If you were to have a week long C&R Tourney...

[Mike P]

You can buy a Manley spring scale that's accurate to w/in one pound for about the price of a Sebille or Beachmaster. They're so accurate that the IGFA will pre-certify one for record submission.

Two guys from different teams get assigned as partners. They can split the cost of the scale. If someone already has one, they can be checked for accuracy with a known weight at the pre-tourney gathering.

Pictures and taping can be fudged. Scales don't lie. The non-catching partner attests to the size of the other guy's fish.

I carried one with me all last October for the local Gibbs torunament. They fit easily inside a plug bag, and they don't care about getting wet, unlike many electronic digital scales.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Mike P

You can buy a Manley spring scale that's accurate to w/in one pound....

Scales don't lie. They fit easily inside a plug bag, and they don't care about getting wet, unlike many electronic digital scales.

Exactly, Mike.
Since all my experience with the Thundermist C&R was back in the 90s, we didn't have digital scales. We had Manleys verified at Nelsons (when Emilo owned it) and all the guys carried one. We all mostly fished the Back Beaches or the Canal back then so Nelsons was convenient for everyone.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Mike P

You can buy a Manley spring scale that's accurate to w/in one pound for about the price of a Sebille or Beachmaster. They're so accurate that the IGFA will pre-certify one for record submission.

Two guys from different teams get assigned as partners. They can split the cost of the scale. If someone already has one, they can be checked for accuracy with a known weight at the pre-tourney gathering.

Pictures and taping can be fudged. Scales don't lie. The non-catching partner attests to the size of the other guy's fish.

I carried one with me all last October for the local Gibbs torunament. They fit easily inside a plug bag, and they don't care about getting wet, unlike many electronic digital scales.

Only problem with that is for a big fish the simple act of weighing it might well kill it. Pics with tape measure better, but no way a fish is going back in the water in under 30 seconds if you have to lay out a tape and take a picture. Date/time stamp on the photo OR a premade tourney sign, no need for both, just keeps the fish out of the water longer. Some people will always try and cheat even if its just for bragging rights.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Only problem with that is for a big fish the simple act of weighing it might well kill it. Pics with tape measure better, but no way a fish is going back in the water in under 30 seconds if you have to lay out a tape and take a picture. Date/time stamp on the photo OR a premade tourney sign, no need for both, just keeps the fish out of the water longer. Some people will always try and cheat even if its just for bragging rights.

You'll kill more fish #^&#^&#^&#^&ing around with tape measures, cameras, and some kind of identifiable object like a playing card to validate the date.

Fish laid on rocks will thrash and lose scales. Sometimes they'll flop while someone's reaching for the tape, camera or identifier and wedge between the rocks, and big fish are a bitch to get out of the rocks. Fish laid on the sand will thrash and lose much of their slime that protects them against parasites and infections. I think that if you learn how to correctly place a scale inside of a fish's jaw, and how to avoid touching the gills doing it, you'll kill far fewer fish than having them out of the water for an extended period while measuring and photographing them. Most people land a big bass that way anyway--no one who's experienced tries to lift a fish over 30 lbs. by lipping it.

If you've ever tried to remove a hook buried in a bass' jawbone, you know that their jaws are not fragile in the least

[JohnR]

First Week of May, supporting a great cause (not S-B) but, well, a great cause. I'm puting out fires at work for the moment, someone decided to run their sysvol (nerdalert) out of space by spamming the world.

Whole week, single anglers OK with photo - must promise quick release so be ready to go. Anglers fishing with another CAN honor system it if the other writes it down. Chance to win some prizes even if I need to buy them . Not biggest or most BUT each photo will count for a prize. Honor system will be key as this is supporting an honorable cause.

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Keep it up and I'll Spring Sphere your house....

Besides, I thought Spring Sphering as wore in line with Autumn Harvest Granola Costume Day? Can Cheryl Crow TP your house with single squares?
would be funny if not for - well, ACLU would sue me for anything I was about to say.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Mike P

You'll kill more fish #^&#^&#^&#^&ing around with tape measures, cameras, and some kind of identifiable object like a playing card to validate the date.

Fish laid on rocks will thrash and lose scales. Sometimes they'll flop while someone's reaching for the tape, camera or identifier and wedge between the rocks, and big fish are a bitch to get out of the rocks. Fish laid on the sand will thrash and lose much of their slime that protects them against parasites and infections. I think that if you learn how to correctly place a scale inside of a fish's jaw, and how to avoid touching the gills doing it, you'll kill far fewer fish than having them out of the water for an extended period while measuring and photographing them. Most people land a big bass that way anyway--no one who's experienced tries to lift a fish over 30 lbs. by lipping it.

If you've ever tried to remove a hook buried in a bass' jawbone, you know that their jaws are not fragile in the least

Its not a question of hurting their jaws. Hanging a big fish displaces their internal organs, often leading to death, days later.Some studies have put the death rate as high as 25%.A sling like Zimmy posted will cure the problem.Otherwise I agree, anything that delays getting the fish back in the water is not good.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Its not a question of hurting their jaws. Hanging a big fish displaces their internal organs, often leading to death, days later..

This is debatable.

What you are talking about is "isthmus injury". It has been shown to be a problem with snook, but studies in muskies have not shown an increase in mortality with weighing, even in larger fish. There is not much info one way or the other with big bass as far as I am aware. Certainly many fish that are weighed and tagged survive and are caught again.

[DZ]

Our club runs a season long C&R for the largest bass released alive. Simple rules are it must be weighed on a hand scale, witnessed by any person aged 16 or older, and released alive. No special prizes except the winner get the nicest trophy we award and the recognition of releasing a bass the size that most anglers would never consider releasing. Very prestigious award.

DZ

[Redsoxticket]

No awards gets my vote. Trophy plaque is good.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by numbskull

This is debatable.

What you are talking about is "isthmus injury". It has been shown to be a problem with snook, but studies in muskies have not shown an increase in mortality with weighing, even in larger fish. There is not much info one way or the other with big bass as far as I am aware. Certainly many fish that are weighed and tagged survive and are caught again.

Never heard it referred to as that before. But it has been demonstrated in may other species besides snook. Easy enough to avoid if you use a sling instead of holding the fish by the jaw. But you are correct in that I know of no studies that looked specifically at striped bass.

[numbskull]

These explain it

Angler Handling Techniques Will Increase Survival for All Released Game Fish

Muskie Fishing | An evaluation of the injury and short-term survival of bonefish (Albula spp.) as influenced by a mechanical lip-gripping device used by recreational anglers

[Mr. Sandman]

We have an inter-island C&R tournament that in my view has resulted in a lot of fun, great memories, good times and new lasting friendships.
The "island cup" is a MV vs ACK C&R surf fishing event. It alternates islands each year as to its location and lasts a 3 day weekend (F/S/S). Each team angler fishes with someone on the other team. Largest blue/bass in lbs is noted for every angler (bogagrip) as witnessed by the guy in the other team. In the end all the weights are combined for each team. the team with the largest combined total wins the cup. (we have it this year after two painful losses.) The event begins and ends with a gathering at a restaurant or the anglers club. a great time to renew and meet new friends. Each angler for the hosting team houses their guest angler in their home for the weekend. Again, this alternates each year. It is something I look forward to each year. It is a lot of fun, I have met some wonderful people and some have become very good friends. The stories everyone has make it a very memorable.

Simple, no big money involved, great friends, just fishermen one weekend. A real mix of people from all walks of life with the common bond of fishing. Without a doubt one of the highlights of every summer for me. This is my kind of tournament.