Definitely a trophy. If you get it mounted take it to a good taxidermist. Some can't skin out a crappie to save their lives (loose scales as they are very fragile) and over paint them. Find someone that has one mounted that looks good. You can freeze it in a wet towel in garbage bag until then.
Just helping you out as I'd be rich if I had a dime for everybody that brings me a ****ed up crappie and wants me to remount and repaint it. One was a former state record that was so bad there was nothing I could to to make it look better.
