BIG and I MEAN BIG CRAPPIE!!!!

[JimmyS]

That is a prize fish! Judging by the smile on the ladys face She is real proud of it and she sure has a right to! Nice catch! Jimmy S.

[Billbob]

what a fish i wish it was me

[CrappiePappy]

I have "heard" that the fish shows signs of being a hybrid. The dorsal spine count says Black Crappie, shape & measurements say Black Crappie ... but the coloration markings show signs of V shaped patterns, along with the "specks" that identify it as a Black Crappie. IF it is a hybrid ... the IGFA will not recognize it, as they only recognize true species. There is, supposedly, genetic testing being done on the fish, to determine if it has any White Crappie genes.
Here's a link to the photo showing the fish (where you can see what appears to be "vertical bands" of markings on the lower half of the fish - indicating it may have some White Crappie genetics) - http://www.fishin.com/photos/StateRe...ordCrappie.jpg

That's not the only thing going on with this fish !! It was reportedly caught on a "Crystal Shad Rooster Tail Spinner" (newspaper report) ... but the KDFWR says it was caught on a Roadrunner with a "shad body" (bubble belly grub ??).

I applaud this lady for her confirmed State Record fish ! But, I do hope the "controversies" surrounding this catch, do not mar it's potential. Hopefully this fish will pass the scrutiny tests, and become the new IGFA World Record Black Crappie. And I sincerely hope that, if the lady has any intentions of making any monetary gains from the lure company (or Zebco, or the rod or line company), that the equipment and lure used - is properly identified. I find no mention of a "Crystal Shad" in either of the two lures reported (Wordens Roostertail - Blakemore Roadrunner). There is, however, a "Crystal Shad" in the Bass Assassin grub bodies. Potentially, the Roadrunner could have had a Bass Assassin body on it ... and the newspaper report was erroneous. Or the Albino Shad or Silver Shad "Bubble Belly" grub was used, and the "crystal shad" identification was incorrect. And if a Roostertail was the actual lure - maybe it was incorrectly identified, as to color.
No mention of line size or brand has been mentioned ......... but, keep the ink ready & the presses hot -- I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this. ...... cp

[rusty]

wow-I agree that would be a great catch-I wonder can soneone tell me if in the state of Missouri if fileting the fish out on lake in boat is legal-I usually do and then throw the remailns in the lake thinking the cat fish would eat -any one know-

[Stingrayg4]

Hey I wouldn't care if it was a white crappie, a black crappie or a pink & purple crappie, that's still a fantastic catch!

-s

[CrappiePappy]

Here's the rules/regs of Missouri - http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/...gs/fishsum.pdf

I didn't see anything mentioned about cleaning fish "on the water" .... but, I'd check with the DNR, just to be sure. In Ky, the law states - "anglers shall not remove any part of the head or tail of any fish for which there is a size or creel limit until finished fishing and off the water".

I'd almost bet that it is illegal to clean sportfish while still actively fishing for them. The DNR Officers would not know if you were cleaning them to use for bait, take home on ice, or what particular size or species you had ... if all you could show them were filets. ............ cp

[Bruce Carp]

Congrats and thanks for the update!

[stray]

wow-I agree that would be a great catch-I wonder can soneone tell me if in the state of Missouri if fileting the fish out on lake in boat is legal-I usually do and then throw the remailns in the lake thinking the cat fish would eat -any one know-

I’ve found in Missouri you really need to watch the fishing and hunting summaries. According to the wildlife code 3 CRS 10-6.405, section 3, and subsection C:

Regardless of where taken, no fish less than the specified minimum length limit shall be possessed on the waters or bank thereof to which length limit apply. The head, tail and skin must remain attached to all fish for which the length limits are established while those fish are on the waters to which length limits apply or until the fish have been checked by an agent of the department

So if you are fishing in an area where there is a length limit you can’t remove head, tail or skin.

Good fishing,
Kevin