Re: Its crappie time...
 

call Kevin Bogan .

Re: Its crappie time...
 

fry one up and you'll be hoping every fish you catch is a crappie

Re: Its crappie time...
 

One of the few freshwater fish that I eat. Sautéed with lemon and butter. I use the smallest tube jig that I can cast or a bead head nymph . 2 or 4 pound test and you are in for a tussle. Fly rod even better .

Re: Its crappie time...
 

this year will be the first year i fish freshwater, so this is a newb question. can you eat crappie (or any freshwater fish) from any lake/pond? im from bergen county and there are a few lakes near me that looks like i should not eat anything i catch from it. indian lake for example in little ferry 5 minutes from my house...

Re: Its crappie time...
 

state has a website to help you know if it's safe or not at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/fisha...advisories.htm

this is a very good question, so i went ahead and made another thread so other people can see that link also

Re: Its crappie time...
 

and for the specific example of indian lake in little ferry, DEP says that that lake follows the general freshwater recommendations, and the general freshwater recommendations say:

GENERAL FRESHWATER ADVISORIES
Applies to all freshwater fish and waters NOT covered by consumption advisories:
General population—Eat no more than one meal per week
High-risk individuals—Eat not more than one meal per month

"High-risk individuals" = infants, children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and women of childbearing age

Re: Its crappie time...
 

thanks

Re: Its crappie time...
 

I caught and released 40 black crappie on a 1/32 oz jig and 2 lb test line yesterday evening. Some fought well and occasionally they jump. The 19 bluegills and a largemouth bass pulled harder.

Re: Its crappie time...
 

I tried today in lake surprise in union county. I did not catch ANYTHING in 3 hours nor did I see the 2 other anglers catch either. Can anyone post what they're using and how to retrieve it? Am I even trying in the right lake or should I go somewhere else?

Re: Its crappie time...
 

If you would like to catch a lot of small fish, use a 1/32 oz jig on 2 lb test fluorocarbon line. If the bottom is not covered with weeds or snags, let the lure hit bottom, then jig it in near the bottom. If there are weeds, jig the lure just above the weeds. Best fishing is after sundown or on cloudy days. After catching 60 fish Friday, I only caught 2 fish the next day. Sunny cold fronts are no good for ultralight jigging. Sometimes color is important. If you are not catching, change lures or colors.