My buddy was DQed at a recent tourney. I personally saw and measured the fish the correct way and it was just under the slot. I am not sure how the people that measure these fish leared how to wave the tip of the tailto the line but that is not what the TPWD laws state. Here is how it is supposed to be done and the link to the TPWD page. NOTE it never says anything about waving the top or bottom of the tail to the line. Sorry just ranting but this should be universal in all Texas Tournaments.

How to Measure Fish and Crabs
Use these guidelines to measure fish correctly (total length):

Place the fish on its side with the jaw closed.
Squeeze the tail fin together or turn it in a way to obtain the maximum overall length.
Measure a straight line from the tip of the snout to the extreme tip of the tail fin.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/tag_measure_release/

"Squeeze the tail fin together or turn it in a way to obtain the maximum overall length."

So this doesnt cover turning the tail? Just wondering.

I think that's your answer. If you can sweep the tail from side to side and the fish touches the line with its mouth shut and its lip touching the other end of the board, it is a 14" fish (or whatever, depending on what line it touches).

No. This covers turning the fish to me. Check the illistration. "Squeeze the tail fin together or turn it in a way to obtain the maximum overall length." Means lay it straight on the ruler so that when you close the tail it is at its maximum length. Right???

The longest point you get is the straight line from mouth to tail. Weather you fan the tail or squeeze the tail if at any angle the fish can touch the line it is either in or under the slot. Remeber the straight line is from the longest or most extreme point of the tail to the nose or tip of the lip this does mean the fish will be straight on the board.

A tournament organization can impose stricter regulations pertaining to fish measurement but they cannot loosen the requirements of the state's regs. Best bet is to get with the TD before the event and ask how he measures the fish along with any other questions you may have of him. It pays to be safe.

If you are talking about the Media Super Team, Gordon announced before take off that the tail would be "fanned" when measured. there were a few guys trying to sneak some by that got caught.

I agree with Tim. Weather you squeeze or fan, that tail will either touch or not touch. There's no in between. If you were fishing the Media on Fork, those fish were obviously over the line for Gordon to DQ someone.
I measure them 2 or 3 diferent ways and times to make sure. If they are that close, you need to use the bump board they are using at weigh in, in front of the tanks to double make sure.
You might want to check your bump board Ive seen some compared to others that are a bit off.
I always use a Pro-Rule. They are usually right on the money.

Sometimes a fish will be longer laid on one side compared to the other.
The longest side is the measurement.

A good rule of thumb is to try just as hard to find a way to make them hit the line to go back as you would if it was the line to keep them.

Ditto. I've never seen a TD not try to give someone the benefit of the doubt so if it touched, then it touched.

I can understand if they announced that they would fan the tail than that's what they are going to do. It's their tounament they can do what they want. This doesn't change the law. It says to lay the fish in a manner to obtain maximum length, not to move the tail in a manner to obtain maximum length. It just says pinch the tail with the fish laying straight.

PS it was not a Media Event

One more reason I don't fish tournaments on slot lakes.

Sorry SkeeterEater, I interpret the reg as doing whatever it takes to get the maximum length. Fanning would be doing whatever it takes. This rule protects anglers on all lakes except slot lakes.

As a tournament director, I do not look for reasons to DQ someone. I think "most" of us will do what it takes (flipping and/or fanning).