SOMETHING TO PONDER ON COLD BLUSTRY DAYS WE CANT FISH

[Crappiegirl1]

What is the LIFE SPAN OF A CRAPPIE--WHITE OR BLACK, UNCAUGHT,SWIMMING IN PERFECT CONDITIONS ASSUMING NO OTHER PREDATOR EATS HIM? MALE OR FEMALE

[flycaster]

Trying to determine the lifespan of any fish can be difficult particularly fish that are found in different locations around the country or world. Like humans, there is a large range of how long fish can live, mainly because of conditions in each area. The availability of food, predators and the overall quality of the environment play a significant role. For the crappie fish, the average lifespan in the wild is about seven years. This is only the case when the fish is found in abundant food areas as well as in areas that are not heavily fished. Add an angler into the mix (or many) and you will find that the lifespan is cut drastically. The oldest recorded lifespan of a crappie is 15 years. Some varieties, such as the black crappie can average 6 to 10 years of life.

[Speckanator]

found this.....not sure I believe it....



then again....why not.....?

[huntinslabs]

The oldest fish they found at Crescent when they wss there pulling the earbones was either 5 or 6. And that wss that super black pig Stu caught. A bunch of fish over 13" was caught and checked that day. So that chart must be from up north with the short growing seasons.

[Crappiegirl1]

If speckanator chart would be correct then those 2 1/2 lb rs must be 10 or so years old and 3 lb say around 12 years old or so?? There must be a point where throwing those biggies back is pointless if they just gonna die from old age anyway?? Lol

[TnT]

If speckanator chart would be correct then those 2 1/2 lb rs must be 10 or so years old and 3 lb say around 12 years old or so?? There must be a point where throwing those biggies back is pointless if they just gonna die from old age anyway?? Lol

Here are some points to ponder.....
#1. They are harder to fillet and they need to be cut up into strips, especially when frying them with smaller fish so that they get cooked good.
#2. If Speckanator throws him back, I have a chance to experience that thrill. I catch and release it, CG1 now has a chance. She does the same and maybe even Slab (maybe that's exaggerating too much) will get his chance. The biggest thrill would be if someone catches one that big slab for their FIRST time, especially a kid.
#3. The state record of 3.83 lbs will never be broken. Everyone I know would love to be the one to break that record.
#4. Releasing a biggun shows true sportsmanship.

Just my

[Anchor Man]

What TNT said times two. I think the chart that Mike showed is from up north, I think the fish in the south have better food source and a much longer growing season. I talked to a biologist a few years ago and he said they grow 1" to 2" a year depending on the area and food source and that it took 5 years to grow a 10'fish. I also think that those 2+ pound fish are from 7 to 10 years old. If they made it that far in life they deserve to get put back and have a chance to live out their life. That doesn't mean someone else would catch them and put them in the hot grease. For me it's personal preference and I feel good when I give them a second chance. I also think that it's good sportsmanship by doing what I do. just my

[arkcrappie]

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/arkan...-growth-2.html Here's a link to a thread from the Arkansas forum where one of the state biologist is on the board and readily answers questions. The biologist in this thread is screen named D10

From what he says in the thread, I would think that growth chart was from a place with a short growing season.

[Crappiegirl1]

Fyi. This was a question that I sometimes wonder about and the reference to eating the Old fish was a joke as I too believe in saving them to swim another day. This thread was just to get the subject out there to possibly find the answers

[Crappiegirl1]

Tt I do agree with #1 lol