Yeah if it looked like a black crappie but had only 6 dorsal spines it could be a hybrid. I'm beginning to think they are more common than we think.
As far as bass I'm skeptical too, especially when I've fished in states where they protect the spawners and the bass fishing is much better than Indiana. Same goes for bluegill fishing. Where there is a bag limit or there is little pressure the fishing for them is much higher quality and potential quantity.
