Newbie from AZ

[Azrat1965]

I grew up in southern Ohio between Columbus and Cinci. Did most of my fishing at Deer Creek and Rocky Fork Lakes. Fishing was always pretty decent but never saw crappie like that back there. Only wished I would have been fishing for crappie out here for years!

I haven't tried Alamo but have always heard good reports, will have to try that next spring. Roosevelt and Bartlett have pretty decent crappie I have heard too. Here's hoping I get to experience some more 2lb+ crappie.

The catfish fishing sounds intresting. Have caught some 10lb cats back in Ohio, couldn't even imagine tangling with a 100 lb blue. Sure sounds like a fun time though, may have to mention that to the wife as she loves to fish too. Be a nice way to get out of the heat for a couple of days and do what we love.

[Barnacle Bill]

Welcome form Virginia. I got my start in life in Findlay, Ohio but left there 48 years ago.

[LBM]

Welcome aboard. Good pictures and nice looking fish.

On your second picture I do have a question as to how you handle or clean your crappie. It doesn't look like you filet them out. That fish head looks like you might be getting a good start on some catfish bait and don't forget the guts if in fact you want some catfish bait. I'm just interested in how folks from around the country do things differently if you don't filet your crappie.

[Azrat1965]

We did actually filet them, we just cut the heads off and gutted them at the lake, fileted them when we got home. It is an hour and half drive from San Carlos Lake to the house. Thanks again for the warm welcome from everyone!

[LOZcrappie]

Welcome, Azrat -- nice fish. You're certainly welcome to handle your fish however you want. If it were me, I'd just ice those suckers down real heavy and drive home with them whole before filleting them. It'll save you a step (heading/gutting) and help firm the meat up to make filleting easier once you get home.

Just my 2 cents and maybe it was too hot of an AZ day to do that. Again, good work on those nice crappie!

[skeetbum]

Saw a vid a while back of some guys catchin what had to be 2 1/2 lb crappie that were pre spawn. Looked like they were smugglin tennis balls in their belly. I think it was Lk. Powell but won't swear to it. Biggest averages I've ever seen, one right after the other. Good luck in your new scaled pursuits. Tight lines. Welcome from middle Tenessee.

[Azrat1965]

Yeah, doing the whole job of cleaning the fish at home sounds easier. Probably more of just a habit than anything, most of the time I gut my fish where I catch them. Guess I have a soft spot for the ugly buzzards flying around the lake.... lol.

[joejv4]

Welcome from Upstate NY.

With a start like that getting back into crappie fishing - no wonder you're hooked!
12" is a really nice crappie in these parts. 15" or 16" is a wall-hanger.

[skiptomylu]

From Toledo Bend Texas!

Had Cataract surgery yesterday on the first eye so am not on here as much as usual.

Enjoy your self.

Skip

[Fatman]

Welcome aboard from Vermont!!!!!! Nice Crappie!!!!!!!

Fatman