what does everyone consider eaters for sunfish?

[fishface]

This is the first thread I've seen where people really seem to appreciate the need to let the big panfish go.

Wish you all could have done a little missionary work out on Pelican lake, (and a couple other lakes in the Wright cnty. area) a few years back. Very good to see this trend!

[Matt Breuer]

My thumb to pinky when extended is over 10", so that rule of thumb (no pun intended) doesn't work for a lot of people.

I like 7.5" to 9". Anything over 9" goes back is the rule for me.

[shizzy]

large ones go back down the hole regardless. Im kind of strange, but I base my final decision on girth. if I I put my hand around the fish and my thumb ant pointer finger touch, back down the hole they go. if there is a small gap, in the bucket they go. if there is a huge gap, back down the hole they go.

[fisherdog19]

8-9", I like to throw the bigger ones back.

[Beast26]

I actually look at the backbone of the fish sometimes when making the decision to keep or throw back. This really comes into play during the early summer some of the males are so skinny from spawning that it's not worth getting the knife dirty. I usually keep anthing between 7 and 8". Some lakes just have really skinny fish to begin with because of over population and stunted fish

[shizzy]

I actually look at the backbone of the fish sometimes when making the decision to keep or throw back. This really comes into play during the early summer some of the males are so skinny from spawning that it's not worth getting the knife dirty. I usually keep anthing between 7 and 8". Some lakes just have really skinny fish to begin with because of over population and stunted fish

exactly. thats why I go with girth instead of length.