Introduction
Measuring striped bass correctly is key to ensuring you’re complying with local fishing laws, which often have size limits. It’s also a good way to track the growth of the fish if you’re practicing catch and release. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to measure striped bass effectively.
Step 1: Understand the Regulations
Before measuring striped bass, familiarize yourself with the local regulations. Different water bodies can have varying rules concerning the legal size of the fish that can be kept. These regulations help in maintaining the population of striped bass by preventing overfishing of juveniles. Always check with the local fish and wildlife agency to know the current rules.
Step 2: Gather Necessary Tools
You’ll need a fish ruler or tape measure to get the job done correctly. Make sure your measuring tool is long enough to measure the fish from the nose to the end of the tail. A soft, flexible tape measure is often best for measuring the contour of the fish’s body if it is not perfectly straight.
Step 3: Handling the Fish
When handling striped bass, wet your hands first to protect the fish’s slime coat, which protects it from infection and aids in swimming. Hold the fish horizontally, supporting its weight with both hands. Avoid using any tool that can puncture or harm the fish, particularly if you are practicing catch and release.
Step 4: Measuring Length
Place the striped bass on a flat, horizontal surface. If you’re on a boat, a commonly used flat space is a cooler top or a customized measuring board. If you’re on shore, find a stable and flat surface like a dock or boardwalk. Then, follow these sub-steps:
- Position the fish with its mouth closed and its jaw touching the edge of the ruler or right at the ‘0’ mark on your measuring tape.
- Lay the fish down along the length of the ruler.
- Press down on the tail to fan it out to its maximum length.
- Take the measurement from the tip of the snout to the longest part of the tail. This is known as the “total length.”
- Some regulations might require a “fork length” measurement, which is from the snout to the fork in the tail, not the tips of the longer tail fin rays. Be sure to confirm which measurement to use.
Step 5: Measuring Girth
While not always necessary for regulations, measuring the girth of a striped bass can be useful for estimating weight or record-keeping. To measure the girth:
- Use a cloth measuring tape.
- Wrap the tape around the fish’s body at the widest part, typically right before the dorsal fin.
- Make sure the tape is snug but not tight, and record the measurement.
Step 6: Returning the Fish to Water
If you are releasing the fish, ensure you handle it gently and return it to the water as quickly as possible to reduce stress. Support the fish in the water until it can swim away on its own, especially if it has been out of the water for more than a minute. Do not toss or throw the fish back as this can injure it.
Conclusion
Measuring striped bass correctly is essential for both legal and conservation reasons. By following these steps, you can ensure that you’re measuring the fish accurately and maintaining ethical fishing practices. Always remember to handle the fish with care, minimizing the time it spends out of the water to help preserve the species for future generations.