When I’m fishing for Crappies I tend to catch a lot of little ones. Do they hang out with the big fish or am I in the wrong spot?

A good size crappie ranges between eight and fourteen inches. I take it that the ones you usually catch are a bit less than that?

I do not see why the big ones would not mingle with the smaller ones. The sizes of the ones you actually catch should even out over the course of the day or the number of days your fishing trip lasts.

Another consideration is if is close to spawning time. You should see a big increase in your catch in the spring when the water starts to warm and the bugs begin to hatch.

A lot of your problem might be not where you are fishing but when you are fishing. Research or talking to some really experiences crappie fishermen will tell you that crappie populations are on about a seven or eight rear cycle. So if you come back to your favorite honet hole a few years from now you might be taking home the big ones!  Or maybe your technique is improving!

The size of the fish you are catching might be due to where you are fishing. Some regions of the country produce whoppers and others just do not.

Check with your state or regional wildlife authorities about the local average crappie size. In most states the authorities do yearly metrics on just this kind of thing. Either they will net the fish or (and I know this sounds crazy) shock the water for them. Actually, depending on how detailed their studies are, they might point you to a different body of water.

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