Striper measurement

[Dick Tracy]

I was told today that the proper way to measure a Striper is with the tail pinched and the mouth open? Never tried it with the mouth open.
Any opinions out there weather this is ok or not?

[fatboy]

Mouth closed, Pinch Tail

[capt. ed]

mouth closed but you can do what you want with the tail.

[Keeper Seeker]

Yes, I agree with fatboy. Mouth closed and pinch the tail closed. One thing that I would add is to lay your tape flat and then lay the fish flat on top of it. If you hold the tape on the fishes lips and run the tape down and around the top of the fish the curvature of the fish adds to the measured length. A fish that measures 28" down and around the top will measure under 28" laying flat on top of the tape.
Wouldn't want that 1/4" or 1/2" to end up costing you $$$. smile.gif

[ 02-21-2006, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: Keeper Seeker ]

[Capt. Scott]

Last year the rumor was floating around that the wardens were even putting enough pressure down on the fish to "make it grow" a teeny bit....

Don't know about this...doubt it was some sneaky way to catch anyone...but it could mean the mean business about getting the measurements right on and there's no "slop" allowed.

[Bubs]

I normally like to pinch her tail, and keep her mouth open. Doesn't matter to me anyway, since I am engaged and they all are throwbacks at this point anyway! Tail pinched, mouth closed for most accurate measure.

[phish4fun]

IF ITS THAT CLOSE IT GOES BACK.

[Capt Harv]

Mike.......The regulations read to measure them with mouth closed and tail pinched together in a linear fashion. It has always amazed me that they measure different species of fish in so many different ways. Tuna are measured by the curved body method, tip of nose to fork of tail. Fluke are measured with mouth closed but not pinching tail. Sharks are measured for tip of nose to fork of tail but in a linear fashion. Sea bass are measured from tip of nose to tail but not counting tail filaments. Would be nice if there was some consistency to the regulations. It is very confusing for anglers. See you down the marina.

[Capt. John]

One word of caution do not trust those cooler lids for measureing a fish they are off

[Capt Lew]

I have a 36 inch aluminum ruler attached to a 1? X 4? board with a stop at the zero. Just put the closed mouth up against the stop and pinch the tail for the longest measurement. This is how the CO?s do it. ;)

[FreezOrBurn]

Yeah, Tail pinched Mouth closed. I'd only keep them if it obviously legal if your pinch'in the tail to make it legal you should most likely throw it back.

[Keeper Seeker]

Then again, with the new regs, if you're pinching the tail to "see if" it's legal you have the best eater that you can take anymore. I'd recomend slitting it's throat and putting it on ice. ;) smile.gif

[ 02-24-2006, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: Keeper Seeker ]

[joe kane]

i have heard the proper way to measure is the run the tape along the body of the fish rather than the air space above the fish with the tape in contact with the fish. tail pinched and mouth closed.

this would add size to the air space method. i measured one at 45 inches 2 years back without a pinched tail. my guess measuring the body with the tail pinched would have added a few inches.

[stripedfever]

Capt. Lew is right on the money, or I'm sure one day you'll have a Fish CO.show you the proper way ! smile.gif It show's proper way in Saltwater reg's booklet or online,atleast it has to be 28 or bigger instead of the the slot nonsense and tweener stuff !! ;) smile.gif

[FishSticks]

Mouth closed and tail pinched. I use the golden rule for measurements. It actually is the the blue measuring stick. I would stay away from the cooler lids except to get a rough estimation of length.