An Agent 86 kind of morning

[Roccus7]

The Admiral said she'd like to have some Suzuki Sashimi tomorrow night, so I made a long run to a good mid-ebb spot with a good chance of landing a slot fish. Had a horrible scare when my popper on the first cast was crashed, but no hookup. "Here we go, a 1st Cast Curse". Fished that drift for 2 additional drifts with nothing, so I was really starting to panic that Monsieur LePew was going to make an appearance.

Went over to Drift 2 and after a few more missed hits, I hookup and boated a "close, but no cigar" 27.5" fish. Action slowed so I went to Drift 3 and quickly boated a 23" fish. Went back up on the drift and hooked what I was sure was dinner, but was surprised when I netted a 27" fish, who fought way above her pay grade. Will have to up my game tomorrow morning...

Oh well:

 

[longcast]

 

[hartattack]

Do u know if Maine allows u to 'pinch an inch'? Some Atlantic states (not just NJ) allow this:
Pinch the tail together and measure from the closed mouth to the end of the pinched tail. Make sure the tail is stretched out as far as possible when you pinch it together, see the image for guidance. This is a straight line measure so it is recommended to use a measuring board or lay the tape on the ground. Do not measure along the body of the fish, the curve will skew the actual length.

 

[Roccus7]

Do u know if Maine allows u to 'pinch an inch'? Some Atlantic states (not just NJ) allow this:
Pinch the tail together and measure from the closed mouth to the end of the pinched tail. Make sure the tail is stretched out as far as possible when you pinch it together, see the image for guidance. This is a straight line measure so it is recommended to use a measuring board or lay the tape on the ground. Do not measure along the body of the fish, the curve will skew the actual length.

Yes, Maine instructs anglers to "Pinch", something I routinely do. BTW, there's NFW it adds a full inch, just ~0.5" on fish at either end of the current, restricted slot. I also pinch when I'm looming against an "Over", so I'm 100% compliant.

On 27.5" fish, I'm often tempted to step on them, but I relent. The best "stretching" I've heard of is a trick that certain commercial tuna fishermen make, taking their "Close" fish and using their gin pole as a Medieval Dungeon Rack to stretch out a good 2-3" to legit size.

 

[george]

On 27.5" fish, I'm often tempted to step on them, but I relent.

Good thing! You' re killing them all as it is!