New Member influx!

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Comment by Steve Totten on February 23, 2013 at 11:12am

I found this site from the "brim, bream, and bluegill" sub forum on Crappie.com.  Big Bluegills are my favorite fish so here I am.

Comment by Jim Gronaw on February 19, 2013 at 8:40pm

Likewise to Jason...I mention the site often in columns and articles. It might just also be that the bluegill is getting some well deserved recognition as not just a fun panfish, but a worthy species for the trophy seeker. The IN Fisherman Panfish Guide is due out in March, so we might see a spike in membership this spring. Also, the economic climate may well steer folks back to basics on the panfishing front.

My hopes are that more and more anglers, nationwide, would consider releasing big panfish just like they do other species. Generations of catch-and -keep mentality has damaged many fisheries. Panfishermen are much more sophisticated and knowledgable with better equipment and techniques than ever, so overharvest is of greater concern these days. I gave a talk to a group of about 250 crappie fishermen last week on the dangers of overharvest, especially the 'top-end' larger fish in the system. Although I know the majority of that crowd did not like what I said, not one angler disputed my concepts on releasing the big boys, and girls. They kind of just stared in amazement at what I was saying...probably because they never had heard such a thing as releasing a 15 inch crappie or a 11 inch bluegill.

Catch and release of big, even trophy panfish specimens, is indeed a final frontier.

Comment by Jason Preslar on February 17, 2013 at 3:39pm

Bruce, I tend to mention this site while I'm posting on other forums pretty often. I'm not saying that's what's causing the influx, but if other members are doing this it will bring more folks!!!