How big is a slab crappie?

A "slab" crappie has different connotations in various parts of the country. Anglers in some regions classify a 13-incher as a slab, while others use the term for fish surpassing 15 inches.

What is considered a big crappie?

While most anglers would consider any fish over 12 inches to be a slab, crappie can grow much bigger, especially in the south. Here is the list for the largest crappie caught in every state in America. Ben Curry Sr. 3.68 lbs.

Is a 12 inch crappie big?

Now I tend to keep them between 10'' and 12". In PA, a 12 inch crappie is usually about 8 years old but a 14+" fish is nearly 20 years old. A 10-12 inch fish makes a good fillet but it takes far less time to replace that fish. I now release those bigger breeding fish and keep the smaller ones (under 13").

What is the average size of a crappie?

Crappies are typically about 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long. The current all-tackle fishing world record for a black crappie is 2.47 kg (5 lb 7 oz). The maximum length reported for a black crappie is 19.3 inches (49 cm) and the maximum published weight is just under 6 pounds (2,700 g).

Is a 13 inch crappie big?

Crappie with a length of 13-15 inches and a weight of 1.5 to 2lb are generally considered trophy fish.

Huge SLAB Crappie On Every Cast!

How old is a 14 inch crappie?

At fourteen inches, the typical black crappie weighs 1.7 pounds and will be 14.3 years old. A 14-inch white crappie will be 1.4 pounds and 9.1 years old.

What state has the biggest crappie?

This California slab is the most recently caught record crappie on our list. Dave Burruss, the owner of Clear Lake Outdoors in Lakeport, California, was fishing on Feb. 17, 2021.

What's the largest crappie ever caught?

The black crappie would weigh an astonishing 5 lbs 7.68 oz, making it not only the new Tennessee state record (previously held since 1985) but the world record.

What crappie gets bigger white or black?

One way to tell the difference between white and black crappies is by their size & body shape. Black Crappie tend to grow larger than white crappie overall. They are usually thicker and more dense than White Crappie.

What is the best bait for crappie?

Minnows, worms, insects—just about anything can catch a crappie's attention. You don't have to worry about the color of the bait, and you're only throwing them what they would be eating anyway. Minnows are hands-down the favorite used by most, and some even tip a jig with a live minnow for a double-whammy.

How fast do crappie reproduce?

Typically, crappie are cyclic spawners and do not necessarily spawn each year. There could be no spawning or light spawning and then a heavy spawn every three to four years. Spawning success is difficult to predict. This is unlike largemouth bass, which usually spawn well each year.

Where was the largest crappie caught?

Angler Jam Ferguson caught an absolute giant of a crappie in a pond in Paint Rock, Tennessee, that weighed in at a whopping 5.46 pounds. For those of you who aren't familiar with crappie fishing or fishing in general, this is groundbreaking.

Where is the crappie Capital of the World?

Chief among them is Alabama's Weiss Lake, which is known by many as the “Crappie Capital of the World.” Although Weiss has experienced a couple down years in productivity, it's still kicking out 2 and 3 pound fish to anglers longlining crankbaits or live bait along channel bends and points.

What lake has the most crappie?

Top here is Grenada Lake, a shallow, 36,000-acre Corps of Engineers impoundment 82 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee on I-55. It produces more trophy crappie than any other fishery in the country. Big fish are so common the local tourism board has nicknamed the lake “Home of the 3-Pound Crappie.”

What is the number one crappie lake in the United States?

1 Grenada Lake, Mississippi. You cannot make a list about big crappie lakes without including the undisputed No. 1, Grenada Lake, Mississippi. Grenada Lake is a 35,000-acre reservoir built in the 1950s to help control flooding in the Yazoo Basin.

How many years do crappie live?

This species is known to live at least 15 years. During the first four years of life, young black crappies grow quickly in the warm waters of the southern US while growth is slower in cooler northern U.S. waters. Black crappies reach maturity at 2-4 years of age.

How many crappie can you harvest per acre?

Stock 15 adult black crappie per acre in either an established pond with balanced numbers of bass and bluegill or in one that is bass-crowded. Catch and remove all bass longer than 15 inches. Never harvest smaller bass. These smaller bass will control the crappie population and allow the remaining fish to grow faster.

What is the best month for crappie fishing?

The best time of year to catch crappie is during the spawning season which takes place from February-May. During the spawn, both male and female crappie move from deep locations into shallow and concentrated spawning areas. This makes them very easy to target, as they are actively feeding and defending their nests.

How deep are crappie right now?

You're likely to find the crappie hanging out in waters 6 to 12 feet deep and remember, finding structure is not as important as finding food for the crappie.