Thread: Article: Crappie Fishermen – Let’s Change the Game By Bernard Williams, Outdoor Write

I have fished for crappie only about 3 years. Most of my crappie trips have been on the Choctawhachee River and over at Lake Talquin near Quincy, FL.

Several months ago someone started a discussion in the Florida thread on raising the size limit on Talquin from 10 to 12 inches. After a good number of postings the discussion deteriorated to the point the discussion was shut down. I think if more folks in that discussion had the insight you have expressed in this article the discussion may have taken a different tone.

I think your insight will get a lot of folks thinking and they will appreciate your thoughts. It may take a lot of education and persuading for crappie anglers to buy in to catch and release across the board, but I think maybe raising the size limit would be a good start to consider. I know Talquin has a 10 inch minimum size but I don't know of any other lakes or rivers in the Florida Panhandle than does. It will be a tug-of-war with all the various interest involved, but change is not always easy to make it happen. Let the debate begin!

Good article, thanks for sharing.

RELEASE THE FEMALES UNLESS YOU'RE GOING TO MOUNT THEM - Why mount anything when you can get an exact measurement, several pictures and have plastic/fiberglass replicas made that will outlast all of us!!!

To all my Crappie.com Brothers & Sisters, Please, Please, Please, Share this article, Tweet it, email it. We all need to get other fishermen thinking.

Nice read thanks

Very good article. Thanks for your insight into our sport and the courage to share your thoughts. There have been several discussions in the Louisiana Forum about size limits and creel limits. The discussions usually end up in arguments between the two factions. I, personally, like your ideas. I have never caught a limit of crappie (50) in most lakes. Doubt that I ever will. But I do listen and I hear others, not very many, but a few, brag about the 48qt coolers they fill each year. Maybe everyone that visits this sight will read your article. I hope so. And I hope it will change their minds about the way they treat a resource that God has blessed us with and left us in charge of overseeing.

i have been practicing catch and release for years..in all of my crappie videos i have made, my slogan is see the roe let it go..i keep enough to eat, but the rest is let go. it is a good idea in those lakes and waterways where there is lots of fishing pressure...

Not all waters need length limits or released fish to spawn. My home lake usually has too many Crappie which slows growth .