where could I get a descent bump board for a low price?

[esoxhunter11]

They seem pretty expensive at most shops I have been to.

[Yooperguy]

Why do you need one? Just needless handling and time out of the water. Use a floating ruler.

[g_anoka]

I agree the price they want for a bump board is insane. What I did was go to my favorite store and purchased a metal yardstick, works for me, and it probably cost me about $5, not the $20 plus they wanted for a bump board in the same store.

[Nick Kuhn]

I just use some of those 56" stickers they sell, and have the $10 Fleet Farm float stick. It works well enough to get 1/2 inch measurements.

[RK]

I'll spare you all the bump board sermon and just say I hate the things and leave it at that...

Get a floating ruler, or make one from 1" PVC and a magic marker. Quick and easy in the water measurement and easier to store besides. Mine even does double duty as a storage container for 4' trolling leaders.

You can get a very good measurement with a floating stick - easily within 1/2". Honestly, if a fish is 48-1/2 or 48-3/4...nobody cares but you, and was the fish less fun to catch if you don't know to the fraction of an inch how big it was?

[JPenny]

Well said Mr. Kimm. I have no use for the darned things either. As was already mentioned, they just make for needless time out of the water resulting in more mortality. An in-water measurement is the way to go. Great idea for a storage container for longer trolling leaders too!

[MuskieJunkie]

I made a measuring board out of a 1x4 I had kicking around the garage, then used spray lacquer over the pen marks to keep them from washing off.

I also keep one of those cheap fabric measuring tapes in the boat in case I forget the board Both work well for quick in water measurements.

[Feathers Rainin]

I am interested to know how you do an in the water measurement on a big fish (45+)? No way you could accurately measure a big fish in the net no matter how big the net is. I would be concerned with either losing the fish while measuring it or an inaccurate measurement.

I like boards because they are accurate and the good ones protect the slime on a fish. You can get a fish on the board, up for a picture and back in the water in less than 30 seconds easy which should not cause fish mortality assuming you are not fishing in too warm of water. Most serious musky fisherman I know own boards. You also need one for most tourneys.

They are not cheap but is anything in musky fishing cheap? If you want to save money make one. There are lots of plans online.

[nocturnalmotors]

rapala 60 magnum folding ruler.

http://www.rapala.com/RMFR/RMFR,default,pd.html

[MuskieFever]

Making one is a good idea but yes, tournaments like bump boards.

[dan z]

I have the floating stick and wish I could use it more often. I like the fact that you don't need to even touch the fish.

[esoxhunter11]

Okay guys, I get the fact that the less handling the better. Ever since I was a kid, before musky fishing really took off, I have always practice catch and release(selective harvest on certain species). There is no bigger advocate for it, but it is getting to the point where muskie fisherman are going to start fishing without hooks, just see the fish from a distance and thats good enough.

Now if I am going to spend that much time and money, there has to be something, or some record of the fish to be proud of. I truly believe in a picture and accurate measurement. Now everyone has to use their judgement on how the fish is hooked, water temp etc. Does anyone know how fragile musky or big northern pike is. I wonder if the dnr has tagged a fish after it was caught and kept out the water for a certain time frame, and then tract it to see if it survived. I would like to see some money from muskies inc or another foundation go towards catch and release research, so that their is good information on how to properly catch and release fish. What works and what will cause mortality.

[smeese]

Sorry it is so hard to get a answer to a simple question. If you want to fish a tourney the only thing that will count is the official ones. If it is just for personal use I suggest the rapala folding one, and a fabric one for girth. If you just want one for personal use, A sticker one on a piece of plexiglass, or make one from a PVC board used for weather proof decking. Just some Ideas. I second catch and release research!

[MuskieFever]

Getting mighty off topic.

[h8go4s]

Getting mighty off topic.

Quite unusual for that to happen.

[MSRiverdog]

I'm biased. One of SH's 20's on an MSRD board.

[Yooperguy]

Well if it matters THAT much why not just wiegh it in the net, would be faster and more telling that length and girth. What happens if a fish goes nuts on the board and does damage to its self. Still don't get how hard a floating ruler is to use, I've measured hundreds of fish with it and never feel like I've ever ruined my fishing experience by missing a 1/4 of an inch.

[esoxhunter11]

I have never used a floating ruler, they probably are easy. I think it would be tough to get within a 1/4", especially fish over 46". Maybe within an inch if you are lucky. If they are that accurate then maybe that is the way to go.

Has anyone tried a floating ruler vs. bump board on the same fish? And how do they compare? I suppose you would have to use the floating ruler first than bump board, which would be kind of tough.

[Nick Kuhn]

In the water they are accurate to about a half inch, unless you have a really lively fish. Most fish will hold still for the 10 seconds or so it takes to measure. You can roll them on their side and measure every bit as well as in the boat, it just takes a second set of hands most times.

[BoxMN]

Sharpie on the outside of your hull, measured with a tape in 1/2" increments, with numbers upside down so you can read easily. lust above waterline when you are leaning over. Works great. My bro put it 40" out to 60", he is optimistic