Some of us Fort Worth anglers that have been fishing lake Benbrook have noticed dead crappie floating on the lake every time that we go out. This has been going on for about a month or so now and crappie are the only dead fish that we have seen on the lake. We aren't seeing great numbers of dead fish, but we are seeing one or two every time that we go out. Do any of you crappie experts have any ideas on what's happening or have you seen anything like this before?

Maybe they were gut-hooked and too small to keep???

I have seen cormorants kill crappie on Lewisville and only peck out the eyes if anything. I am assuming that they eat the smaller ones and manage to catch a larger one every once in a while, but can't swallow it. Just one more possibility.

The majority of the dead crappie I have seen have been in the 1 1/2 to 2 pound range. The really strange thing is that we are not seeing any bass, sandies, hybrids, carp, shad, etc, just big crappie. I came across one floating the other day that was still alive, so I scooped him up and threw him in the live well. It was about a 14 to 15 inch crappie, and when I dropped him on the deck he started flopping around quite a bit, so I figured what the hey, in the skillet you go.

Great observation!..However, I think this may be a common occurance with crappie this time of year..They are kinda wacky and I imagine one of several things have happened: They may have been hooked and lost, hit by a boat, a bird, another fish as they are easy prey right now,..or a number of other things..
Jerry and I were fishing a grass bed at Lake Eufala in a tournament a few weeks ago and when we got there, a huge crappie was laying on it's side against the bank..we assumed it was dead..left it alone..fished for about 5 minuste talking about what a shame that big dead crappie was..Then like nobody's business, it just took off..I was almost sick..

I see it on Lavon too..I never see more than one or two,..I wouldn't worry about it till you start seeing them all over the banks.


That's what I think..I could be wrong..



I am seeing the same thing everywhere I go.


------------------
Wylie Crappieman
and Thumper

BENCHMARK MORTGAGE
972-429-9776

Maybe they're dying of old age.

its the TWP with thier "legal" surveys using the famed "FISH SHOCKER!!!" who else doesnt like 700,000 volts through your little body.

Do you think that it is possible that some of them may have over exerted themselves during the spawn (making and protecting the nest) and died? Maybe somewhat similar to what happens to salmon after their exhausting spawning run?

I think spawning kills them. I see them on Lavon every trip this time of the year.

Jerry www.JerryHancockOutdoors.com www.AdvantagemarineUSA.com

Hello , I just joined the forum yesterday and this is my first time on. I'm new to the Crappie fishing , have mainly fished for cats so I'll be watching and getting pointers from y'all time to time. Me and my fishing buddy went last weekend on Sulphur River here in Texarkana and caught several on jigs. I cleaned 12 keepers and 4 were full of eggs. What is the normal time of spawning for Crappie ?
Thanks , nashflash

[This message has been edited by nashflash (edited 05-02-2003).]

i believe spawn is almost done isnt it guys?

I understand that some people treat there boat stalls with Aqua Weed Killers in the spring to keep Hydrilla, Moss, Lillypads, or other Aqua weeds under control. And for a short time the products are toxic to some fish... Yes, Crappie

They probably die of exhaustion. If we laid hundreds of eggs, we would probably be exhausted and be floating also.

This is an old thread but I thought I would add my two cents. I have seen these crapie on Benbrook too. I weighed one and it was a 2.5 black crappie. The only ones I have seen have been big. The spawn has to be the reason. They are worn out!

nashflash, welcome to the fourm where everybody's two cents is welcome. Having been born in naples and rasied around simms I may be one of the few who know where nash is.