than "your 17in fish" ... and categorizing them as "equal", on length alone, would not be fair judgement.

... cp

My thoughts exactly