Thread: Embarrassing and Costly Lesson

Sorry to hear about your misfourtune. Lesson leaned I guess. Everyone told me they shrink, so I always make sure they're at least 1/4 inch over when I do keep any. PM me your mailing address and I'll send you a little (crappie.com) consolation prize so to speak. Might soften the sting of the ticket price. Might provide you a subtle reminder for next time too!

Simple fix. Go 1 inch over. I probably released 20 the other day that were just over 12 inches. But not worth it and besides I don't need the fish. I have plenty.

I don't believe with a "grace" program. Problem with grace fish thing is that people lie. I know that's hard to believe! Just follow the rules and use good judgement. Not bashing. Mistakes happen. Price to be paid, literally and figuratively.

At least you owned up to it and moving forward. Lesson learned for sure.

Sorry about your honest mistake. Alot of folks wouldn't admit it. I used to use those drop-in EZ Checkers as they call them back years ago when the MLL at Enid was 10". If a fish is fat and healthy shoulders with the MLL's we have these days, he won't go all the way to the bottom. If you ain't checking close, he'll be short. As previously mentioned by a previous post, they are 1/8" thick plastic, and that'll getcha! I use the Golden Rule w/ 1/4" buffer!

Thanks for your post and info!

Good information,Except for the ticket and that's a bummer when your trying to do the right thing,I use the drop in method but will get the golden rule just to be safe.But it don't seem fair but its the law.Try throwing your self at the mercy of the court.After all anyone can make a honest mistake.Hope the judge is a crappie.com member !!!!!

Originally Posted by armyman

Sorry about your honest mistake. Alot of folks wouldn't admit it. I used to use those drop-in EZ Checkers as they call them back years ago when the MLL at Enid was 10". If a fish is fat and healthy shoulders with the MLL's we have these days, he won't go all the way to the bottom. If you ain't checking close, he'll be short. As previously mentioned by a previous post, they are 1/8" thick plastic, and that'll getcha! I use the Golden Rule w/ 1/4" buffer!

Thanks for your post and info!

I noticed your spearhead pass I was in the 503rd MP company in Frankfort Germany from 1965 to 1966. We are having a get together in Door county Wis. this Aug.

I moved my mark to 12 3/8" last year. On two different days the first fish I caught was 12 3/8. Caught at daylight
and measured about 3:00 PM. Both fish remeasured at 12 1/8. Too close for comfort. I won't keep anything this
year that is not longer than 12 3/8. Also, while being checked by different wardens, I asked about the fish on ice shrinking.
3 told me they would not shrink. 1 told me they will shrink about 1/4" if they have been on ice a good while. The 1
that told me they would shrink gave me sound advise.

Thanks for sharing this with us. Thank you for a reminder that good intentions will not cause a fish to grow in the cooler. Sorry for you though. May the sting go away quick.

Man hate to hear that Cap, I do 12 1/2" and don't pinch the tails myself. My buddy was sick at first we were turning back 12 1/8 or 12 3/8" fish.. I convinced him our freezers are full so why chance it? He's really gonna freak out on my next rule, only 13" - 15" anything less or anything more goes back. I don't need the fish and would like someone else to catch some table fair or possibly a trophy fish one day cause we turned em lose.

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