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Beginning March 25th with the NFGFC Keaton Beach tournament all tournament fish will be measured using the newly adopted FWC rules. The rules go into effect July 1,2006. NFGFC will use the interim to adapt to the new procedure.
All "flat tailed" fish will be measured with the head firmly against the end of the ruler(Golden Rule type) and the tail squeezed or pinched to determine overall lenght.
This method will allow for fish on the short end of the rule to be legal. It will also allow for fish on the long end to become illegal.
Go to http://www.myfwc.com for details.
All tournament fishermen are advised to purchase a Golden Rule type measuring stick and also calibrate it to the club ruler. They do not all measure the same. Know how yours measures as compared to the tournament ruler.

I might express caution that the NFGFC might incorporate that measuring methodology, because the FWC has not, not until July 1, 2006....If you catch say a 14.5" trout that will measure 15" with a pinched tail...Until July 1, 2006 that is a illegal fish.

This new ruling only means we can keep smaller fish and have to throw back bigger fish.....What's the benefit

I feel if you say that the future measuring is legal, you will be condoning illegal activity until July 1, 2006.

Appreciate and look forward to your response, TD

Illegal is a technicality. At present any given FWC officer measures fish differently,including various types of measuring devices eg. tapes,sticks,rulers etc.
If questioned between now and July1,2006 I will quickly remind the officer that the prescribed measurement as of July 1 is being utilized. That type of measurement is now being used by some officers. It may be up to us the fishermen to educate the officers who currently use their own method.
Point being uniformity, whether it be now or 5 months from now.
I don't believe we can be faulted for conforming to a law before it becomes official nor do I believe we can be faulted for uniformity.
Personally,I care nothing about fish on the short end of the stick. Consequentially,if a long end puts me over I will release the fish. To me, other than tournaments I care more for catching than I do keeping.

I agree....I was more concerned about others...Legal is legal...But if I have four 19 7/8" trout and you tell me there illegal before July 1, 2006...somebodies not gonna be a happy camper...It would be the same scenario yesterday if you had instituted that ruling yesterday...Illegal fish for NFGFC tournament, but legal fish per the FWC rules and regulations until July 1, 2006.

All I see is more confusion and possible heart burn until July 1, but you have rule 24. I have the right to state my opinion and thinking about bringing up rule 20 and requesting a ruling

14. Only fish of legal harvest size according to Florida law may be presented for weight.

Chalk wrote:

14. Only fish of legal harvest size according to Florida law may be presented for weight.

The fact that FWC is adopting the measurement technique 7-1 is because of so many discrepancies and interpretations being used now. This method provides uniformity. Like it or not 7-1-06 all non-forked tail fish both freshwater and saltwater will adhere to this method. Freshwater fish are currently measured this way.
Why shouldn't we as law abiding saltwater fishing club members promote this in the interim?
I personally like the existing although contrary method. It gives me the opportunity to argue with a fencepost if the need arise.
Just think of the possibilities. You can claim you caught a lot more 20" and over fish by pinching their tail.

Jumptrout51 wrote:Why shouldn't we as law abiding saltwater fishing club members promote this in the interim?

Because until July 1, 2006 anyone that brings in a 14.5" unpinched tail fish to the scale is illegal and more than one 19.5" trout will be illegal as well and on paper you are not law abiding.

But I guess nobody else cares, so I'll shut up...

I care, and you both are doing an excellent job of stating how you both feel so I think that in the interest of the fishing club, you two should keep trying to sort this out.

Chalk wrote:

Jumptrout51 wrote:Why shouldn't we as law abiding saltwater fishing club members promote this in the interim?

Because until July 1, 2006 anyone that brings in a 14.5" unpinched tail fish to the scale is illegal and more than one 19.5" trout will be illegal as well and on paper you are not law abiding.

But I guess nobody else cares, so I'll shut up...

I am suggesting that at the scale they will all be pinched. Therefore, if you pinch it on the boat and it remains legal,then,bring it to the scale because it will be pinched again. If the tournament ruler deems it legal it will be legal.
We are talking about fish that are 15 to 20 AFTER being pinched.
P.S. All this started after suggestions to me from LAW ABIDDING club members. I just happened to agree with them and started the ball rolling. I would appreciate it if you would put this question into poll form and we will seek a consensus. I am not power hungry believe me. More so, I thought it would be somewhat innovative ,ie. first club on the block to support and conform.
What say you? POLL?

A public poll for a club rule, you'll get more votes than we have members...Go ahead and be innovative, as I will comply to whatever is decided

Your'e no fun. Don't comply. Do a poll.
Come 7-1-06 it doesn't matter anyway. Let's see what folks think as of now.

Guess its like Chalk said, if I had a 19.5 fish and the tourney director pinches and tells me its over 20, and I already have one over 20 (before 7-1) sorry, that is not the law. On the other hand, if I have to pinch to make 15, that fish is going back, just to close. There is also no guarantee, that if you pinch to make a small one legal, the man is gonna let you slide, cause you are complying with a law that is not in effect yet.

If the fish don't fit, you must acquit My opinion is that so long as it is WITHIN current law, the club makes the rules that we "as club members" follow course, I aint brought a fish in ta be measured yet neither

I'll be happy to measure a fish that is legal under any rules. I can see both of your arguments. I'm not trying to weasle out of an opinion. I just don't know what's right. It's unfortunate that the laws didn't seem to be uniform before and everything has to be changed so that average Joe can keep up with them. Looks like we need an official word from a FWC type, so if we ever had a run in with one of the officers we could say we verified it with their bossman.

If its not legal by Fl Law the day of the tourney then I wouldn't be keeping it regardless of club rules.You should measure exactly like FWC and change when they change.