Properly holding a fish

[gshaw]

I know the best thing is to minimize a fish's time out of the water, but in holding a fish for a photo, what do you all think is the best way to grip/hold?

Under the jaw/gillplate for the lunkers? Vertical, horizontal? Does the "by the lip" method fly for smaller, non-toothed fish in your opinions?

[riverrat56]

I think that for big fish, under the gill plate, and then supporting the fish with your hand and in a horizonatal hold is the best. For Crappies I will hold them by the mouth vertically, but usually I keep those crappies to eat, so the damage factor is kind of irrelivant.

[Lunker]

With bass and toothless fish I hold them by the lip and vertical. I cringe when I see people holding them by the lip only horizontally, the jaw gets so torqued. If I hold horizontally I support the belly.(example in pic to left)

With big fish I do under the jaw/gill plate VERY carefully and try and support the belly. That's another thing that bothers me is when I see 50" muskies being held by just the gill plate area, cause it always looks like somethings about to tear. And that is a delicate area.

[gshaw]

So then my next question is related, and has to do with a scale i just purchased. I got one that goes up to 28lbs. and the interface is simply a metal 3/4in. square-ish "U" shaped hook. If i were to weigh a fish - any fish - where do i hook this hook to without ripping or tearing any fish parts?

[msm1018]

Quote:

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So then my next question is related, and has to do with a scale i just purchased. I got one that goes up to 28lbs. and the interface is simply a metal 3/4in. square-ish "U" shaped hook. If i were to weigh a fish - any fish - where do i hook this hook to without ripping or tearing any fish parts?

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for smaller fish it is ok to go by the gill plate to weigh them otherwise for larger fish (4-5lb or more) get a bag and tare the scale with the bag and then put the fish in it to get the wieght. If you hold a big fish verticle it is like holding a human upside-down it is a big strain on their organs.

[Dan Thiem]

Maybe put the fish in a Walmart bag and weight it by the handle of the bag.

[cabin boy]

Use a tape measure and simply measure the monster in inches.

[fishermn]

I generally weigh them in the net (if a net was used), and deduct the net's weight out of the total.