Fish shrinkage?

eelgrass · Feb 3, 2015

The other day I went fishing at the Jetty and caught a lingcod. The minimum size is 22" and this one was right on the mark so I kept it. When I got home a couple hours later it was only 21.75" I could have gotten in some real trouble.

Has anyone ever noticed that fish shrink after being dead awhile?

Eel

It's written in the good Book that we'll never be asked to take more than we can. Sounds like a good plan, so bring it on!

Phantom Hunter · Feb 3, 2015

I have seen fish shrinkage on occasion. I usually only keep fish that are over the minimum length for that reason and also as a check on my measurements.

DW · Feb 3, 2015

They're mostly water I would expect as they lose water they shrink. But I haven't paid that much attention.

overton · Feb 3, 2015

Every 1,000 lb marlin I ever caught weighed far less by the time I got them back to the dock.

NVBighorn · Feb 3, 2015

Poacher!

[font color="blue"]I don't make the soup,I just stir it.[/font]

eelgrass · Feb 3, 2015

>
>Every 1,000 lb marlin I ever
>caught weighed far less by
>the time I got them
>back to the dock.
>
>
>
>

1911 said that's not the only shrinkage you've experienced. I don't know what he was talking about though.

Eel
It's written in the good Book that we'll never be asked to take more than we can. Sounds like a good plan, so bring it on!

eelgrass · Feb 3, 2015

>Poacher!
>
>
>[font color="blue"]I don't make the soup,I
>just stir it.[/font]

You got something against poachers?

Eel

It's written in the good Book that we'll never be asked to take more than we can. Sounds like a good plan, so bring it on!

eelgrass · Feb 3, 2015

NVB, I ate the evidence.

Eel

It's written in the good Book that we'll never be asked to take more than we can. Sounds like a good plan, so bring it on!

DW · Feb 3, 2015

"The perfect crime!" Beat ya tri!

sageadvice · Feb 3, 2015

Most of the Trout i catch get smaller as i wind them in. They are all at least 10 pounders when i first see or feel the bite but are lucky to be 3 or 4 pounds by the time they reach he net!

Hate it when that happens! lol

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

elkassassin · Feb 3, 2015

Well Eel?

You ever Disappoint any of the Ladies with Dimensions in your Life?

[font color="redhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMsueOnu0kY

Ltsheets · Feb 7, 2015

I lived in FL for 5 years and owned a boat every year I was there (still trying to sell it actually). I had a 1/4" rule on my boat. Everything we kept had to be at least a 1/4" over the min to account for shrinkage. Most F&G officers would let you go if you were only 1/4" short but not all.

jester · Feb 7, 2015

The close ones get a broken back Eel..jester

eelgrass · Feb 7, 2015

Ltsheets, that's actually a good policy. I think I'll start doing that. 1/4" over minimum. Thanks!

Do they make a "fish stretcher"?

Eel

It's written in the good Book that we'll never be asked to take more than we can. Sounds like a good plan, so bring it on!

DW · Feb 7, 2015

Yes eel! I store mine next to my sky hook and board stretcher, right behind my boatsman's punch!

Ltsheets · Feb 8, 2015

No problem! It was a tough rule to adhere to sometimes but everytime I heard someone get busted for short fish, it reaffirmed why I used that rule.

>Ltsheets, that's actually a good policy.
>I think I'll start doing
>that. 1/4" over minimum. Thanks!
>
>
>Do they make a "fish stretcher"?

>
>
>Eel
>
>It's written in the good Book
>that we'll never be asked
>to take more than we
>can. Sounds like a good
>plan, so bring it on!
>
>
>