measuring fish

[Andys Delight]

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. 

[IrishAyes]

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. 

[Luna Sea 5]

you can also squeeze the tail of the fish.

http://www.kentuckylake.com/fishing/fishfacts/measure.html

[kezsr]

if in doubt,I toss them back,I have a very good eye for the size of the fish  ,people that fish with me will ask me to call the size before measuring,and I'm usually right on or close. Kez

[Luna Sea 5]

http://myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Saltwater_Regulations_Measurement.htm

[Andys Delight]

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.

[Tacklebox Joe]

if in doubt,I toss them back

 

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