Properly and safely measuring and weighing fish

[WallStreetAmigo]

As I get more into bass fishing I find myself worrying much more about carefully handling the fish to reduce (or hopefully eliminate) the chance that my negligence will kill the fish. On the flip side, my plan this year is to accurately and quickly measure and weigh the larger bass I catch for my fishing journal.

I understand how to measure length and girth, but what I want to know is how do I lay the fish down to measure and take pics without 1) it flopping around my boat like one of my kids the day after Halloween or 2) damaging its slime coat?

Also, is there a best way to weigh the fish with a handheld scale to minimize injury?

Thanks guys......I feel that if I learn to do this stuff right my kids can catch some lunkers down the road too!

WSA

[brushhog]

Great Question Amigo! I'm in the same boat, can't wait to hear some veteran answers...
When I was predominantly shore fishing it was tough to measure without ruining slime coat, I carried a rolled up plastic changing pad for a baby, don't laugh it was light and rolled up, dipped it in the water and laid the fish there while I measured quickly.

Often with bigger fish after tough landings I'd just snap a quick pict. and let them go for fear of hgarming them... looking orward to answers.

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by brushhog

Great Question Amigo! I'm in the same boat, can't wait to hear some veteran answers...
When I was predominantly shore fishing it was tough to measure without ruining slime coat, I carried a rolled up plastic changing pad for a baby, don't laugh it was light and rolled up, dipped it in the water and laid the fish there while I measured quickly.

Often with bigger fish after tough landings I'd just snap a quick pict. and let them go for fear of hgarming them... looking orward to answers.

That changing pad was a pretty slick idea you had there brushhog....Of course I could never have that type of thing with me cause the wife would have me changing one of our kids after every cast! (we have 5 kids, 2 still in diapers)........Nothing ruins a great fishing day faster than the smell of baby $hit....

[BigBassin144]

Well, for weighing the fish, I'd rely on the weight calculator on either this website, or the BPS website.

Here'es links to both, I'd add 'em to your favorites so they stay where you can find them:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...mid=OLFISHCALC

(the BPS outdoor library is having technical difficulties, but should be better soon.)

http://www.bassfishin.com/bassfishin...cement.php?f=6

There you go. Good luck.

BB

[Marty]

I have never measured the girth of a fish. My guideline is to weigh a bass if I think it goes 4+. Otherwise, a measurement is all I need. I use a steel tape measure and measure vertically while lipping the fish.

If I weigh the fish, whether from shore or boat, I never lay it down, it stays lip-gripped with my left hand. I used to sharpen the point of the scale hook and insert it into the side of the lower jaw, immediately next to the hard outer lip so it's supported without tearing tissue.

For the last year I've gripped it with the inexpensive lip gripper from Cabela's. It has a hole in one of the handles for the scale hook and I drilled a hole in the other handle too. Just subtract 4-5 oz. from the reading to allow for the grip's weight.

[BigBassin144]

Marty, I'd have to disagree with a couple things you do. First, measuring the fish while lipping it. That is not a good way to get an accurate measurement. Second, weighing the fish with the lip grip. Also not a good way to get an accurate reading. If you're not too conerned about being accurate, then these things are fine and probably make it easier for you. But if you want to get accurate measurements, lay the fish down and measure from the closed jaw to the tail. As for getting accurate weight, leave out the lip grip.

Just my opinion though.

BB

[mont_lunker_hunter]

I measure length with your common everyday measuring board, and girth with either a cloth tape or piece of fishing line, then lay the fishing line on the measuring board. You can usually use both hands to hold the fish steady while measuring length, but for girth you can tie a regular fishermans slip knot and leave the loop big enough to slide over the widest girth of the fish. That way you can lip the fish with one hand a draw the loop snug with the other. Once the loop is snug, clip the line just under the knot. This will release the loop while keeping the knot in place. Then you just measure from the knot the end you just cut.

[Marty]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Marty, I'd have to disagree with a couple things you do. First, measuring the fish while lipping it. That is not a good way to get an accurate measurement. Second, weighing the fish with the lip grip. Also not a good way to get an accurate reading. If you're not too conerned about being accurate, then these things are fine and probably make it easier for you. But if you want to get accurate measurements, lay the fish down and measure from the closed jaw to the tail. As for getting accurate weight, leave out the lip grip.

Just my opinion though.

BB

BB, I'll both agree and disagree with your disagreements.

I agree that vertically measuring a fish with a tape measure is not ultra accurate. However, for fish less than my definition of a big fish (4+), an approximate measurement is good enough for me. So I report that I caught a, say, 17". It just doesn't matter to me if it might've been 16 1/2 or 17 1/2. I've got it in the right size range. Both myself and any readers or listeners realize that my fish was probably in the 2.5–3# vicinity.

As to weighing with the lip grip, I don't see what's wrong there unless you know something that I don't. The grip weighs 4 oz. and I subtract that from the reading.

[BigBassin144]

Marty, if you know the exact weight of hte lip girp, them there is no problem, but in your post you said subtract 4-5oz. There is where you inaccuracy would come form. But i just realized all you'd have to do is weigh the lip grip separately to get the measurement. DOH!





BB

[Marty]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Marty, if you know the exact weight of hte lip girp, them there is no problem, but in your post you said subtract 4-5oz. There is where you inaccuracy would come form. But i just realized all you'd have to do is weigh the lip grip separately to get the measurement. DOH!

I could have clarified that a little more. The manufacturer's literature says it weighs 5 oz., but mine weighs 4 oz. on a certified scale.

[BigBassin144]

I am looking to get a lip grip, not only for bass but Musky as well (is we ever catch one that is). Anybody know of a good one? I was looking at the Berkely Lip Grip, may with the scale.

Marty, is the lip grip you use good? What brand, and where'd you get it?

Thanks,
BB

[bassnman30]

In the event that you lay the fish on a measuring board, get the board wet. It seems to prevent the slime from coming off the fish plus the "heat" of the board won't affect the fish as much as a dry board.

[Marty]

Marty, is the lip grip you use good? What brand, and where'd you get it?

It's the only grip I've ever owned (had it one year) and it works for me. I wouldn't want to be without it now. I've never seen it anywhere other than Cabela's.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...lder&noImage=0

The manufacturer has the unlikely name, "Norton Brass Rattler."

http://www.nortonbrassrattler.com/Product_Fish_Grip.htm