Author Topic: measuring fish  (Read 2384 times)

Offline Andys Delight

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measuring fish
« on: June 30, 2010, 09:26:24 AM »
OK, after 2 days on the water this past weekend and a gazillion shorts from the bay, offshore, up the river and only a couple clear keepers, I did have one that had me scratch my head.  With its mouth closed, the fluke was clearly just under the 18" mark.  He kept opening his mouth while I was measuring and each time he did it put him just past the 18" line.  Being on the safe side I tossed him back reluctantly.  I've read that fish lengthen about 1/4" after being in the cooler for a while but haven't personally tested that theory out.  My question is, if I were being checked on that fish and I opened the mouth to measure it, would it have counted?  Only reason I care is because this fish was FAT!  It had an awful lot of meat on it for being right at 18" and man I really wanted it. 
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Offline IrishAyes

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Re: measuring fish
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2010, 09:57:48 AM »
Fish are measured with the mouth closed. You did the right thing in releasing it. It was a short fish if it didn't hit the 18" mark with the mouth closed.

I have heard it go both ways with the fish measurement after it has been in the cooler all day. Some say it gets a tad larger because the muscles release, some say they shrink a tad. I don't know which, if any, are true. I will keep a fluke only if it is an eighth of an inch over 18. Which I haven't had a lot of this year.  :P
« Last Edit: June 30, 2010, 09:58:27 AM by IrishAyes »
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Offline Luna Sea 5

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Re: measuring fish
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2010, 10:06:02 AM »
you can also squeeze the tail of the fish.

http://www.kentuckylake.com/fishing/fishfacts/measure.html
« Last Edit: June 30, 2010, 10:08:38 AM by Luna Sea 4 »
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Offline kezsr

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Re: measuring fish
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2010, 10:09:10 AM »
if in doubt,I toss them back,I have a very good eye for the size of the fish  cfzd ,people that fish with me will ask me to call the size before measuring,and I'm usually right on or close. Kez
of all liars among mankind the fisherman is most trustworthy.  William Sherwood Fox


Offline Luna Sea 5

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Fish out of Toms River NJ.
Call Nick for open boat, 973-417-5756, or on Channel 68.

Team Luna Sea 6

Offline Andys Delight

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Re: measuring fish
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2010, 12:07:06 PM »
Thanks guys, I always follow the "If I ain't sure, she goes back rule".  I just wasn't sure about the mouth being opened or closed.  Like I said, it was fat as hell for being just under 18.  It had more meat than the two keepers I had over 19.  Somebody is gonna be happy when they catch that one after it grows a little.
The cure for everything is salt water: sweat, tears, and the sea.

Offline Tacklebox Joe

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Re: measuring fish
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2010, 08:52:59 PM »
if in doubt,I toss them back

 whs

btw, i believe a fish shrinks after "cooler time"


 

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