Thread: 4 extra day of High Rock Madness 4-14 - 4-17

Originally Posted by Tarheelfshn

I don’t know if my opinion is the majority but I think since the limits were relaxed on High Rock the quality of crappie has improved so much. For a couple of years I couldn’t find one that was 8 inches. It might catch up with the population and go the other way but for now I think they have gotten this one right. Great catches and great report. Also now I’m hungry at work looking at those slab fillets.

There have been some good shad years the last few years. The threadfins have recovered from the colder winters. I've felt for years that most people keep as many crappie as they catch anyways. I've seen plenty of full 5 gallon buckets leaving the lake. It might have made a little difference but, to me, the decree in pressure on the fish when HR had a couple of bad years and the recovery of the smaller threadfin population is what really made the difference. I know those making the rules will take credit for them. I just wonder what will happen when it goes the other way? Just my penny.

Originally Posted by Tarheelfshn

You are probably right. I’m only there a couple of times a year and only see a snapshot of the big picture. I don’t want to open up a debate and hijack this awesome post. I’m just thrilled that some local lakes are on an upswing. I fish a lot from kayak and it seems like none of the smaller reservoirs care about crappie populations at all and some of them are overpopulated. I don’t think wide open regulations are the answer and I also think the people that keep everything still will and responsible anglers are going to keep only what they need and protect the resource. I guess I didn’t consider the forage base but when I caught thousands of 7 inch crappie with dime sized eyes my mind jumps to overpopulation but the overpopulation could be in response to natural cycles and not driven solely numbers harvested. Thanks for the food for thought Sundance and thanks again Pete for the great report I can’t wait to get on the water this week. Again I am just happy that people are posting good reports this year.


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Hopefully, I’m not propagating the debate. For what it’s worth, I have been thinking the same as you Tarheelfshn. I understand Sundance’s point and that may be correct. I too am just happy that the sizes have bumped up, no matter the cause.

Tight lines to all.


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