Fish Measurement

[Riem]

SABAA fish measurement

Herewith an extract from the SABAA fish measurement document that I thought could be useful to you.

Condensed measurement method.

Do not push mouth against the front of the tape; just allow it to touch it in it’s natural state.

(The weigh master should check the length of the fish along each of its flanks and if either meets the prescribed minimum length then the fish is deemed to be of legal length and should be included in the fish to be weighed for that angler)

Amongst fresh water fish biologists there are three main measurement methods used to determine the length of a fish. These are Standard, Fork and Total Length.

Standard Length measured from tip of closed snout to the mid base of the caudal/tail fin (ie end of fleshy part on the tail) is normally used by scientists as the result is unaffected by minor damage to the tail fin or exotic tail shapes when determining fish’s condition.

Fork Length is measured from tip of closed snout to the midpoint of the caudal/tail fin in normal rest position and is normally used by marine/saltwater regulatory bodies.

Total length measured from the tip of the closed snout to the furthest point of the tail fin when it is pinched together. This method is the accepted method for purposes of regulations and records in USA.

Of all of these methods the one proposed for use in events sanctioned by SABAA is the total length method (with clarifications to the exact method used).

The measuring method:
The snout of the fish should be closed and rested against the 90° bend of the apparatus.

The fish should be placed on the flat “rule” part of the apparatus and oriented as in the image above.

The snout of the fish should rest gently against the 90° bend.

The fish should not be pressed against the upright in a manner that causes the jaw of the fish to move out of natural alignment or reduces the length of the fish.

The tail should be pinched closed as indicated below and the longest measurement indicated on the rule shall be deemed to be the total length of the fish for the purposes of determining if the fish is of legal length or not.

The weigh master should check the length of the fish along each of its flanks and if either meets the prescribed minimum length then the fish is deemed to be of legal length and should be included in the fish to be weighed for that angler.

[Ninja]

The tail should be pinched closed as indicated below .....

Waarsie prentjie Ruffy?

[Riem]

Norksh,

Dis n groot dokument met fotos. Sal vir RobF stuur om die hele dink te post! In the mean time the write up should suffice... :blue-biggrin:

Ruffy

[Hawkeye]

Shot Ruffy I actually returned a fish that was actually a keeper if you use the pinched tail method... Shucks I would have had a TOTAL of 2 fish for that compo heeheehee Now I know :blue-lol: :blue-razz:

[Joe69]

[Sorry as a newbie what is the legal size bass? We going fishing in Ifafa on the river but I have no clue what I'm allowed to keep or have to throw back?

[Navrik]

Most of us practice catch and release.

[Jeremy]

[Sorry as a newbie what is the legal size bass? We going fishing in Ifafa on the river but I have no clue what I'm allowed to keep or have to throw back?

Competition legal size is 30cm. We all do normally practice catch and release. If you want to take a few smaller ones that is perfectly okay.

I see you use the term throw, and I've seen many do so. The fish is already under big stress so rather release gently, for me the best part about catching a fish. :blue-biggrin: enjoy

[Joe69]

Thx guys that really helps. I agree the fish won't be thrown in anywhere :blue-rolleyes: but I may want to keep 1 or 2 to try out.