My first official state citation fish

[moparmaniac59]

I got spring fever & decided to ditch work and go fresh water fishing yesterday. The weather called for mid to upper 80's. It was a little brezzy which is OK for land based activities, but often puts a damper on fresh water fishing as they tend not to bite as much when it is windy. On my first cast, I set my rod down to close my tackle box and glanced up in time to see my rod tip take a sharp bend. I landed this state citation Crappie on a medium minnow and he weighed in at an even 2lbs and was 16" inches long. I caught other crappie, but none this big. In Virginia a state citation crappie has to be 2lbs OR 15 inches, so this one met the mark in both categories. He went into the fillet bag, but not before I had him measured, weighed, witnessed & certified!! They are fantastic eating! A BAD day of fishing is always better than a great day at work. ALWAYS!!!  Almost as much fun as driving the Challenger!

                                                                           Matt B.

[4Cruizn]

WOW that is a nice catch!  Very cool!  Can't wait until the weather gets close to that so I can just venture outside!   Suppose to rain for the next week pretty much here in Michigan.  Today high is only 47* with clouds . . . 

[CudamanTom]

Nice catch Matt! 
And the water doesn't look too bad considering the winds.

[Oldschool]

That's a nice one...       

[moparmaniac59]

We managed to find a few nice coves where the wind wasn't blowing so bad. Today it's even windier as a cold front comes in. I am looking foward to some more catches as the weather gets warmer! Think I'll grill tonight! 


                                                                            Matt B.

[dodj]

 
What's a state citation fish?
Is it something like "Come to Missouri, Home of the smallmouth bass" or something?

Oh ya, Nice fish!

[moparmaniac59]

A state citation is an award ( a paper wall hanger) from the Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries that recognizes an angler for catching a "Trophy size" fish. The state has set standards for what is a "trophy size" for each species of fish for both salt water and fresh water. For instance, large mouth bass, it's 8 lbs. Catching one is usually quite an accomplishment. I don't have a boat, but have enjoyed fishing all my life and in that time I've managed to hook 3 state citation fish. I have friends that are a little more avid fisherman, have boats and have caught over a dozen citation fish. When I told a friend I got a state citation fish, they thought I had gotten a ticket (like a speeding ticket). So I realized not everyone fishes & knows these things.   


                                                                              Matt B.

[dodj]

A state citation is an award ( a paper wall hanger) from the Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries that recognizes an angler for catching a "Trophy size" fish. The state has set standards for what is a "trophy size" for each species of fish for both salt water and fresh water. For instance, large mouth bass, it's 8 lbs. Catching one is usually quite an accomplishment. I don't have a boat, but have enjoyed fishing all my life and in that time I've managed to hook 3 state citation fish. I have friends that are a little more avid fisherman, have boats and have caught over a dozen citation fish. When I told a friend I got a state citation fish, they thought I had gotten a ticket (like a speeding ticket). So I realized not everyone fishes & knows these things.   


                                                                              Matt B.

Cool!
Congratulations are in order! 

Being Canadian, I had never heard of the term "State Citation" fish. Thanks for the explanation.

[hooD]

They are fantastic eating!

                                                                           Matt B

   and say amen to that!  My father-in-law catches crappie and bass from the Cumberland river in TN.  They are excellent eating in my opinion.  congratulations too!!!