Wonder why they never have the Crappiethon anymore at Pymy ? The top fish was a 35K payout for anyone in the contest with lots of other winners also released. It was sponsored by a lot of the local bait shops and fishing gear companies. It was a regular event for years in the late 80's and seemed to be a big draw for our area. I think it was only a few bucks to sign up back then at any local bait shop. Made fishing at Pymy a little more interesting to all!
 
In 1987 a guy caught the 35K fish and was in the contest but didn't see the tag, gave the fish to a neighbor he spotted the tag but it was too late.......35K fish dinner !....LOL

I believe it was 1991 when my wife (then girlfriend) entered. It was a very fun event. We mailed our registration via US Mail in February. They gave a seminar on Friday night before the event and had a ton of raffle prizes as part of the reverse raffle, my wife was runner up for the grand prize (25 hp Mercury Outboard). We paid $35 to enter the contest. On Saturday we fished the south end and caught 0 crappie but pounded the smallmouth bass. We had a blast. At one point there was talk of the contest coming to Shenandoah but I don’t think it did. I do believe it was at Mosquito at some point. My cousin and his partner fished the contest every year it was at Pymie and placed in the top 10 a few times. I read articles in outdoor magazines that the Crappiethon was a major cause of decreased crappie fisheries in lakes where it was held. I liked the contest, it was fun and it was highly anticipated by local fishermen. It was nice thinking back about it. Gary

its all in the past captn time to move on

Nothing like memories of good times and tight lines, 35K in the 80/90s would be quite the purse.  Hell for this part of the country, I'm thinkin' a 12" Speck would have been a headliner, and money in the bank, back in them days.

Tangle free tom!

https://www.dailystandard...visitors-to-grand-lake

Hope there weren't nobody fishin' Pymie when that storm came through 😱.

Good article Crappie.........Just wondering why local bait shops and businesses don't encourage more fishing with old events like that. Had to bring in a lot of extra business over the season just like the article said. If I owned a bait shop or local business I'd sponsor a lunker contest every year in different categories and post the leaders names and photos. Pros might catch more fish but they don't catch the biggest ones every year! 
 
 
 

I’d love for there to be something like that in the area unfortunately the blue army would probably win since they fish pyme daily. The people that work 60+ hours a week like myself would have a huge disadvantage against the guys who fish 40+ hours a week but it definitely would be fun trying to find a 35,000 dollar fish

Captain, that would be just grand to hit the $35k fish. (Even after taxes, I'd be outta debt and retired)! Even a prize like the 25hp Merc would be awesome. Makes me wonder if anyone anywhere ever hit that Cabelas' tagged $1,000,000 fish. I sure don't remember readin' about it anywhere.