Grapevine

[stormcloud]

Heard the Game & Fish just finished their winter survey on the COE lakes. Told to be the worst numbers they have ever gotten. Talk about some restrictions on poles and limits. Also mentioned a possible crappie season. Don't forget I said grapevine.

[BulldogBruce]

2014 for me was way down at Sardis and Enid so I believe that is what was going to happen. I have pointed out on here many times the meat fishing mindset of Crappie fisherman was going to hurt the numbers. Limit at Sardis needs to go back to 12. The limit needs to be like 10 with 20 per boat at the COE lakes. People come to those lakes to fish, not fill their freezer. Crappie fishing is becoming like Bass Fishing was at the first explosion of it. You have to start practicing Catch and Release and get the limits down to sustainable range. There are way more people Crappie fishing than ever before.

[KDAVID1]

What did they expect when they lowered the length limit.

[27458]

Only real answer is everyone stay away from Sardis and I'll do some hands on from March thru May. And provide a more thorough detailed analysis of the situation. Stay tuned!

[BigRiverMarine]

There are other problems as well, but I won't elaborate on them.

I bet most of the folks that "Fill the Freezer" have 3 year old fillets in their freezers. Most guys just want the pics and don't give a hoot about putting em back. They think it makes em look like great fishermen to show em off Over and Over again. JMHO

[27458]

Perhaps if fishing wasn't such a costly hobby more would be willing to toss a few back. Drive 75 miles, gas, cost boat, insurance, etc. etc. and it gets a little hard mentally to throw them back. Plus most don't have every day to fish to begin with and today might be good tomorrow skunked. I think this leads to most fishermen being selfish. Simple as that. Its an ego thing also. And I'm in that same category so I'm not calling the kettle black. Personally, IF I was retired and could fish all the time and near a lake, I might not keep but a few for dinner. I've always said its way cheaper to buy fish, steak or whatever than to fish for them. And I know you can't buy crappie.

[BigRiverMarine]

Perhaps if fishing wasn't such a costly hobby more would be willing to toss a few back. Drive 75 miles, gas, cost boat, insurance, etc. etc. and it gets a little hard mentally to throw them back. Plus most don't have every day to fish to begin with and today might be good tomorrow skunked. I think this leads to most fishermen being selfish. Simple as that. Its an ego thing also. And I'm in that same category so I'm not calling the kettle black. Personally, IF I was retired and could fish all the time and near a lake, I might not keep but a few for dinner. I've always said its way cheaper to buy fish, steak or whatever than to fish for them. And I know you can't buy crappie.

Lots of guys travel all over the country crappie fishing with their 60k truck pulling their 80k boat, and staying in 100.00+ a night motel rooms. I seriously doubt they need to "Fill the Freezer"!!!

The Real working guys can't go enough to do the damage to the fisheries that I was referring to. Like I've always said, "If you need em, Eat em", but lots of guys show off their fish all year long. They don't NEED em that bad.

[Mac Daddy]

I hope the game and fish do whatever they need to, to keep these lakes producing great fishing trips. I love to crappie fish anyway possible and love catching even more. However, my family doesn't let fish go to waste, last year I cooked just under 80lb's of fillets and yesterday I checked and I've got one 2lb package left that I caught last August. Thanks Mississippi Game and Fish for doing a great job managing crappie.

[BigRiverMarine]

I hope the game and fish do whatever they need to, to keep these lakes producing great fishing trips. I love to crappie fish anyway possible and love catching even more. However, my family doesn't let fish go to waste, last year I cooked just under 80lb's of fillets and yesterday I checked and I've got one 2lb package left that I caught last August. Thanks Mississippi Game and Fish for doing a great job managing crappie.

If you need em, eat em!!!!! You are the exception, NOT the rule, even tho most will state the same as you about how many they Need.

[Rees Guide]

Frankly I fish to eat fish, if I wanted to catch and release then I would bass fish, dont like to eat them. With that said I rotate fish in the freezer and just about empty it by the end of spring, keep most of mine during the summer months now.
I dont have a problem with the regs but it does sound like someone needs to sit in on a meeting in Jackson, will call Tuesday and find out when the next one is.