haha.. i know were talking about fork if were talking about fish without an upper lip!

I can't believe this has to be discussed in depth like this.

If the fish doesn't touch 16, keep it. If it does touch 16, throw it back.

I just saved all of you the trouble of having to write anything else. smh. . .

It's got to be tough to be a TD at Fork, there are lots of borderline fish in that lake on both ends of the slot, and some great anglers that can catch them.

Exactly. So is the middle of an 1/8" line on a measuring stick the 16" mark? If so, then touching the line just barely would be 15 15/16", right? Covering the line without going over would be 16 1/16"? Same goes with 24". That's always been something I've wondered about.

I've always wondered why, especially on Fork tournaments, that they haven't come out with some type of measuring device like the EZ Check it that GWs use for crappie and other small fish. Just drop the fish in the device and you could then have as fine a line as you want to check against. The plastic would not get bent, and would not expand/contract with the weather conditions.

that is INCORRECT and reason I started this thread, because there are MANY people that don't understand the law like you. so BELIEVE it! now if you are talking about the many tournaments out there that are "under 16" you would be CORRECT.

no, anything "on the line", meaning not short of it with daylight before or over it with some tail over daylight, THEN it is EXACTLY that mark, in Fork's case 16" and legal! this is where doubly important you have same ruler as tournament with same width line and just as accurate.

Ok, I can't resist. Math is the only exact science and there is only one right.

Has anyone considered where the fish's nose hits the end of the measuring board, how high up? The boards used in tournaments do not accurately measure the real length of the fish, they measure the long leg of a right triangle, the true length of the fish being the hypotenuse.

Making the conservative assumption that an 7 lb 24" fish is 3" thick at the head, the nose would hit 1.5" up on the end of the board. With the tail laying flat on the board, it creates an angled measurement, not a true length of the fish.

Just a quick look at these numbers shows a fish that a 3" thick fish measuring 24" on the board is really about 24.05" long, and a 23 15/16" fish on the board really is 24" on a straight line measurement. The thicker the fish, the more the error, i.e. a 4" thick 23 7/8" board measured fish may be 24" in reality.

You think this could win an argument with the GW on Fork? I know the regs say a board, and the TD of all tournaments says we're using XXX board, so it is consistently applied to everyone. But if we get down deep on this, that measurement method is not accurate.

I agree with your points on inaccuracy of measurement, but it is irrelevant until a point you file a lawsuit against tournament organizer or the state. Your points would only help you arguing for an over that didn't go your way, but heck, it may be worth it for one of these high dollar tournaments. that said it is only practical you get what you get with the TD and game warden, their rule is the rule (pun intended), and you have to accept it unless you protest through legal system.

WOW !!! this 16 inch for Fork thing blew up.

You know you're stuck at the office or the fish aren't biting when you're arguing about the difference in 16.0000000000 and 16.0000000001

I think the better story would be certain people can get away with fish over 16" in tournaments while others have fish that are almost too close to call get a DQ.

I had a bag once that was a solid 9lbs that read 7.30. I said is that right? "My scales aren't wrong" *fish dumped in tank"...guy behind me weighs and says "can you zero the scale?" after his weight had been locked in....ZEROED IT NOT ONCE BUT 3 TIMES. Weight increased just under 2lbs (on a bag of UNDERS!?!?!) Next tournament I ask for the scales to be zeroed and was to.d they don't zero scales. I mentioned the angler from the previous tournament and got a nervous laugh and a new weighmaster. Last time I fished that circuit.

maybe someone should bring a measuring tape with them and when they are told their fish is too long or too short whip the measuring tape out and measure the board and then see their reaction when you tell them so is my measuring tape off lol

i agree.. seen it happen first hand

Sounds like a need for a higher quality integrity TD

I have heard under 18 will get you 20. Oh are we talking about fish? LOL