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Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot #10362732 10/21/14 05:12 PM
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RandyK Offline OP
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When measuring bass to make sure they are under the 16 inches at Fork, is squeezing/pinching the tail a "must"? Or can you can measure the fish without squeezing/pinching the tail so it measures a little shorter?

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Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10362742 10/21/14 05:14 PM
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you must squeeze tail and swipe it to get the longest length available.

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10362930 10/21/14 06:27 PM
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I'm hoping you didn't get a citation, but if you did, this is what TPWD says to do in their 2014-15 Outdoor Annual (which I believe is the authoritative legal document for fishing regulations in the state).

http://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/freshwater-fishing/measurement-tips

2. For soft-tailed fish, squeeze the tail fin together to obtain the maximum overall length


Based on personal experience, I do everything I can to get the maximum length for an "under" on a slot lake. It may or may not cost me checks during tournaments, but it's keeping me from having to pay a fine and deal with the wardens.

Now this is hearsay, so please take it for what it is and not as me making an accusation, but I've heard from guys on Lake Fork that the game wardens will also push down on the fish.


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Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10362944 10/21/14 06:36 PM
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KB1953 Offline
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Then there are those who like to massage a fish.

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10363148 10/21/14 07:59 PM
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You better be sure and flip that fish over and measure it as well. While it may or may not measure one way, it just might the other.


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Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10363283 10/21/14 08:49 PM
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you are all right. And don't forget that your 24" and a hair might shrink up on you in your livewell. Don't waste a lot of time getting it to the scales.

And finally if you catch a bass with the tail square like it might have been trimmed save yourself a hard time and throw it back. Even if you didn't do it you become the suspect. Those fines are much larger.

Last edited by Bruce Allen; 10/21/14 08:49 PM.

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Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10364955 10/22/14 02:55 PM
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learned from the friendly game warden during a tournament several years ago, you have to measure the bass on both sides. I had a fish just under 16" that had been measured at least 3 times... i was sure of it! at weigh in the fish measured over. the warden had me explain to him how i measured the fish. when the warden measured the fish it was under on one side, over on the other side. this fish is over. with a warning ticket in hand, the warden taught me the right way to measure a fish. thank u mr game warden

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10364998 10/22/14 03:14 PM
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Same thing happened tome at Fork. Fish was under on one side and over on the other. Nothing that I can see in any wildlife regulations says that you have to measure the fish on both sides.

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: KB1953] #10365065 10/22/14 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted By: KB1953
Then there are those who like to massage a fish.
had that happen the same thing happen to me

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: JeffLStevens] #10365525 10/22/14 07:16 PM
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Bobby Milam Offline
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Originally Posted By: JeffLStevens
Same thing happened tome at Fork. Fish was under on one side and over on the other. Nothing that I can see in any wildlife regulations says that you have to measure the fish on both sides.


No but up to you to make sure it is under. It doesn't tell u which side to measure so err on the side of caution

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: Bobby Milam] #10365686 10/22/14 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted By: dfwe
Originally Posted By: JeffLStevens
Same thing happened tome at Fork. Fish was under on one side and over on the other. Nothing that I can see in any wildlife regulations says that you have to measure the fish on both sides.


No but up to you to make sure it is under. It doesn't tell u which side to measure so err on the side of caution


So if you have an "over" that measures on one side and not on the other, should you throw it back? I'm just curious, because I've always heard "maximum obtainable length". And then again I've heard if it measures on one side, then it is okay.

It really is unfortunate that it's an imperfect science and that people have to pay sizeable fines for something like measurement error, especially when those fish are going straight back to the lake. I know some guys make egregious errors with their measurements or ignorance, but the majority do not.


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Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10366662 10/23/14 06:15 AM
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Yes, Alex, if it measures the wrong length on either side, it would be an illegal fish unless there is something that I have not seen which states which side you are to measure. That's something that if you were ticketed for, you could contest in court and probably get the citation dismissed IF you could prove that one side measured legally but I wouldn't risk the fine. I would assume that a warning would be the norm for the violation if you could show them how you came by it. I don't think that the state regulates the measuring device. What if your measuring device is a hair off of theirs? I know tournaments use an official measuring device but who knows what a game warden might pull out.

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10366694 10/23/14 10:04 AM
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I have been at pre tournament meeting on Fork that there were 3 Game Wardens at. They did a talk about the slot and how to measure them, well after the talk, if you asked each one, you would get three different answers on what is an under and what is an over, so if you are in question at all, toss it. Better Safe than sorry.

Here are the three answers I got when asked

1. If it touches 16 and 24 its a slot fish
2. If it touches 16 its a slot, but if it touches 24 its an over
3. If it touches 16 its not a slot but if it touches 24 its a slot

Go figure

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10366893 10/23/14 01:29 PM
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KB1953 Offline
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Another speed trap, money maker!

Re: Measuring bass to make sure they are under the slot [Re: RandyK] #10368442 10/24/14 02:12 AM
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M. Massoletti Offline
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Papa don't know why they gave the 3 answers since none of the 3 are right. Over 16 and under 24 is state statute.

Black bass
For largemouth bass, length limit is a 16-24 slot. Bass 16 inches and less or 24 inches or greater in length may be retained. Only one bass 24 inches or greater may be retained each day. For smallmouth bass (if present), minimum length = 14 inches. No minimum length on spotted and Guadalupe bass (if present.) Daily bag limit for all four species = 5 bass in combination.

Alot of times it is a tournament rule that it not touch 16. As long of it does not go over the line it is legal for 16 and as long as it touches the 24 line it's legal for and over.

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