Electronics getting too good ?

[TreednNC]

I’ve started keeping less fish with live scope. No need to keep a limit when you know you can zero in on them relatively easy and likely at least have enough to eat fresh every so often if you get to go much. I know I can catch fish pretty much every time I go, maybe not load the boat, but the knowing I can likely catch a mess has changed my thoughts of keeping everything just because “might not get em next time!”

[Central Minn]

Minnesota also has some crazy low Crappie possession rule, doubt that gets follow much!

My close friend that I graduated high school with is a retired game warden now. He always said the residents followed game limits "better"then none residents. And yes we have low limits compared to warmer climates fish only grow 6-7 months per year here....7-8 years for a 8" sunfish...4-5 for a 12 inch crappie.
Fishing pressure is tremendous pretty much year round now days with modern electronics, boats, and wheel houses and sleeper houses.
There's been talk of lowering limits more in the near future.

[catchNgrease]

Fish with drones. LOL
On another note, I believe some guys are starting to pull off their spider rigging equipment because they can zero in on fish with one pole and livescope now. It's just not needed any longer.

I have been known to search for baitfish with my drone. I don't own LS and don't want it. I fish with a few guys that do and can appreciate it.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[MNCrappieHunter]

There's been talk of lowering limits more in the near future.

And really - how many fish do you need in your freezer anyway...start running low - go get some more.

[Erin Brewer]

I keep hearing guys say it’s like playing a video game.... if you want to play a video game go home and do it! The guys around here are absolutely killing our lakes! My grandfather was a commercial fisherman I have spent many many days out on Grenada lake and I can tell you it isn’t the lake it once was! There are three factors that I believe have done it tournaments, guides and livescope.... they are doing our lakes like they did the Buffalo on the plains way back when.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

[Cane Pole]

Thought about getting one, but changed my mind. It would be just another device for dirt daubers to congregate.

[Grainraiser]

The guys I know who are really good with live scope do not keep fish like they use too. They don't keep fish on every trip but they keep enough to feed the family. They throw back way more fish than the keep. Most people can't afford a boat let lone live scope. Part of our fishing license fees go to fishing biologist who know a heck of a lot more fish management than I do. They will make adjustments to limits as is needed. Most of the guides here have voluntary went with a 20 fish limit instead of the current legal limit of 25. I'm in Texas so you don't see anyone spider rigging or longlining. Everything is single pole jigging or shooting docks. I'm saving my pennies for a livescope unit because I want to be more efficient at crappie fishing. I live within a few hours of the best crappie fishing lakes in the nation and not spending hours looking for fish on a new lake makes it worth it to me.

[Eagle 1]

I will add this to the mix . After retiring I wanted to fish Magnolia crappie club . Great guys and fishermen . The bottom line is "if " you intend to compete live scope is a must . I do not think contrary to belief that tournament fishing is an issue . I see the drop of sales in fishing license every year and wonder how the lakes are not over populated . I rarely ever saw guys pre fishing keep fish . I recently bought a new boat with a 9 inch live scope but have yet to try it . I will say that my quota of crappie for a year has diminished to 100 due to the fact my family prefers red ear / bluegill over crappie . I put up twice as many bream to crappie and about 100 catfish from Tennessee river . Some say live scope will be the death of crappie fishing . Go with someone who has experience with live scope and you will see just how many crappie out there where you never get a bite . I see some that think it is unfair to those that do not have it . Bottom line is we have grown up with technology and fail to mention all the perks we enjoy over my grandad . 14 ft. Jon boat 7.5 hp. Johnson, bucket of minnows , handful of jigs and a Coleman lantern (mostly fished at night due to farming when not at day job) . Do not judge everyone that has live scope to slaughter crappie . News papers and other media drive sales so yes the elite will be out front to all to see . Is live scope a great tool ? maybe , but the reality is that those that you think are smoking the fish were doing it way before live scope . Knowing lakes and hours on water has no replacement . Like anything, those that spend the most time on the water with maps, side view, ect can catch just as man if good at what they do . Difference is targeting large fish not eaters . Every time a new unit comes out some fear that they might not be able to keep up with the Jones . Stay within the rules and fish on ! life is short .

[Ketchn]

Fair is like beauty my friends, in the eye of the beholder no doubt about it.
Someone told me just today it ain’t fair to fish in a private lake.
My first thought was just this , you wouldn’t say that if you were invited to the private party
Same goes for high end technology, only folks that don’t own it say it ain’t fair
Will it cause regularly controls to tighten ? Might if they can actually prove it reduces populations is my thought .
Just like fast cars and the speed limit, some that have them will drive them too fast and some won’t.
If you want to have all the whistles and bells and can afford it , why not , some people can easily afford the stuff and just don’t want it .
I could spend the money on things like mentioned if it was how I wanted to ketch fish , but it is just another complicated thing to deal with down the road at some point that will cause me to deviate from my original agenda .
I enjoy the ketchn of fish in the least complicated manner that’s available, size of the fish is irrelevant to me and numbers as well.
And who got more or bigger fish really don’t interest me either.
My 2 cents on the subject .

[Micanopy]

I am saving up for an expensive trolling motor. Death Scope ain’t in my budget.

Tournaments will never be the same that’s for sure.


Years ago the longbow archery hunters complained about the new compound bows as having an unfair advantage. Gonna take way too many deer. Then the compound bow hunters complained about the crossbow hunters having an unfair advantage. Now days they sell really really fast crossbows that extend the effective range of an arrow in flight. Longer shots than anything a longbow hunter could dream of taking. More efficient killing machine.