Pounded the Crappies!

[james_walleye]

We really got into the Pepin crappies today. 3 of us kept 15 but we threw back more than that. We really didnt catch a small sone. Some upwards of 13", most in that 11-12" range. Also about 15 sunnies, 20 channel cats, 10 sheepies, 10 smallies, and a 16" eye. 2-5' of water. Pink jighead, 2" piece of crawler.

[tberrict]

I'm sure you won't tell much....but where abouts where you? i was out and couldn't get even one crappie to bite from morning until 2. Got 6 smallies and a couple cats though on the WI side.

[james_walleye]

Its day too day where they are. All i can say is hit the MN side south of Lake City and cover some ground. You'll run into pods of them. Quite often you can fish for a couple hours with no crappies and then find about a 30 yard stretch where they are pretty thick.

[Blackduck]

Did you try eating any of those Craps yet?? Are they a little "mushy"? Ever since I was a kid we never keep a crap past July, dad says they get mushy and don't taste right. Just wondering what everyone thinks since I have never actually kept a crappie this time of year.

[james_walleye]

Well my brother and law and my sisters boyfriend kept the crappies. I kinda wondered the same thing, i havent talked too them too see how they were. Im waiting too keep some walleyes and perch this weekend when i go too Winnie.

[juggs]

Hmm, I eat crappies year round and have NEVER experienced mushy filets. My guess is it's in the handling. My fish go into the cooler on ice for the trip home, then directly into the fridge or frying pan. I know some people keep them on a stringer or in a bucket where they will surely die before long in the summer. Do you guys who don't eat them not subject them to refrigeration?

[james_walleye]

Well the word on the crappies was that they were very good. They went from the livewell, cleaned in the facility at Lake City, too the ice in the cooler, too the frying pan.

[troutman]

Here's my 2 cents.I believe that Crappie taste and texture vary from lake to lake to river and time of year you are catching them.I have eaten many Crappies from the Mississippi river and it's backwaters and consider them to be the finest eating Crappies I've ever had...never had a mushy one from the river system although,I've only kept them in cool or cold water periods.On the other hand,I've caught many Crappies from south central Minnesota lakes while ice-fishing and found them to be a little mushy and kind of lakey tasting...for lack of a better description.I think their environment is a huge factor in the taste and texture.

[Blackduck]

Thanks much guys, I guess I'm just gonna have to keep a couple and give em a shot!