Thread: The correct way to measure a 10 in crappie on lake Conway!!

If they are that close why keep em? Its not worth a ticket, just toss em back.

I have 1/4 inch red line painted behind the 12 inch line on my measurer. (Big 4) If he won't go above the red line he go's back. I have rechecked fish caught early morning and cleaned that late afternoon. Some will shrink 1/4 inch. At Enid a short fish is about $155.00. Those are expensive fish. Too rich for my blood.

Shrinkage + inaccuracy of measuring devices can = short fish fine

I use a Golden Rule measuring board ... and according to my tape measure it's "short" by 1/4" to the 10" line.

Mouth closed/tail pinched is the rule in KY, and the CO's use a Golden Rule measuring board .... so I make sure my fish are at least 10.5" long (on lakes with a 10" size limit).

Check your measuring devices with a tape measure/ruler ... you might be surprised at how accurate/inaccurate they really are !!

... cp

Originally Posted by RCC

I guess I've been having a problem with shrinkage for years. I've been throwing 11 inchers in the cooler and when I get home, they are 8 1/2 inch slabs which is exactly what you posted, "they shrink 2.5 inches". Thanks for solving this mystery

Just step on em pretty heavy. They'll grow back some.

You can make a 9-7/8" fish go about 10.25" with a big stomp.

Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

Just step on em pretty heavy. They'll grow back some.

You can make a 9-7/8" fish go about 10.25" with a big stomp.

Heard the story from down south about a woman doing that with a bass. According to the story, the woman was fishing out of a boat and the people coming up on her couldn't see what was going on, all they could here was a big "KAWHOOOMP" from time to time. When they were able to see her, they said she would "KAWHOOOMP" and remeasure. If they didn't make it then, she would throw them back. I'm suspecting there are many versions of this same story.

Wardens might question Crappie pancakes .

Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

Just step on em pretty heavy. They'll grow back some.

You can make a 9-7/8" fish go about 10.25" with a big stomp.

Originally Posted by NIMROD

Wardens might question Crappie pancakes .

Why? They don't question crappie tacos.

Originally Posted by D10

Check the AGFC fishing guide for the correct way to measure a fish. Pictures are worth a thousand words. I have always been told to make sure that it is 0.25 inch longer to protect from shrinkage. Personally I will only keep if it in 10.5 inches.

I vote we deputize D-10 as Conway's Game Warden and Fish Biologist. All in favor?