I normally don't start to keep fish unless I know it is going to be a great day. As in if I catch one it goes back. If I catch another immediately following I may put it in the livewell. Then if I don't catch any in the next 10-20 minutes that one goes back. If I keep catching they keep going in the livewell. Until the limit is reached of course.

It depends on the condition of the fish. If it looks like it will survive I will turn it back. If not I will clean to keep from wasting it.

I would think the answer to this question depends on whom you are asking and when.

My magic number is 5,if I catch less they all go back or to another fishermen

If I catch one or two crappies I offer to them to another fisherman Or release them back to the lake. If they or dead or going to die (gut hooked) I will clean him and fry him up for lunch or dinner.

Reggie

5 or better for me as long as the wife doesn't know about it! lol she's old school country feed the family type, took months to explain to here about size, and number limits since all she knew was ponds and creeks on her families land.

It isn't to me, I would, and have, let it go... Welcome to TFF!

Yesir. Got one in the ice downstairs right now with a nice sand bass. I'll clean them later and it will make a nice lunch for the wife and I.

Not worth it to me. 5 is minimum unless one was hurt beyond survival.

3 or more, unless they are in bad shape, don't waste fish

6 is usually my minimum, but if I counted how many trips of catching 1 to 3 keepers and giving them away because I just "couldn't see reasoning in cleaning just three fish, then I'd probably have a freezer full by now. Clean'em all, eventually you'll have a "mess"!!