I didn’t look at the website to see the photo requirements but will these two pics be good enough to get a big fish and body record?



It’s pretty obvious the length is good but the tail wasn’t pinched and on the tape measure.

Just wondering if it has a chance or do I need to get a measuring board.

You need three photos for a weight record along with a completed records application. The photos are the length of the fish,girth of the fish, and angler holding the fish. You would also need the weight of the fish taken from a CERTIFIED Scale that is calibrated once a year. For a catch&release record (Sunfish is a 10" Length minimum). You need only two pictures. Picture showing the Length of the fish, and you holding the fish. You also need a witness to the release of the fish. That's a nice Redbreast.



Side Note. The minimum weight of the fish has to be .50 Lbs to qualify for a weight record. Again nice fish.

Based on your photo I would give 10" for sure. You could also maybe get a 10.25". If the forks on the tail were pinched I would easily guess 10.25". Either way would qualify for a Catch&Release record if you released the fish and providing there is not a 10" or over C&R Redbreast Record already posted for that water body.



Side Note: Based on your two photos (Only) you can apply for both a Catch&Release Record and Big Fish Award. If was submitting the application I would use 10.10" for the fishes length.

I have had two different fish not qualify because of not measuring the right way


ALWAYS close the mouth and pinch the tail

Those look pretty good to me! But my opinion will not go all that far as far as records go!

I understand needing a cloth tape to measure girth but is one allowed for length? Supposed to lay it on top of the fish? That is less accurate if they are really picky.

Is the requirement really for cloth, or is it for a "flexible material"?
I have some measurement tapes that are a very tough/stable synthetic material that seems molded, not woven "cloth" - like a very tough flexible plastic.

That’s what I meant, Flippin. Cloth would have stretch. Shouldn’t have used that word.

I have one used for sewing. I just don’t think it should be used for length though. Going around the side of the fish is longer than the straight line is. Although covering the tape can be cheated too.

I don’t know. I’ll submit it and let y’all know.

Tommar, The tape needs to be underneath or closely beside the fish. The fish with tape on top were rejected. I try to use a bump board whenever possible.

The girth photo is only needed for the weight category, and only to verify that a fish of a certain length and girth would weight approximately what was submitted. You can probably get away with a regular tape measure but I would get a cloth tape going forward. 3 for a dollar at the Dollar Store

Great Fish, by the way. If you would have had him on a bump board and squeezed the tail it may have went 10.5 inches. That's a monster red breast

Walmart has the tailor measuring tapes for about $2.00. That is all I have ever used. Also Plus #1 on what J-Moe added. I know several anglers who have gotten length records rejected for the tape being on top of their fish and with fish mouths open.

I’m mostly worried about not having the tail pinched. I mean, it’s obvious it is over ten without it anyway. There is no body record there so I’ll do like you said, Banker, and submit it for 10.10. I’ll be happy to get just the big fish award at least.

I could get a bump board but I was taking the minimalistic approach this trip. Didn’t have the flexible tape so I grabbed my tape measure knowing I had a chance to catch something like this. Banker, do you try to align the mouth right on the zero mark or do they take that in consideration and do the math?

I wish I knew about this program years ago. I caught some 10-11” Rios in this creek before a flood totally changed things. I took a pic of it sitting on my little tackle box for reference. I wonder if I can find it.

Thanks for the help and interest everyone!

Tommar: Just my opinion (Does not mean a thing) I think you should be OK with the 10.10" Length. When all is said Ron Smith of the Texas Parks&Wildlife, who runs the Angler Recognition Program, will have the FINAL say!



Side Note: Submit your application for both the C&R Record and the Big Fish Award. My guess and guess only you will get both! However I have been wrong before!

I usually make sure the tape is even with the end of the mouth. My tape is always under the fish.

I could get a catch and release record any day that I fish Athens in the tube except for one little thing. There would never be a witness. Kind of hard to get 2 people in a float tube and I release them as soon as I catch them. I don't want to advertise by taking them back to the boat ramp. Most people fishing Athens target the bass and I'd like to keep it that way. The big gills kind of fly under the radar.