Fish Size Definitions - Page 2 - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Mr. Sandman · 07-16-2002, 08:16 AM

I agree, I saw that picture in the fisherman as well. (a week or two ago?) I even mumbled something to my wife about it, she gave me the...ask me if I care...look. I looked at the picture and said, nice fish but I would not have it mounted. To me a trophy fish is one that you would have mounted as a real trophy...a once in a lifetime catch, something over 50 for sure. Cows to me are bass over 40 lbs. The 20-40 range I deem as large. I suppose everyone has their own terminology, and if you caught a 40 lber on a fly rod that could be considered a trophy as well. I don't take anything away from a 28 lb striper...it is a good size fish but for it to be a trophy (in my eyes anyway) it would have to be 2X as big.

That said, I am guilty of using the term "doormats" loosely...I think a doormat is a fluke > 10 lbs but since they are so damn rare I have started calling fluke > 6lb doormats.

Squid kids Dad · 07-17-2002, 09:13 PM

Bloo............I have been reading this thread for a couple days now..I am mostly a "lurker".....But each time I have looked at this thread it got my blood running......Your response has echoed my feelings by far....I love fishing for the sheer love of fishing...wether it be chunking,plugging ect...Like clammer says..enjoy what you have....
Mike

bloocrab · 07-16-2002, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04
Ethical Answer....What's the point....if I want to eat fish I'll buy it at the grocery store or fish market. That is much cleaner for me, easier..

..."EASIER" yeah,...but "cleaner"......your nutz!!!

Just because your too lazy to undress and clean a fish doesn't give you the right to call anyone unethical. I love to eat FISH...and what would I rather have...fresh or store bought?...Well let me think about that for a second...

DUH!!...gee I think I'd rather have store bought...because I didn't have to kill it and clean it. Good thing I don't have to kill any cows..or I wouldn't eat meat either, I'd just lasso them and let them go....

Silly I tell ya.....just plain Silly!!!

...some people are in it just for the sport (yes, I BELIEVE it is a sport)...but some, including myself...enjoy the taste of a nice fresh piece of B-ass...

...

..chit, now I'm hungry....

bloocrab · 07-16-2002, 11:30 PM

Jenn...

Don't let him fool you......he brings 5 sets of clothes when he goes fishing.....one fish , 5 different pictures in 5 different outfits...at five different locations....

:P

bloocrab · 07-16-2002, 11:58 PM

don't look in his eyes....

He has hypnotizing eyes.......he'll force you into giving up all your plugs!!!!.....

Stay focused......DON'T LOOK AT HIS EYES!!!!

bloocrab · 07-17-2002, 06:38 PM

Pardon me for a second....

Why do you Fish ???...(directed towards everyone, so don't anyone feel special about this...

I fish for myself, my own satisfaction, my own glorification my own fullfillment and some consumption too!!! I have never bragged about how many fish I've caught in one sitting, ...never said how big my biggest what ever was, never said how small my smallest whatever was either (unless asked)

...whether or not it meant anything to anyone...I FISH FOR ME.... not for recognition, not to be the "head honcho" at my local fishing club, ...(the quiet ones are the deadly ones anyway...yeah, just like farts

!!)... and not to try to be a star on a website, not so that people can "think" I know more than anyone else or even know what I'm doing at all...some people on here (internet in general) fish, or "say" they fish, to be some sort of "status symbol"...some people fish once a month...and make it seem like they're a "Die-hard"..why??? ...because that one night they happened to cross a 40+ # Bass and landed it??....ya know what?...screw all of ya that feel that way!!

..I'm not knocking that guy/girl who doesn't have the time/opportunity to fish whenever he/she wants to...just don't talk to me like you stink fish everyday...your just plain "hollow" to me when you do that....I'll look at ya, smile...and never remember your name....Unfortunately, there is a lot of luck involved in fishing...The biggest "Luck" is..."being in the right spot at the right time"

...what does that really mean?...

...does that mean that you put your time in night after night with the right and wrong conditions (because the wrong conditions could be the right conditions in a different spot)...with the right offering and land a big one ..(whatever a "big one" is

)??... Or does it mean that one could venture out to a spot they heard of...cast out a chunk on a "Blue-Light" special rod...sit there 10 minutes (without knowing the tide..temperature..weather...baitfish in the area.. etc...)...and just happen to catch a 46# Striper...who has the right to say "he/she, is the better fisher?"...

NEITHER!!!...people who "gloat", float.....just like menure

I hate braggers....I hate yackers....yackity yack..yackity yack...
..sometimes I'm in the mood to share....sometimes I like to be left alone.....consider this sharing, whether you like it or not....

bloocrab · 07-17-2002, 07:33 PM

lets talk trophies.....

what is a trophy?

...8 year old winning the spelling bee..(what is a trophy?)

...12 year old in little league winning the world series...(what is a trophy?)

...17 year old winning the CYO B-Ball championships..(what is a trophy?)

..30 year old person numerous 30# fish under his belt...(what is a trophy?)

...40 year old person first week of saltwater fishing landing a 40#er...(what is a trophy?)

...40 year old person, 25 years of fishing under their belt...(what is a trophy?)

...50 year old person 30 years fishing under his belt...never landed a 40#er...(what is a trophy?)

...a baby taking her first step...(what is a trophy?)

...I give myself a "trophy" everytime I challenge myself and win. Where are these trophies I speak of.....they're in my character.

...I'm sure none of this makes sense...today hasn't been a good day. Sorry if I seem negative Saltheart and all~

...its Stress Relief Time, ...thanks for calling me on the phone Goose!

....Fish! here we come!!!!!!!!!!!

...

bloocrab · 07-18-2002, 02:18 AM

...BM, I'm a happy-go-lucky kinda guy...just ask Goose...

...I love to fish....I love to have fun....I love to make people smile or better yet laugh....and there's no stars here, as a matter of fact it was an overcast night tonight

.... and I'd like to thank Goose for getting me out of the house and into the surf with a better ending to my "crabby" day...

.... uh oh...we both have to work in ....

..3-hours!!!...sheeeesh, I'm glad I'm not a "die-hard"....

...this suckas looooong, but definately not a "trophy"

...but he IS going in my belly!!

...

bloocrab · 07-18-2002, 02:27 AM

...so how long is this "bleeder" smarty pants???

any guesses? ~

...ok.....g'nite ~

~

.....and remember fellas...

......Life's too short to be grumpy .....

...by the time you wake up, the game's over...

bloocrab · 07-18-2002, 07:56 AM

Bill.....your right, its hard to tell from a picture...(and your short on both answers)...but good guess

..and yes, definately a racer with NO belly...she must have just made a bowl-der movement while looking for crustaceons cuz she was on "E"...

...sac was empty!(where's the baitfish?)...

...let's lighten this thread up a bit- so it can be put to rest peacefully.....

...Daaaam, why am I sooooo tired??...

...."fishing is hard work", my father once said...it took me awhile to finally agree.

Age catches up with your body a lot sooner than with your mind.

Scotch Bonnet · 07-16-2002, 09:25 PM

I think the term "trophy" is relative to each angler. I agree with the sizes and terms described above and I don't think a fishing mag should call a 28# bass a trophy. They know what most anglers consider a trophy bass. But if some guy is proud of a 28#'r and wants it mounted, I think thats fine. I have a 5# largemouth (hardly considered a trophy) that I had mounted when I was 12 and it still hangs in my garage. To me it was a trophy then and I still consider it a trophy to this day. Lots of great memories and no regrets. And as far as eating the fish I catch, I enjoy the whole process from the cast to the plate.

Goose · 07-16-2002, 06:38 PM

COWS: minimum 35#............my 2 cents

thedarkside · 07-21-2002, 10:09 PM

For a guy that only has one 50 to his name, you sure do talk a lot.

Everyone misses you on the beach. Why don't you come out and play?

Bill L · 07-16-2002, 09:34 PM

I guess I'm in it for the sport-- I release 99% of my fish, and I use inches as a unit of measure because I don't carry a scale or camera. I usually measure on the rod if I'm surf casting, or with a tape in the boat. Then back they go. If I did get a truly huge fish, honestly not sure what I'd do with it -- my best fish a couple of weeks ago at 44" (and fat) was released, and I still wonder what she may have weighed - I plan to get a digital scale sooner or later.
To me, a Cow is over 40" (30# plus?), nice fish over 36" (20# range?), and all the rest are fun.
I also like fishing in the Pond or lbeach in the late season with lighter tackle, at which time they're all fun.

Bill L · 07-18-2002, 10:13 PM

tlapinski · 07-22-2002, 01:36 PM

Bill. i take personal offense to one of your statements. who are you to say that any fisherman that gets a fifty WILL keep it?!?!?

when i get a striper, i don't keep it based on its size. if it is of legal size, and not going to live, then i will keep it. when i get a fifty, i keep it, but ONLY after i do everything in my power to revive her. if she can't swim off on her own, then she will go to the cooler.

i have nothing against someone keeping their "trophy". i do have something against someone doing this for the wrong reason. nobody likes a "self proclaimed" hero! let's say a person gets a fish that they feel is a fifty. they bring it to the shop to weigh it, and it weighs over fifty pounds. good for them. but, if they feel the need to take pictures of it to show EVERYONE, take it around and show people, weigh it in at every place with a scale, then i feel they have done something wrong. that is when they atrt gloating! every one here would be happy with that fish, but if that person feels the need to show off their accomplishment, then maybe they have some wrong that runs a little deeper than we really know! perhaps they have some self esteem issues. fishing should not be for anyone but yourself. the respect of an accomplished fisherman should not be called for by that person. but, instead, given readily by one's peers!

Duke41 · 07-16-2002, 06:44 PM

As far as keeping fish I use the freezer rule. I max out at 4 dinners worth of fish for the summer and then go up to eight dinners worth for winter. I try to use constraint and not keep any fish between 32-46 inches. Larger than that I just can't help myself. Smaller than that seems okay to me for filets.

Duke41 · 07-16-2002, 08:18 PM

good one

Van · 07-16-2002, 09:01 PM

Gotta agree with Bloo on this one.
I catch plenty of fish big and small and release most.
(released a 40" today)
When the freezer is empty I might take another one. But only what I intend to eat, and over the season i don't eat it all the time anyway.
OK,,,Enuf said.

Sooooo.....
I would say to answear the original post..
30+ lbs= very nice fish
40+ lbs= trophy
50+ lbs=once in a lifetime. (your going on my wall)

Of course that is just my opinion, everyone is different, and have their own opinion of fish size and quality.

IRL · 07-17-2002, 08:09 AM

besides, there aren't any big fish anymore.

That is great reason to keep the ones you get .

IRL · 07-17-2002, 10:15 AM

I dont know but a 42.lb looked great swiming away....I can't immagine a 50 would look worse.
But..............speaking with so may diff. types of fisherman I dont know what to say but how I feel personaly.
BUT... Saying that there are no big fish left so keep one if you get one ? "bill"
thats like saying lets go shoot bald eagles isn't it
aren't many left better get em' whyle we can !!

agree?

IRL · 07-17-2002, 02:56 PM

A NICE FISH IS .................................................. ..... ANY FISH BIGGER THAN THE ONES YOUR FRIENDS GOT THAT NIGHT.

I THINK EVERYONE CAN AGREE ON THAT.

LESS FIGHT'N MORE FISHIN

DRM · 07-22-2002, 09:33 AM

I agree that many of the better fishermen probably go about their business quietly and don't participate in the internet fishing world. Numbers of 50 pounders may make you successful, but without class and professionalism you become one more jacka## with a rod and reel. Good fishermen start by being good people. They dont have to validate their success with internet stories. Some of them choose to be more vocal than others, but the way their statements are delivered say more than the actual text.

Homerun04 · 07-16-2002, 10:32 AM

Couldn't agree more......I've seen 35" bass being called "trophy" fish.

As far as I am concerned, I fish bass for length, and bluefish, tuna, and flatties for weight.

Keeps it simple...

P.S. Bass need to be 35+ lbs to be considered a "cow" in my book.

Homerun04 · 07-16-2002, 12:37 PM

Ethical Answer....

I rarely, if ever, keep a fish --- regardless of size. What's the point....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.

Actually, I LOVE setting a big fish free just knowing that the offspring it produces should yield a stronger and healthier stock for years to come.

Take all the pictures you want, take all the measurements, and mount a nice 8 1/2" x 11" picture on my "Fishing Wall of Fame" in my house.....memories taste alot better then any fish ever will......

Homerun04 · 07-16-2002, 06:01 PM

Glad to hear you'd "bet your life on it" because I have released many fish well into the 40 range. Love to see you take yourself up on your own offer.

I'll bet you also use barbed hooks, treble hooks, and the heaviest mono line you can find. Gotta love the folks that believe fishing is a contact sport.

Give it a rest pal. Only those who rarely catch fish because they don't know what they are doing are adament about keeping fish....it's because they are never quite sure if they'll ever land one again.

Homerun04 · 07-16-2002, 07:15 PM

Need I say anymore......

Bill · 07-16-2002, 05:35 PM

Speak for yur self! There is no person on earth, even the plastic flip-flop weari'n earthy crunch save a tree type,that would give anyone a hard time about keeping a 50! Ethics???

Sounds real profound to say "I would throw anything back and be happy with a picture"

I say thats Bulls#$T!! With a capitol B!!

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!!

40+lb's "Cow bass" Real nice fish"

I do agree with one other post about the "inches routine" I hate that, always talk in POUNDS! No cares about inches, its about the weight!!

48+lb's trophy

50+lbs-"HOLY GRAIL"

25lbs to 40lbs "Decent fish" "respectable fish"

15 TO 20 LBS "FUN NIGHT" Nothing to brag about but, better than schoolie size.

15 LBS AND BELOW "Rats" "School bass"

Bill · 07-16-2002, 07:11 PM

Ok here is what I think, If I have a 50 on the end of my line I want that fish GUT HOOKED!! As deep as possible and with as many barbs as is possible!

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 experiance 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 and I hate losing fish,the time for a tropy comes and you will wish you had that fish hooked in the gut!!

Yes I use heavy line, got me on that one!!

Did you know that the current "lite tackle" mentality acually 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.

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.

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!

Besides, there just aint any big fish around anymore!

Striper fishing a contact sport?? You Bet!! Done right its grueling, up all night,climbing rock piles,getting slammed by powerfull surf,etc,the chance of death at night in the surf is definatly there!! Im not talking about the dead stickers sitting in a chair tossing back a bud.

Trout fishing with a little fly rod in a catch and release area may be more the sport for you.Or try "bass master 2002" on sega,that way you never have to worry about hurting any fish!!

Happy Hunting...And remember you flamed up first!!

Bill · 07-17-2002, 05:42 AM

Well John. 20# is on the light side,but its much better than 15#

I also use a leader of either 40 or 50#test, which is as you know is 9 or 10 feet long! thats what takes the abuse.

I used to use 30# main line,I only switched for the casting distance I gained from the 20.For me,its the leader that does the work and takes the chaffing of the rocks.

I still would use 30# in breachways and when jigging in such places as gallilie.Every now and then I would use straight 40# for jigging,where distance was not important.

Hey John, in all fairness, I think your statement "I would probably keep a 50" Is off base! For sure , you would keep that fish!!

"OLD SCHOOL=BEST SCHOOL"!!