Perch issue

[gb1234]

After cleaning today's catch, I have to agree that 8" is too small. We even kept some 7's that were injured beyond repair but they took too much cleaning effort for barely any meat. We had a few over 10" and what a difference - easier to clean and much more yield. I wouldn't tell my 9-year-old that her 8 inch-er doesn't count, but I think my own personal limit will be 9" now.

[Billy Boy]

I clean my own as well. I didn’t limit once last year. I usually start with a 8” minimum. As I continue to catch I increase my minimum size. I’m happy with 10 fish over 9”. Usually end up with 15-20 total fish on a decent day. Usually end up with a couple shorts that swallow, and will die anyway. Spreaders never seem to work for me. I guess I’m just used to crappie rigs. My buddy pretty much only uses spreaders, and when we go out together we catch about the same amount. Occasionally one will do noticeably better, and the other will change over.