Why does the Legend tournament short the under length limit by not allowing the touching 16" fish to be weighed? I know it doesn't matter if that is the tournament rule, but just wondered about the reasoning for not using the state regulations.

That is the state regulation for Lake Fork. If the tail of the fish touches the 16" mark it is 16 inches long thus, an illegal fish. The fish must be shorter than 16"

i think he was referring to what the TPWD website says:

"Largemouth bass are subject to a 16- to 24-inch slot limit. Bass 16 inches and shorter and 24 inches and longer can be harvested with a daily bag limit of 5 fish, of which only 1 fish can be 24 inches or greater."

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/fork/



but any tournament i've fished out there does not accept 16" fish.. maybe a TD will chime in..

"That is the state regulation for Lake Fork"

Mike, not so. Go to the regulations for Fork and it reads "16" and shorter are legal"

That is exactly what it says ..... thanks for bringing that to my attention.
My question is - Why do the game wardens write tickets if the fish touch the line?

Evan, you are correct, and it seems all tournaments do this on Fork. I was just wondering what the reasoning and thinking is behind this.

I think your measuring board vrs the weight masters is where the 16 inch comes into play. It may barley touch on yours but will it go over on his. May want to compare boards before tour. if possible but there is always the possiblity of the fish relaxing and be over when you get to weight in. Good Luck in the Tour.

I wonder if they do this so that the TD doesn't get in any hot water over accepting a fish that might be 16.00001" when the game warden measured it?


I know this has come up before.. maybe someone 'in the know' will chime in

I don't know why Don (the tournament director) does this. It has been like that since I have been helping with the tournaments. Jeromy or myself will be measuring fish this weekend. We always have courtesy boards set up on the walkway from the docks. Use them if you are in doubt, before you bring the fish to us

You would be suprised how many people come up with illegal fish, and yes the wardens are usually right there. They will right you a ticket too. Also make sure you have all your safety equipment (life jackets, THROW cushions, kill switch) and your boat you fish out of is current on registration. All that is checked at the end of each hour when we do boat checks on the winners. If you have any questions about the rules, ASK.

Looking forward to a fun weekend.

I can understand that it might be a little less problematic at weigh in, but would it not be the same for fish over the slot? Why not make the overs be "over" 24 for a little insurance if that is the reason. Of course, then you don't have the numbers of overs. It just seems not going by the state regulations lead to confusion as evidenced by folks not really knowing the length rules.

I'm betting it's because of potential problems for the TD and angler if the fish ends up being over.

As for not knowing the length rules of a tournament, that's no one's fault but the angler. Anyone who get's DQ'd for ignorance of the rules deserved it, IMO.

i will be out there fishing the legends all wkend today is my friday and practice all day tomorrow and cash checks all weekend!!!

it cannot touch 16" at all. but if it touches 24 it is good

Dont they use the Check It Stick brand of measuring board?

No kidding on the Check-It-Stick throw the POS out if you have one.