How to Measure Saltwater Fish

Most finfish size limit regulations of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) use either Fork Length or Total Length.

These measurement methods provide a consistent, well defined measurement technique. These methods encourage angler compliance with fishery management regulations.

For more information please visit the Fish Length Measurement FAQs.
Watch a Public Service Announcement about Measuring Fish. (wmv 1MB)

Total Length Measurement
Total Length is now measured from the most forward point of the head, with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Fork Length Measurement
Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail.

How to rig a Duster with Stingers
for King & Spanish Mackerel

Rigging supplies:
You will need the following materials from your local tackle shop to make the rigs mentioned above:
Heavy Duty Rigging Pliers
#4 4X Strong Bronze Laser Sharpened Treble Hooks
1/0 Heavy Duty Bronze Live Bait Hooks
33 to 70 Pound Single Strand Stainless Steel Wire
Dusters

Three advantages to this rig are:
1) They are more colorful and sometimes appear to be more effective attracting fish.
2) The duster helps conceal the live/dead bait hook.
3) The duster helps cover the bait's mouth subsequently keeping them from creating drag and helps the bait troll true (no spin).

1. Roll off 10" of steel wire. Attach a treble hook to each end of the wire using a haywire twist. This should result in two treble hook joined with 6" of wire between them.
2. Cut off 10" of steel wire again and attach a 1/0 live bait hook to one end using a Haywire Twist. Now put the other end of the wire through the eye of one of the treble hooks and attach it using a Haywire Twist. You should now have a live bait hook attached to a treble hook with 6" of wire separating them and another 6" of wire followed by another treble hook.
3. Now roll off 4' of wire. Run one end of the wire through the eye of the live bait hook and attach it using a Haywire Twist. Now slide the duster down the head leader.
4. Next Run one end of the wire through the eye of a dark colored swivel and attach it using a Haywire Twist

Notes:

1. Weighted dusters are used to troll the bait deeper in the water, and usually used when troll speeds are 3.5-5 knots. For Kayak use this rig may be configured with a float to suspend the bait in the water column

2. The suggested lengths of the leader should be adjusted to your personal preference. You may need to adjust the length of leader between hooks based on the size of you baits. Smaller baits may require shorter leader length between the hooks. The second "stinger hook" should be less than 6" behind the tail of the bait. Also the length of the head leader may be adjusted for personal preference, we find that 4ft allows enough room to keep the mono away from the fish's fins but yet is still short enough that fish do not have to be wired to the boat before being gaffed.

3. Hooking the baits (dead or live) through the nose with the live bait hook look more natural when hooked this way. I usually hook mine from under the chin up through the nose and it will help keep the mouth closed but it is critical to hook centerline so the fish will pull without spinning.

Haywire Twist

Thread on your hook, ring or swivel and make a loop in the wire, holding tag and main strand apart with thumb and finger.

Then rotate the loop so that a twist forms

Complete four or five twists then bend the tag back to make a sharp, right angle bend.

This helps prevent the twists springing apart and enables you to begin the next step more easily.

Rotate the wire loop as before, this time guiding the tag into a series of tight rolls around the main strand or standing part.

Having completed up to half a dozen tight rolls, make a right–angle bend in the tag to form a crank–handle.

Holding the barrel–roll firmly between thumb and finger, rotate the crank–handle until the tag snaps off flush with the barrel–rolls.

Notes: