Fish Size Definitions

[bassmaster]

Me....Im new at fishing...
I have never caught a keeper.
so any thing over 15" IS A TROPHY!
Bill, Hi, I was wondering. If You could Help Me get some Big Fish
This is all I can catch.....

[bassmaster]

and Look it Bit My finger......

[bassmaster]

trophy

[bassmaster]

schoolie.....

[bassmaster]

twinkie

[bassmaster]

nice fish

[bassmaster]

Blue fish

[bassmaster]

Yup Bloo got Me pegged, and Jenn Ya aint a looser....
I killed all of those fish cept for that first pic
#50 Ya if I didnt wait 6 hours.
ahhhhhh there only fish anyway,
Let have fun....
its nice to target big fish, but I like one after another.
The Cape has been Tuff fishing,I aint had a 40 or 50 fish night in 2 weeks on a charter and use to have them all the time, Man this Year is screwy
I know where I will B this weekend
A John, How did Ya do????
I wanted to B there But 2 of My buddys conned Me into going elsewhere it was a rag a thon on Me.
Ouch......
Gimmi a ice pic and a #50
actually I think I would bring it Home, But I dont know I get off the wall some times and a buddy and a pic May do the trick...
Ya Rite, Im Pigalistic...........

[bassmaster]

Im possessed Look at the eyes........

[bassmaster]

Dude U have no idea how many hard core guys are out here.
who gives a who started fishing in the 90s
I started at age 2 so....
Man U got to lightn up
Ya i got "die"vorsed over fish....
in the 90s bass sold for crap.....

[bassmaster]

Bloo. I love the fart thing and U r a star

[schoolie monster]

Glad there are people around to tell me how I should fish, and what type of fishing is OK... and what a "good" fish is.

DaveK, you asked the perfect question... why do you (we) fish?

Some people on this board fish for fun, sport, relaxation... some people take fishing and more importantly, themselves way too seriously.

Fishing is something we can all participate at our own level. Sure, I'll make fun of a clam dunkin' tourist, or someone fishing with their spinning reel upside down, but its for fun. We all have our own "Goals"...

For someone to judge me for fishing the way I enjoy, or calling a fish "nice" when I enjoyed catching it... I got some four letter words for ya. If I'm targeting schoolies because I'd rather catch a bunch of fish, rather than fishing at night for a chance at some bigger fish, hey if is ok with me, than it ought to be ok with you. I don't have to fish up to your standards.

Maybe there are reasons someone doesn't want to stay out all night. Maybe there are reasons someone doesn't buy a bigger boat and troll or baitfish offshore. Personally, I have a family and a house and a career... I have to be available to all those things... and I have time and financial responsiblities to all those things.

Fishing is a huge part of me, and always has been, so I will find a way to find a way to balance it in as best as I can.

And from my perspective, I like active fishing, casting artificial lures and catching alot fish. I don't enjoy trolling as much, I don't enjoy fishing bait as much. Does that make me right? NO.

And if tomorrow, I want to go out and sling some eels and enjoy a cool, quiet night under the stars, have I become a better fisherman or a better person? Give me a f'n break.

And a nice fish is often determined by expectations... if I get a 32" fish while chasin' some schoolies, its a nice fish. If I get the same fish at night casting eels, its not so nice.

The point of the original question is valid. Like any sport, you have to have ways of judging yourself against others. And for reporting purposes (i.e. the Fisherman), certainly there needs to be some generally accepted size classification.

I'll certainly get very excited about getting a big fish. And I know what a big fish is... 28lbs. is not a trophy fish. If you want to hack on the Fisherman for saying a 28lber is a trophy, fine.

But at the point that someone criticizes others for posting reports or pics of fish they are proud off, or fish they enjoyed... they have crossed the line.

e-lit-ism n

the belief that some people or things are inherently superior to others and deserve preeminence, preferential treatment, or higher rewards because of their superiority

[schoolie monster]

Bill, it wasn't "only" directed at you. A couple posts mentioned being annoyed with people describing fish in inches, I assumed that meant that inches were too small a measurement... and I don't have a problem with your definition of a big fish... that's your opinion and I respect it. I don't disagree with your trophy definitions, but you also have a way of belittling other people's catches.

And we all know you have a 50 and that's great. But not all of us give a crap whether you have one or if we ever get one. Its a great fish, one that you should be proud of... I hope I get a 50 some day, but it also doesn't drive me at all. If it comes, it comes. I won't feel empty inside if I never get it.

But dude, when you say "Done right" and "Saltwater Angler's are drawn by the large fish" and similar statements, you are suggesting that your way is the right way and the only way.

It often sounds like you are saying that we should do it that way or not bother... just as you have. That, I disagree with.

I know you are just giving an example, but you can't tell me you really think that catching a bluegill is the same as catching 5-15lb fish. There's a big difference. And you're right, the lure of big fish is huge, it that lure still exists for me, even if I'm usually targeting active schoolies. But its not the only reason to fish and whether you mean it or not, you often come across as saying, "catch big fish, or don't waste your time"... and you aren't the only one.

And I would never suggest that I'm the only one making sacrifices... that's ridiculous and its ridiculous for you to suggest that's what I meant.

This has come up numerous times and I'm only pointing out that there are alot of ways to enjoy fishing and alot of reasons why someone may need to take advantage of the opportunities they have.

Alright, if this doesn't make sense, I'll elaborate tomorrow, gotta run.

[schoolie monster]

Bill, you are absolutely right, we have different ways to enjoy the same sport. That's why fishing is so cool.

I like chasin' large too, I just happen to have a new boat and I've fallen in love with it a bit... in the fall and next season, I'll probably balance things out a bit more. But the point is that however you or I or anyone else want to enjoy it, night or day, big or small, catch or release (within the laws), its OK.

If we all did the same thing, the beach would be overrun.

Bloo, you are dead on... I fish for me, my relaxation, my escape, to get outside and on the water... sometimes I just like a nice walk on the beach or a boat ride... its just my thing. On a trout stream, on a remote canadian lake in the fall, on the beach or in the boat... and even taking my daughter to the pond for sunnies. Sometimes I like to fish with others, mostly I fish by myself.

There are people that fish because they think it makes them cool, a rugged outdoorsmen, or whatever. Ain't me, been doin' it my whole life.

And the hard-core thing is great, I don't know, I launched at 4am or been on the road to a surf spot about every day I've been off since April... sometimes after fishing the night before. This past weekend was the first time this year I wasn't flippin' out about my next trip out.

But that's about as far as I care to take it. I don't see getting divorced over it or losing your job or house as a badge of honor.

Bill, I applaud you for making that change... family is most important, but I'm sure there's still room in your life for getting out there.

Saltheart, you shouldn't be getting involved in a thread like this, shame on you. Just read the one's with "smily faces" on them You are on a "no tweaking" diet.

[Jenn]

....if I want to eat fish I'll buy it at the grocery store or fish market. That is much cleaner for me, easier, and let's the fish I catch go free.

I am going to chime in on this one.....ok so it lets the fish you catch go free.....great! so if you want fish...go ahead and buy it in the store cleaner easier NASTIER...not nearly as fresh...I doubt you ever worked in the seafood industry at alllllllll..........oh and not to mention all that by catch that cant be legally kept....OOOPS! dead...over the side...wasted.....

I am a looser and cant catch fish....once in a while I do...and if its legal I keep it and eat it.....you bet yer arse! (Bloo me hungry now too... )

If I am gonna eat fish at least I have a better feeling inside knowing I killed that one fish to get two fillets and not 15 or twenty for the same amount......

BM....I hope you released all those fish man.......

I better stop now before I get carried away....

is it time to bring out the dead horse????

opps said I would stop...goodbye...

[Jenn]

Ya Rite, Im Pigalistic...........

what a pig!!!!!!!!!

[Jenn]

getting me out of the house and into the surf with a better ending to my "crabby" day...

poop.... have we been having the same week>>>> me crabby lately too...and I gettin to fired up about stupid crap!
I get out tommoroow nite.....to end my crappy/crabby week....

and ya know what????? I am not going to think about how awesome a 50# would be.....just how aewsome it is to be fishin.....and I am not gonna care either way......sure sometimes I get frustrated if I am not catchin.....but I am not going to lie or stress about it.......not gonna think about how someone is gonna feel if I keep a 34' (uh...whats that in pounds i dunno) for the supper table........as a matter of fact...I am not going to think aboput a damn thing!!!!! THATS why I do it! hey some people go to church and that is there religion....there focus and direction. Fishing (especially THIS year) is it for me......need answers??? relate anything to fishing and see what you come up with!!!

although I am no "pro" I have fished with quite a few great people (freshwater/saltwater/shore/boat) doesnt matter......I can honestly say I have respect for most of these people (maybe because we share common interests etc???) on rare occasion some knucklehead has spoiled it for me.........on rarer occasion I have been blessed enough to witness true serenity !!!!!!...and hope I will get there some day!!!!

everyone good luck fishin!!!!!but most importantly......have fun....

[JohnR]

I'm seeing a lot of different bass & blue size definitions getting tossed around and I don't want to seem like an Arse, but let's have a discussion on what terms apply to what sized fish, eh ? If I'm suffering from Optical Rectumistis, please let me know....

I saw on a magazine the other day (or the Fisherman, I don't recall), someone calling a 28 pound striped bass a "Trophy" Fish. Anyone agree with that?

Now I like all kinds of fish of all sizes but I consider "Trophy" to be in the upper reaches of the size classes available to a certain species. A true 20 pound Blue has GOT to be a "Trophy" fish, right? A 12 pound Bonito or a 12# Tog - those are trophy fish too.

So let's work on a couple fish size classes -

I've always thought of Trophy bass being over 40 pounds, some consider over 50 on normal tackle, whereas 35 pounds might qualify for the shore fly.

Cows, 30#s and over, Teen fish - self explanatory....

snapper, harbor, tailor, gator....

flatties & doormats....

I'd go into more but gotta get to work

[JohnR]

Bill - not everyone is going to keep a 50, probably a few that have already got one will and the odd person that hasn't might release on. Me? I'd probably keep it 90% certain of that... Otherwise, I'd say 85% are going to keep a 50 and most of them will be paraded around - I know 2 or 3 shops I'll bring my first shore caught 50 to (IF, I ever get one
...

Homerun - I gotta disagree on a lot of what you are saying - for schoolies, I'll run barbless but it's all barbed when I'm chasing bigger stuff, especially from shore. Maybe I'd think differently if I could chase the fish in a boat but if I'm on the beach or rockpile, there's a barb. And yes, I use heavier gear to get them in and turned around quick. I also disagree that the people that are worried if they'll get another one are the only ones that will keep a fish. There is a lot to be said about C&R and I do that 98% on keepers but I do occasionally keep a fish. And I know that the rare bass that I keep for the grille is fresh, cleaned right & prepared right. I'm much more confident in the quality of a bass I catch than one from the market...

Oh and 20# Big Game Green. Hey Bill, since when is 20# line "Heavy" when fishing the rocks? That's what you use 90% of the time anyway, right?

BM, when your middle finger is bitten and left exposed, infection will cause it to stay stuck up - Make sure you clean it on a diseased bass

[JohnR]

IRL - you wouldn't keep a 50?

Bill - no, I'm pretty sure I would keep it but I don't "know" until then, there may be other factors involved. I probably would'nt lug one over 2 miles of soft sand for example - everyone would be posting about my heart attack ...

[JohnR]

Linesides, good to hear from ya! Having a good summer?

Your not going to get spanked if I didnt,Im surprised JohnR hasnt had me running to my mommy thus far!! He usually gets pissed when I voice my OPINION?? For some reason Im about the only one who cant!!

Bill -- Smileys Noted -- You're not the only one that gets leaned on to be a little civil. It's happened before with others and others I respect have asked me to lighten up in the past too. It all goes full circle. It's part of what makes this site a little more light and fun and a little less of the battle sites like WMI (which was fun while it lasted). A lot of people tell me thay like this site as a fishing site and not a "who can piss the furthest" type site. I don't want a battle site as there are enough of those around. I want this place to be an excellent source for info (not spots ), a solid community of anglers, and a place to have some fun. Not a constant testosterone charged argument. Let people go to reeltime if they want that...

All I ask is that people respect others opinions and generally not attack & hammer others (does not apply to spamming ).... If you have what you think is a better method or opinion, voice it but if someone doesn't agree, no need to circle the wagons...

Other than the higher than expected intensity, I liked this thread and think it offered a good discussion....

Hey Darkside - why don't you show a pair of stones and say who you are instead of peering around the corner of internet annonymity so you can jump out when nobody is looking... Waiting 4 months without a post to suddenly troll and pig pile is pretty lame... Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like.

[JohnR]

TL - While I agree that not everyone "needs" to keep a fifty, I disagree about bringing it to shops being purely . I have no problem with someone taking a 50 around to a few shops or taking photos and showing his friends. I also don't feel that person is "needing" to show off. It might seem like a fine line to some but somebody could be simply celebrating as opposed to just showing off.

If one of my fishing buddies got a 50 and were in the area, I'd demand they come over and let me see it (or I would go to it). Also, to bring it into a few shops, no big deal. I know if I got one, there are a few shops that would want me to bring it in, not just for the promotional aspect of a 50 hanging in front of their logo but some of the shop owners I know would also take pride that a client/friend has achieved that. I know I'd want to bring it to a few shops too...

Some people might say it's a self-validation of ones skill, but it can also be one way of celebrating that fish. That's the shore angler's version of winning the superbowl...

I don't know if you look at a 50 as a goal (or if you have one or more already) but I do to an extent. Do I go out every single night hunting for that elusive fish? No, I can't. Even if I could I wouldn't go out everytime with the expressed purpose of getting a 50 - I just want to enjoy it

[LINESIDES]

Time for my beating John!!!!
About this thread!! Some of my thoughts. You folk know I don’t ring in too often, but here I go!
Bill, I like your train of thought and your perspectives on the over all sport! I like this line! I edited out what I did not agree with, through this entire thread!

Quote:
“Trust me the poor little fishy hurts just as much from being hooked with a barbless"polically correct" hook as it does with a barbed hook, the experience is just as tramatic.You think your helping the fish, fishing barbless hooks is a way for you or anyone to justify hooking the thing in the first place,makes you feel better ,
NOT the fish. I hate barbless hooks.”
Quote:
“Did you know that the current "lite tackle" mentality actually hurts the fish more!
It does, in a nut shell you are playing the fish to death, takes to long to get her in and saps the fish of to much energy and oxygen.So the ones who think they are doing good are doing more harm.”

The above, could not be truer! I know and fish with the some best eel men in the business and boatmen in my area. They have all done 50’s and have kept them. These are the people that other fishermen try to follow into the knight to try and figure out “Just what the hell these fishermen are doing to catch so many fish!"We always manage to slip away from them in the night’s darkness. As a mater of fact, it is spoken of quite frequently as a joke of sorts among these aleat, how effectively, we can slip these folks. “
“They all agree, lite tackle and Fly rods due more damage to the fish then the heavy equipment.”
“That lite tackle simply whips them!”
Quote:
I have never played a big bass more than nessasary.And most fish I caught that were not sold were imediatly tossed back,not held out of the water for 15 minutes so my friends could take pictures.Thats to long for the fish to be out of water,the angler enjoys the photo shoot more than the bass.

I believe the above statement is true also!

Quote:
Im glad you tossed your 40s back, I have tossed more than my share back also! But sorry, no 50s get to swim again that cross my line!

I hope some day you get to make this decision again, and change your mind!

Quote:
Besides, there just ain’t any big fish around anymore!

The above statement! This is where I fell you are all wrong! From what I see, this statement is made quite often. There are allot of small fish around these days. The conservation has done a great job bring them back! These smaller Fish will beat the larger fish to the food. Because of this and the amount of these small fish being taken, it appears that the large fish population has dwindled to some kind of a dangerous condition. I will tell you this! Even during what was called the great decline of the striped bass I saw no change in population or size. You just had to be a better fishing person. The skill level to take them needed to be higher. (Paying your dues time!) As they call it. You needed to put more time and thought into just what these large fish were doing. Now due to this population explosion of fish, and the amount of pressure. Allot of folks have seemed to think they have become experts in this business of taken stripers.
I can assure you this, those big fish are still around, and they are allot bigger than you think they are!!!
Quote:
“Ethical”
This means to let your keepers go, so that someone in another State below us keep’s his or her limit of fish under 26 inches!




I like this Dave!
DaveK

Why do you fish? I guess thats the real question. If you are out there to stock your freezer then so be it. if you are out there to get away from the daily grind and have fun, then thats great. There are regulations out there as to what is a keeper size fish and as much as we doubt and question these regulations they are there for a reason. I liked this post originally as I was curious as to what other people considered a trophy. Personally anything that bends my rod and makes my adrenaline rush is a trophy to me. There are days that you catch so many large to trophy size fish that you loose respect for those 34". There are other days when you are swarmed by rats that a 34" would be a welcome surprise. If you want people to adopt your morals then have a nice time and be ready to get angry and frustrated. In the mean time enjoy the water, the scenery and the company and learn to be content .

schoolie monster, Saltheart, Your threads were well put!!!

I like this comment too! I know a lot of people, that this sickness literally caused their marriages. I am glad I am not one of these people. But I do have the sickness!!!

Quote:
I wonder how many here really know what a group of old time striperholics is like?? I mean these guys got divorced over this stuff,slept in cars on the highway,took planes to block island in december at the chance for a cow, I have the same mentality,its an all encomsing addictive sport the way I did it anyway.I would drewl all day long at the prospect of a new moon and a good south west. I have fished nappatree in 20 degree below wind chills in late november at 2 am for that last bass, walking out there like a zombie.Since 1999 or so I started to say to myself, time for a break or, its off to divorce court.

That’s it! I guess that I did not, really, say any thing! It is a good thread, and every body has his or her own opinion,
Just don’t push your opinion down my throat! If I agree with it I will, and if I don’t, please respect my opinion!
I guess that’s what makes this such a great sport! When I started fishing only stripers my personal goal was to take a fish over fifteen pounds! That was what I set as my personal goal. I also planed to mount that fish when I got it. I did not mount it and I have not personally ever had any of my fish mounted! I will tell you this, when that fish gets into my boat, it will not go back!!! It will be on my wall!
Just a final note so I can take my full beating, I have in my past sold fish! I do not sell now. I have done my part in conservation over the years. I have done my share of tagging them, only to have this information used against us by some one sitting behind a desk thinking what they think is the right thing for the fish! I kiss all my large fish between their eyes; I look them in their eye and say to them, You must be more careful the next time, God speed!
P.S. John keep up the great job you are doing1 I think of you often and you are in the back my head. Read what you will into this!
Later!

[mikecc]

this is what we call trophy fish on avrage that come in the shop
Striped Bass 40lb
Blue fish 20lb
Fluke 7-1/2lb
tautog 13lb
scup 2-1/2lb
flounder 4lb
sea bass 4lb
Lg mouth bass 8lb
Pickerel 5lb

[ragfly]

It all depends on your prospective. If you fish for stripers once or twice a year they would probably call it a trophy. For me........living up here in Maine I consider any fish over 40 inches (not pounds) a LARGE, but not a trophy. A trophy to me would be 50 inches, for which I am still searching.

[ragfly]

I release all my big fish. I do keep a small one once in awhile to eat.

[Saltheart]

Most imporant...enjoy your time fishing.
Second most important.....fish with friends and enjoy being with them


Beyond that , its all self defined. If you are a commercial pinhooker and get excited about a 3 foot fish , you probably have your sites set too low. If you have kids who occupy all your time and get to fish 4 times a year , a fish big enough to take home and grill may be the high point of your season.


For the top guys , I undersatnd they want recognition as a top fisherman. But before anyone gets carried away , remember that Stetzko got more fish over 40 pounds in a night than almost anyone I know has in their lifetime. He's always ready to help someone with less skills get hooked up . DZ has umpteen 50's. He'll talk to you about where and when and how and help anybody from beginner to expert but seldom does he talk about the 50's unless asked specifically.

We recreational fisherman cannot even touch the size and numbers of fish the guys "in the business" get. No little leaguer can hit a ball like Sammy Sossa but does he have a right to be proud if he gets a hit in his little league game Sat morning ...hell yeah!!

As far as the fisherman calling a 28 pounder a trophy , well ....maybe they knew the guy and its his first good fish. Nothing wrong with patting a buddy on the back. Take it for what its worth. I once read in the fisherman that to get to the Narrow river you should park at Scarborough and walk along the beach to the left!!

So anyway , remember to enjoy your time on the water. Do it with friends and enjoy your time with them. If by your standards you catch a "big fish" , tell your friends who care about it. They will share your joy.

[Saltheart]

Good Luck at Fisher's Island Bill. Do you remember way back (97 or so) when Carl from CT was going to drop some of us off out there and pick us up in the morn. I always regret that that didn't materialize.
Anchored there often sailing from Newport to New Haven and been to Silver Eel Pond (?) when in my twenties but never fished it.
Keep us posted how you do. You couldn't be going with a better Captain!

Everyone , lets try to stay positive here!! remember , first and formost , at Striped-Bass we are "nice people who like to fish".

[Slipknot]

Nice mackeral BM

A trophy to me would be any bass over 79 pounds.

[Slipknot]

Originally posted by Bill




There aint a guy or gal here that would throw back a 50lb fish from the beach! Not one!! I would bet my life on it!! Especially if its your first (and most likely ONLY one you will ever see in your lifetime) Thats the mark an angler fishes his whole life for.
So, I say horsecrap, that fish would be at every tackle shop in one could get too!!

And you know what?? There aint nothing at all wrong with that!!

Bill, You are wrong about that, but that is just your opinion I understand. There was one angler that I know of that released a 50 from the surf, and it was his first, His picture is on the front page of this website. God rest his soul