In-Fisherman Crappie article

[GRIZZ]

This month there is a very interesting article in In-fisherman with its main theme being a touchy subject to crappie anglers and something I believe needed to be covered in a national magazine to be widely read. The subject is catch and release crappies and the effects of over harvesting breeders from trophy waters. Its a very well written article and I hope many read it.

[Darryl Morris]

For those of us that don't have the magazine yet, in summary what were the writer's conclusions?

[Countryboy N.C.]

I support catch and release, Be doing so for years now. There is no way I could eat all the fish that I catch, Not bragging , But when you fish once a week or more , Thats alot of fish. I dont like to clean more than 10 fish at a time. I have not read the article yet. I maybe getting a head of the real meaning of the article, but I though I would throw my two cents worth in.

[dedawg1149]

i support catch & grease when i am hungry or if some friends or family wants some fish ,but the rest of the times i catch & release

[Crappie Reaper]

I catch, release, hold, cull, filet, and eat. It all depends on the day I had. If I never caught a fish to eat, what's the purpose? To spend tons of money to go fishing and never eat what you catch? My freezer is always going to have some Crappie in it, and when it's low, I'll stock it up again. Those that do catch and release always, thanks, that gives me a chance to land them.

[rocket rich]

Itl's not so much as Catch and Release as to the size you keep. Self imposed size limits are good nothing under 10 inches should be taken if you want good fish in the future. I too am a catch and release guy as I do fish 3-4 days a week and could not eat all the fish i catch .

[AtticaFish]

The subject is catch and release crappies and the effects of over harvesting breeders from trophy waters.

The key word here is breeders. Thats talking of larger fish capable of recruitment, not the smaller fish. I read the article, but again this goes against most state regs that have only a minimum size limit and let you keep all the big-uns. It is my belief that there should be a slot size for keepers, something like between 9" and 13" but would depend on the indiv. lake. I fish some lakes for bass that have this system in place and there are some BIG bass in there. Only problem is that it would cost states alot of money that isn't there right now to keep up with new regs.

I practice my own limits (size & #'s per year, not per day) that change between lakes I fish, and wish more fisherman would do the same. Overall point is, we all have to be responsible to enjoy any given lake for years to come.

[Bob # 1]

Read the article, and was very informative.
If you have chance should pick up a copy and read it

[chuckauten]

I try not to keep anything under 11". If I see an older person, couple or some youg fishermen, I check to see how they are doing. If not so well, I will give them the fish I have kept. Cleaning fish is not my favorite thing to do. Also, if a fish is gut hooked and above 10", I will keep.

I have seen to many fishermen, both on the bank and in a boat, keep 10"(questionable) fish. I would like to see more of us impose a minimum size limit of 11" on our selves and if you have some fish in the freezer, do a catch and release or share with kids who do not have boats yet. Who knows, it might give them an incentative to work, get a boat and stay away from drugs.

Chuck

[skiptomylu]

Well for most of the year catch and release is a good thing, but on Toledo Bend from I think, Dec. 1 through the end of Feb. you must keep all crappie with no consideration to size. I think this is because of the Chicken Coop where they catch them in big numbers and deep, like 40' down and the Texas Parks & Wildlife think they will not live anyway so it is a must keep time for 3 months.