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Posts: 743
| OK...i'm around the "elistist" level when it come to catch and release (i dont even kill/eat walleyes!!!)...the trend of no more verticle holds has come into public view more than ever before..and i'd image people will contine to promote no more verticle holds (which i'm totally cool with). Well, we have got rid of all verticle holds in my boat now...and most captures are shook off without a picture or without any handling of the fish at all....BUT...
When you do want to measure a fish's length, and you dont want to do a verticle hold...what is the best way to measure them? (length) i have measured a few in the water..i find it a bit difficult to get an "exact" measurement on a fish in the water.
If a friend or I get our biggest...we'd want an accurate measurement...what is the best way to accurately measure a fish without verticle holds?
Last weekend i tried to measure fish on the gunnel (ruler sticker was on the gunnel). watered the gunnel and laid fish on there for measurement...FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT. VERY. i got sliced..fish was falling off the gunnel..blah blah...didnt find it user friendly...
so, if you do want a length measurement and want to stay away from verticle holds...what is the best way or really, anyway that has worked for you? any ideas?
my mind's got a mind of it's own.
takes me out party, when i'd rather be alone
takes me out to wander, when i'd rather be at home
my mind's got a mind of it's own.
tomcat....MEOW!
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Posts: 2378
| I use the Frabill Cradle for measuring/releasing my fish.
Unhook, take her out of the net, throw her in the cradle.
If I just want a rough measure, the cradle has a tape on it...if I need a good measure, I hoist her to the gunnel using the cradle and get the tape out. The cradle on the gunnel will give you more control and should be safer for the fish.
works for me |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | Interesting Dilema, perhaps the best way to measure a fish in the water would be to use a cradle but then again I personally don't like cradle's I find them just to clumsy and ackward.
How's Steve Doing?
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Posts: 294
Location: Suspended | Lay a sheet of plastic on the floor of the boat with the ruler on top, better yet attach the sheet to the back of the ruler that way you can easily dip it in the lake to get it wet. Then lay the fish down to measure without removing their slime, but keep the grip on its jaw so if it decides to thrash you can keep it from knocking itself silly. I believe I read about the use of plastic on this board in the past, so thanks to who-ever mentioned it.
The cradle in the water is probably the best way but tough for one guy to do on his own.
Edited by Webguy 6/9/2005 8:36 AM
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | A good friend of mine Jon Regal showed me how to do it.
Keep the fish in the net in the water.
Slide a floating white floating measure stick through the net web.
Works best with 2 people one on each end of the fish. |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | good topic tomcat....well where to start. whats worse a v hold or laying the fish on the carpet. i think laying them on the carpet does more harm. ive watched so many people lay fish and move fish around on carpet to measure them. with that said if i got someone good with me ill do a quick v measurment with the stick. pic and release. im a stickler for measuring good fish or fish over 35ish so i want to know what it was, i dont like guessing, small ones and shortys ok, most dont even hit the boat. but anything that is pushin high 30" into 40. i want to know, thats just me. since i fish alone alot or with kids and rookies who cant help real well i went to the best alternative there is, i went out and bought a dunwright bump board! they take up space but you can lay the fish on it without hurting its coating and get a good quick read! i love the people that tell you they dont measure the fish, then all of their 48s become 50s. just my personal opinion is all this is, but those bump boards should be a must ! |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I have a slippery piece of plastic with inch increments on it as well as a sewing tape for girths. You can lay the fish on it in the water or in your boat. It will not take slime off, or required verticle holding. I like it. My buddy made it for me last year. My cousing has a nice bump board that is really cool too and worth looking into. always keep a floating stick with us as well, to measure fish we don't intend to take out of the water. |
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Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | I had a stainless steel bump board made. You can throw some water on the bump board and lay the fish on it and it does very little slime removal and the fish is much better off then vertical or on the carpet. I like it much better then the stick...especially on big fish when you really want to get an accurate read (Don't start, I catch a big fish, to me I want to know if its a 49 or a 51...not, well we aren't sure, we measured it with the stick in the water and it was rough, but I think it was around 51...). A bump board takes out any doubts.
To me, this is the way to go. I care very much for the fishery, getting a decent measurement on a big fish means something. Done right and quickly is the only way.
Here is a picture of a very small fish that my buddy Craig Eversoll caught up on Eagle....its laying on the bump board...We had 4-6 foot rollers out there....try getting a measurement on this fish in the water under those conditions.....
It was highly doubtful that this fish lived...we both think it died shortly afterwards due to starvation....it was wasting away to nothing....
Cory
Edited by C.Painter 6/9/2005 9:57 AM
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| great picture Cory...dang skinny Canuck fish!
i've got nice wide side lids on my boat (similar to those shown in Cory's picture).
i put one of the 56" Gander Mountain tape measure stickers along the inside of the boat between the gunnel and the compartment lid tops. i lined up the end of it precisely to the edge of the rear lid.
i pop that rear lid open and use it as a bump board edge.
this setup allows me to measure a fish without releasing my grip on it.
i can maintain my jaw hold and bump the fishes nose against the read lid edge.
my partner can pinch the tail to get an exact measurement, or if i'm by myself i'll be as precise as i can.
it's really quick this way...pull the fish out of the net, line up and measure, turn and pose for picture, back in the water. all without ever changing the horizontal hold or losing my grip.
in the past i've just wet down the boat side and lid carpet...from people's thoughts here it sounds like it might be even better to stick a piece of wet plastic over the carpet. |
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Posts: 720
| Hi Tom,
Bump board in my boat. I hope it gets a serious workout this year.
See Ya,
Dave |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | Cory
Where did you get your bump board?
Troy |
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Posts: 743
| Corey..do you and your cronies make you steel bumper? if so...i need one!
Hunter Dave...what kind of bump board do you have? plastic? wood, metal? who makes yours?? all i know Hunter4 is your bumpboard better hit 60" inches! YOU"LL NEED IT.
wow...this thread took off quick...you guys are way ahead of me..i need a bumper!!
give me somthing corey/hunter 4..anything to work from...i need one.
tomcat
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| I find it best to estimate, and in fact the seven 50" fish in my boat this year were all estimated. So they might be off an inch or twenty, big deal!
When I need a scientifically accurate measurement, I have wide gunnels and have a 60" tape on the left(clear deck) side. Pretty quick and slime friendly if one actually has any reason to measure a fish, and if the fish starts to flop it is easy to direct over the side into the drink without banging around in the boat. |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Tomcat,
Most of my fish I will measure in the water with a floating stick. If you need a good measurement for a fish I have a very neat tool for you to look at. The Frabill Pro-Tech Cradle. I carry this in my boat for one reason, measuring fish. The neat thing about this cradle, it floats. Throw it over the edge of the boat and place the fish in it after pictures. It has a "wall end" in the front so the fish can't swim out. You can use the measuring scale on the cradle, but I opt to use the stick yet just because you don't have to move the fish to line it up. It has worked very well for me and is extremely easy on the fish, its in the water the whole time.
In the picture below I was fishing alone. I just let the cradle and fish float at boatside and snapped this pic.
Edited by nwild 6/9/2005 11:00 AM
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Posts: 743
| TIGHT norm and baldy...you guys rock. thanks to both of ya.
not sure if i want to "land" a fish w/ the cradle just to measure it..or net it then cradle it..but anyways...great product there..didnt know it had a measuring deal too on the Frabill Cradle..
cradle...bump board...I WANT BOTH!
prrrrr
tomcat |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Tomcat,
You are so right, I don't use it to land the fish, I have the Big Kahuna for that. I use it strictly for measuring at boatside. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is easier on a fish when measuring. |
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Posts: 117
Location: champaign, illinois | I like my Dunright folding bumb board when it is necessary to measure fish. I prefer to shake them off without even using a landing/holding net myself, but in tourney or club outing where measurement is needed the bb comes out. Most don't realize it but these things float too so you CAN use it to measure in the water also, but the fish has to come out of the net and can get away before measurement if not careful.
Jay
Lake Shelbyville Muskie Club www.shelbyvillemuskie.com
and
Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail www.illmuskie.com |
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Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | Tomcat-
I had a freind who works with the stainless stuff...they had some scrap sitting around so I got lucky. I know after using mine in Canada Craig Eversoll just contacted a local metal shop and asked them to make one up for him. they are big and bulky but mine sits neatly on the floor and butts up to the front deck so I can set stuff on it and not loose floor space.
I have also seen some plywood style bump boards that don't have a 90 degree end but you do the same thing as in my boat and slide the plywood up to the squared back side of the front deck and your all set. A glossy coat over the drawn on numbers keeps the numbers on and keeps the slime on the fish...a much more cost effective alternative.
Norm I like the measuring craddle....that would be my second option if I had to choose...lot easier to measure it in the water then trying to get a measurement when the fish is trying to swim away!
Cory |
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Posts: 720
| Hi Tom,
Corey and I must have the same friend because mine is also stainless steel I went ahead and mounted my on the outside lip of the rod locker. I might have another because I had about four made for some other boats and I think one is still avalible. I'll check
Thanks
Dave |
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Posts: 714
Location: Rhinelander, WI | Haven't used purchased it yet, but probably will before this years Canada trip the end of July. I looks like it will work pretty well.
sorry they don't have a pic.
http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/16/page/1...
Nail A Pig!
Mike |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | http://www.mrgmuskies.com/html/dunwright_bump.htm |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | If I want an accurate measurement I use this bump board that my uncle machined out of some type of lamenate at work. Most fish I measure in the water with a floating ruler if at all.
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| I use a vertical hold, except for instead of holding the fish by the jaw I use one of those salmon nuises to hold the muskie by the tail. It has tape measure tied to the handle and just need to adjust for the amount of tail handing above the cinch...:)Ben |
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Posts: 743
| Great idea benR..my old technique of putting them on a stringer til i got back to the dock was just bogging me down..pelicans would swoop down to try to eat the littles ones on the stringer. i see you have a better system. i'll have to check out the salmon nuise...I know alot of guys use the Mexican Neck Tie....but the nuise..GREAT idea! ha.
Muskie Medic..someone else made the board for you..so no comment on the Hammer Time etching at the 50" marker....50" will never be big enough to whack. NEVER...too short.
i'm glad so many people have been dealing with this issue...it's great. Bump boards and measure cradles..WAY COOL. now..if i can just catch one to measure??????????????????????
maybe next year
tomcat |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | remember too that stepping on them can always gain a inch or so!! seriously great post coolcat. maybe itll help some people think twice about layin them on the carpet next time out! or letting them hang. but then theres nothin wrong with a little hang!! |
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Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | Muskihntr you just inspired a saying for my boat:
There is only one thing that hangs in my boat...and its FAR short of 50 inches!
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| I use the floating measuring stick and never have to take the fish out of the water to measure. I couldn't care less if the measurement is accurate or not. I can't see any reason to ever take a fish out of the water or lay it on anything to measure except in a tournament situation. |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I either do a Horizontal hold and other guy with me lines up pvc measuring stick or I do a quick measure in the water either in the net like Jomusky described or out of the net in the water.. |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | cory, glad i can help. |
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Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The Frabill is great for measuring the fish. I also have a floating stick. I use them together, and all works well and quickly. |
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Posts: 714
Location: Rhinelander, WI | I witnessed something Tuesday night that may have sealed up what I plan to do about a bump board.
While registering Andy and Norms 36 incher for League Norm dipped his Frabil Cradle in the water they then layed the cradle on the front deck of the boat and layed the fish down for a quick, measurement. The material the cradle is made of, made for a good slick surface to lay the fish on for an accurate measurement. With the length gradation built right into the cradle I can see this being an awesome tool for measurements in the water, or on the deck, when more accuracy is needed. Personnel best, league or tourney situation.
I think I will be getting one of these before the Canada trip this year. Added benefit is once the fish is measured you can lift it right in the cradle for an easy release. Not quite as accurate as a bump board, but I can put my current 48” gator stick on the cradle for an even more accurate bump if I am alone and want an accurate measurement, the gradations on the cradle will make it easy to get a length longer than 48 inches.
Good job Norm and thanks for the ideas.
Nail A Pig!
Mike
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | I use a rain coat dipped into the water and layed down on the back deck. If the fish was to fall off the coat it would just slide into the water. I use this when it is required to get a accurate length.
If the fish is under 40 I will usually hold a tape along side of it and get a close number.
Fish in the 50-inch class need a accurate length and girth in my boat. Thats just for my records, repo man, and the clients.
A flat wetted rain coat works great. I have been doing it for years. I do like the sstl bump boards, just might have to make one up. |
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Posts: 56
| As I read the replies to this thread I see many different ways fishermen use to measure their fish before release. I didn't see any method I thought was bad, only different from others. The method I and the group of guys I fish with use is measuring the fish in our Esox Mag's 60" livewell. We've adhered a 56" measuring sticker tape to the bottom of the livewell. After the fish is placed in the waterfilled livewell, it can be measured by bumping the nose to the zero end of the tape that starts from one end and looking down to see the length at the tail end of the fish. The fish is supported by water, receiving oxygenated water and in my opinion and experience, facing no harm or possible tail damage I've sometimes seen happen while thrashing in a net. Also, having the fish in the livewell offers time to gather photo equipment for a quick picture/video when the fish is lifted out of the livewell and returned to the water. I will note I believe using a good pair of protective gloves, such as the Berkley brand, helps in gripping the fish and protecting your hands from sharp hooks or teeth. Again, there is more than one way to safely measure and care for a fish before and during release. The method I described happens to work best for me and the guys I fish with.
Steve |
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