Pretty Solid day, SD Bay - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

GregAndrew · 08-17-2013, 04:13 PM

Lots of guys get in trouble with Halibut that they measure on the water at an inch or so over 22. The two most common reasons are that they are measuring over the curve of the fish, and they leave the mouth open. Measuring on the white side can reduce the effects of the curve of the back (which is almost always greater) but is still not perfect.The DFW is going to measure your fish on a flat board that they slide your fish down, head first, until the mouth completely closes. If you have a large flat rail on your yak, mark the legal sizes on it. Then lay the fish out to get a more accurate measurement. Or you can do what I do and attach a stick on tape measure to your paddle and lay the fish over it in your lap. Either way, make sure you are landing the close ones with a net or boga cause they are easier to measure when not on a gaff.

08-17-2013, 04:13 PM	#14
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Lots of guys get in trouble with Halibut that they measure on the water at an inch or so over 22. The two most common reasons are that they are measuring over the curve of the fish, and they leave the mouth open. Measuring on the white side can reduce the effects of the curve of the back (which is almost always greater) but is still not perfect.The DFW is going to measure your fish on a flat board that they slide your fish down, head first, until the mouth completely closes. If you have a large flat rail on your yak, mark the legal sizes on it. Then lay the fish out to get a more accurate measurement. Or you can do what I do and attach a stick on tape measure to your paddle and lay the fish over it in your lap. Either way, make sure you are landing the close ones with a net or boga cause they are easier to measure when not on a gaff.