18 inchers?

[mavs]

I need some (Contact US Regarding This Word) member or a seasoned URL veteran to shed some light on a dispute I am having with a "friend". He claims he has and always catches 18 inch crappies on Red and I call BS!

I have fished the lake 12-15 times in the past six years and while the average size is truly impressive, I have neither seen nor heard of any 18 inchers. In fact, my experience says that 15 inch crappies are RARE! With 12-14 the average size.

Has anyone caught an honest 18inch fish? I am guessing my buddy also catches 30" walleyes fairly regularily also!

Thanks for helping settle my dispute!

[kelly-p]

I've seen many 16 inch crappies and 1 (one) 17 inch crappie the last 5 years. Many years ago I saw 2 over 18 in the spring out of the channels.

[Walleye Guy]

If you have trained your wife/girlfriend properly, eighteen inchers are common.......

[MJP]

Matt C.U.R.T.W. here, I have never seen an 18 inch crappie out of Red. I have seen quite a few around 16, with the largest being a soid 17, but that was about five years ago or so. I believe your friend is a true fisherman, thus stretching the truth a bit. I would someday like to see an 18 inch crappie though. As you said, the average size out of there is still pretty impressive! Take care.

Matt whatever

[Bobb-o]

I saw an 18" crappie up at Red once, but it happened to already be hanging on the wall over the bar at westwind.

[uffdapete]

There's one around that size in a Wells Fargo office in the Falls that I think came out of Rainy a few years ago. I'll check with the owner next time I see him to find out exactly how big it is.

Personal best is 16.5 caught in the late 90's.

[Pikester]

If it is true can you let me in on his spot?

[Craig_S]

I caught one close to 17.5" on Upper Red. That was about 1996, maybe 1997. There was absolutely nobody else on the lake. And I got stuck in a white out and slush at about 20 below. Kim Nelson was silly enough to return with me that day and try and retrieve my tow sled. We both almost died. The crappie stayed with my sled for over a week until it hit -50. Then I thawed and ate it I've never got a 17 since. I did buy a GPS though .

Craig

[Dry_Fly]

Think I would of had that one mounted just to remind myself of all the trouble I went through for it. Good part it became a happy ending to say the least. GPS is great for just such conditions you have mentioned. Most people are marking good fishing spots and forgeting to mark the access before entering these large lakes just in case this happens. Nice Fish 17 inches