It wasn�t me. It was a video on here where a very obvious slot fish was put in the live well. Just got me to thinking and questioning my understanding of the law. That�s all. No big deal.

Are you sure it isn't more of just

No sir. I promise. Just trying to make sure I understand.

Hey guys that was my video and it wasn�t a very obvious slot prior to measuring. With tail relaxed it was 23 and pinched and swiped it was 23.5. Regardless I feel I provided a clear follow up to the question this post asks. Please feel free to check out my post.

Yes, it was yours, and I did not mean to point fingers, that wasn't my intent. Your video made me curious about placing the fish in the live-well to measure for slot and then weigh. I just wanted to be clear on the law in case I am ever blessed to land a fish that big. As a primarily solo angler, was asking myself how I would handle that situation. That's all, I meant no ill will toward you and your video. Congrats on the big fish

No offense taken at all. I'm glad the question was asked and am happy we all learned something.

Thank you sir

No, not on a slot lake. I've never understood why so many are confused about this. The TPWD law on this is very clear, unlike a few of their other laws. [/quote]
I'd like to see them be specific on how to measure a bass. "For soft-tailed fish, squeeze the tail fin together to obtain the maximum overall length". Some TD's interpret that to mean sweep the tail, some do not. I always ask when I register but it would be better if everyone were on the same page.

I'd like to see them be specific on how to measure a bass. "For soft-tailed fish, squeeze the tail fin together to obtain the maximum overall length". Some TD's interpret that to mean sweep the tail, some do not. I always ask when I register but it would be better if everyone were on the same page. [/quote]

Every TD I know measures the fish at its longest possible length....which is �pinching� the tail, and swishing it.

if any of you have ever spent some time at any of the bigger (hourly) tournaments here you will see from time to time at least 4 game wardens present. They will be chatting and enjoying themselves until the person measuring the bass indicates that there may be a problem. Then you will see an angler walking up with his measuring device in hand. A discussion will ensue while his fished is placed on the device, eventually the fish will not be weighed and the angler will take a walk with the warden to his truck, to be seen later with a piece of paper in his hand.

The ticket will be around $200 and the angler will be disqualified from the event for the rest of that day. They may also check out his partner to see if he has a record or any prior tickets with the wardens. Wardens are troopers and have access to the same info.

That fish may have been that anglers personal best ever, but if it does not measure over 24" it is going to be a bad day. And for those anglers trying to sneak in that 16 and a hair over the same results do apply. $200 and being DQ'd.

So you are out on the lake fishing, not really paying attention to the 20' Skeeter over by the bank but believe me if it is the warden's boat he is paying attention to you and all of the boats in the area. Using very strong binoculars he can see what you are doing and if he sees something strange he will be over to check you out. And while he is there your whole boat comes under scrutiny.

So the guy on this forum posts a video of the slot bass he caught in his live well, and then come on here to say it is 23.5" and he knows it. Do any of you read the newspapers like the Fisherman's Guide? You know the part about the Game Warden's Field Notes? In it they report on the idiots they catch after posting what they have done on social media. My friend this is social media.

Remember nothing is illegal unless you get caught

The guys that basically "taunt" the wardens, by posting pics and videos on social media they know are violations, are the best