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this is my first post here on ida. ive been reading alot of the posts, and it amazes me what people think of as a “slab”. when i was younger, we could go out and catch plenty of crappies over 12 and 13 inches. the biggest one ive caught was a 17″ 2 lb, 9oz. that was 13 years ago on lake onalaska through the ice. recently ive noticed that the avg. size of fish has been going down. im wondering how people think that by keeping the little fish (8 and 9 inchers) that they ever expect to catch something decent?
im not naming names but a certian young ida member posts alot of pictures of “11” slabs. i don’t doubt that he catches some nice fish, but from alot of the pictures i see, those fish look pretty small. we still catch plenty of crappies over 13″ every year, but we have to walk alot farther than most people would ever think. i’m one of those guys that was brought up to be extremely tight lipped when it comes to fishing spots. the guys on this site share spots with others, and thats fine. but i just hope certian ida members never find where i fish. there i’m done rambleing. good fishing.
Many people remember the “good ol’ days” when, in fact, they weren’t that great or even worse than now.
By the way, I have caught crappie (plural, not singular) over 18″ so if it’s a “who’s bigger” contest I’m willing if you are. 
That by the way doesn’t make me special, just someone who used to fish Kirwin in Kansas during the heyday.
Lots of people like solitude and peace when they fish, you sound like this type of person. I myself am that way at times, I love going up to Ontario or somewhere and disappearing a few times a year – literally. I respect you for that. But at the same time the person on an island doesn’t learn new techniques, find new equipment or make new friends. For most there is a balance.
I’ve been where you are and seen my frustration grow with certain aspects of the Internet. At least on this site we ask people to register and be respectful.
I hope you choose a name and stick with it and become a part of the “IDA Family”. The people I’ve met from here like Wade, Luke, Mike, and Brian are generous and kind to a fault. I know I myself love to help other anglers do better and be more successful whether that’s advice on how to fish or where to go. That really is part of our mission here.
I doubt that hardly anyone here hasn’t posted under various aliases on some website at some time so I really don’t hold that against you as much as some others have said.
Whatever you decide, know that this site isn’t the cause of any of your problems. But it could be the source of new friends and knowledge.
