Northwest Fishing Reports

While looking through the gallery, I see a lot of numbers like 42"x 20". Can someone explain this measuring method and why it is used?:-s

Marc,
Measuring muskies has been the norm for a long time since hanging them from their lip or jaw from a scale or lip gripper does then no good whatsoever and can seriously injure them so they can't eat. Similarly, lifting them by their gill covers can and does have an adverse effect on them. A length in inches is not just so you've got a measurement to tell your buddies about, it's needed to fill in the blanks on a lunge(muskellunge)log and in many other musky logs and it's the standard by which these trophies are compared.
I take my length and girth measurements while they're in the water. I use a pliable plastic sewing tape measure. It even floats. Girth is taken at the fattest point. ie: My 4th of Jul ski: 42"x20"
Also, vertical holds can be hard on fish. Their jaws, gills and lips are not designed to support their body weight. A horizontal hold with both hands holding and keeping the fish under control for the few seconds it takes for a good pic is about as good as you can be with them. If you'll notice my semi-vertical hold: It's actually at a pretty good angle with my other hand under it for support and control.
Control is also important since a hard shake could take them right out of your hand and serious injury could occur to you and most deffinitely to the fish as it lands on everything in the boat.
The only ones I weigh are if it looks close to a record(which will be CPR'd)and then it's weighed in the net for support then I can subtract the weight of the net later.
Didn't mean to get off track. Hope it helps Marc.

Thanks for the insight. I have never fished for Muskies, but what you say makes perfectly good sense. When I get a sizable trout netted, I weight the fish in the net also. I agree, it is much easier on the fish.:thumright

If you know the length and girth, you can calculate the fish's weight. According to the formula Length X Girth X Girth / 800, Mark's 42" x 20" fish weighed about 21 lbs.

Mark,

Great explanation. It is very important that we take care of this "resource" properly. If we wish to continue to have a great fishery in the future we must take care of what we have today.