Glad you got that off your chest, feel better?

I think most tournaments at Fork say it cannot touch 16 to make it less likely people will bring in a fish they call 16" that breaks the 16" line by a hair when the tail is swept. It gives the TD a tiny bit more room to NOT DQ a fish. If the TD bumps the nose a little lighter than the angler did in the boat then you may have a slot fish, bump it a little harder and it keeps. Leaves too much up to the guy doing the measuring IMO.

Rob Lay may say its a legal fish but the game warden or TD that measures it is who I will listen too. Best advice is to ask the TD prior what his judgenent is on this scenario.

well even more against your point saying a fish can't be 16.000000". since the line is wider than 0.000001" it is easier to be right on it than 0.000001" over.

Tell them rob lay said it was fine.lol

I weighed a legal fish on a check it that was over on a pro rule. According to my Stanley tape the check it stick was right on that day. I guess 16 inches varies by which trail your fishing.

This guy is right.

That is why each trail declares the brand of measuring board they use in their rules. That way everyone has a chance to use the same standard.


Like I said earlier a trail can impose more strict size limits. By using the same logic as this thread title technically a 12' spot is a legal fish on some lakes but you can't weigh them in as such.

16" could make a nice difference because you might not be catching and culling 5+ 15 7/8" fish. usually you are just lucky to get a limit of 15" fish, so getting one right on the line could be literally "money".

do people throw back overs that touch 24"?

I've also heard rumors some of the most consistent tournament fisherman on Fork push that 16" line and known to WD every few years after measuring. I don't know about most tournaments, but I know with FLW you need to be 1/8" or so off to not make it, they are VERY lenient.

My advice is to have the exact board the tournament uses and make sure it is in good condition, check fish carefully, and then use courtesy board too if more questions. Fish can change during the day too a little.

They will give a ticket if you go over 16". As said rare to be on line and not go over. With the warden if you have a fish measuring properly mouth closed pressing on head fanning tail and you get it to just touch the line, you are legal. If warden tries to ticket you for that then it was over the line or slightest possibility that you might need to refresh their memory of the printed rule. I don't blame wardens, they have thousands of regulations to remember that change often, nothing wrong with being nice to warden refreshing their memory.

I agree.

Lol try that whole refreshing their memory, aka telling them how to do their job, report back on results. Maybe some go pro video of the ticket writing that follows. Lol

you are so smart I can't believe it. next time I will spell out that the TD is in charge of measuring for their tournaments and the warden for state laws. If they are following state laws a 16" fish will be legal with the TD and the game warden.

Rob this was a great topic. Come down to Fork during the McDonalds tournament this fall and watch a few of the weigh ins . You will see some great debates and some of them will involve scissors, it happens every year. I just hope that my house was not framed on 16 inch centers.

no reason to be so mean whatever ills you in life.