What do you all of you use to measure fish?
I’m currently still using an old one a friend of the family made out of a metal yardstick inlaid into a piece of old ipe wood…but it’s HEAVY and not forgiving on the boat for sure.
I haven’t found a solution on that front that I like either. Will be curious to see if you get some good ideas posted. I don’t like the huge DNR sticker, don’t want that slapped on the inside of the boat. I received the sea-dek ruler as a gift but it doesn’t really fit where I’d like and trimming it will look odd (and don’t want to pay $$ for a custom one). I then bought (Cabela’s) an adhesive “waterproof” measuring tape about 1" wide that I could cut to length and stick it along the edge of the front deck box. The “waterproof” numbers all smeared off during the first use. Would have been perfect for what I wanted if it was actually waterproof as labeled.
A buddy of mine took an old cooler lid that had it made into the lid with the li
nes & numbers raised up & cut it out. Glued it at the front of the boat & has been good for some years now.
I just cut off the ruler part of the DNR sticker and stick it on the boat. Very unobtrusive.
Marsha
22 Sea Hunt
I think I like the aluminum ones made by the big names, but they’re all in crazy lengths or stupid colors.
Think I’ll pose the question of designing and making a new one to my machinist/neighbor friend…
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
leadenwahboy, check out the folding rapala ruler. I have one and I was going to use it solely for yak fishing, but had the same problem you did. I didn’t want to stick a DNR sticker on my new boat. So I used the folding ruler and it fits in a storage compartment and can be deployed easily.
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
Just FYI for you guys using the DNR sticker. They do shrink over time and DNR doesn’t care if a fish measured good on it, it’s still short. I bought an aluminum one from sportsmans warehouse and keep it in a bucket under my console.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
quote:
I just cut off the ruler part of the DNR sticker and stick it on the boat. Very unobtrusive.
This, stuck along the lower edge of my console. You’d only notice it if you were looking for it.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
quote:
Originally posted by tigerfinJust FYI for you guys using the DNR sticker. They do shrink over time and DNR doesn’t care if a fish measured good on it, it’s still short.
He does the DNR sticker shrink if it is glued to the aluminum seat?
I have the DNR sticker on the aluminum bench seat, it’s functional 
. I haven’t caught a fish to measure since I purchased this boat. Maybe that’s my problem, it’s the boat. lol
2008 War Eagle 15ft
1995 Johnson 25hp
quote:
Originally posted by Sgt Shultzquote:
Originally posted by tigerfinJust FYI for you guys using the DNR sticker. They do shrink over time and DNR doesn’t care if a fish measured good on it, it’s still short.
He does the DNR sticker shrink if it is glued to the aluminum seat?
I have the DNR sticker on the aluminum bench seat, it’s functional
2008 War Eagle 15ft
1995 Johnson 25hp
Mine is glued to the bottom of the front deck, just under the forward hatch. Trust me, they are not exact and do shrink. I go by the bump board and use the sticker for a quick reference. If a fish is within a 1/2" of the limit, I’ll pull out the bump board.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Yeah, I’ve always just used the DNR sticker, until I was told by Mr. Green Jeans that mine had shrunk and my flounder was short…thankfully he was joking with me, but I measured it and sure enough…almost 1/2" short. It’s worth checking yours.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
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skill saw marks in cutting board 1/4" longer than normally targeted fish (allows for cooler shrinking)
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Amazon: Stanley 33-115 10-Foot $4.50 each - spray them good with silicon and toss when jammed up
Gator Grip Aluminum red fish ruler
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
harbor freight aluminium grey yardstick. jan
25in gator grip has been my go to!
Fishing Nerd
“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”
I used one of the plastic folding rulers,it would fit under the console,I have also used a sewing or seamstress tape. They are water proof and fold up small enough to stick in your pocket if needed., Usually kept it on the console and was easy to use and took up little space.
Check it Stick 28x6. 1/8th inch increments and easy to read.
A cloth measuring tape.I have one cut at 30". bunch it up in a tackle box it can fit anywhere.
I bought a couple of these for my boat. I have 1 at the bow at the base of the forward seating and 1 at the transom. In my opinion they look great and have been on the boat for over 2 years now.
2006 23 SeaCraft, 2008 Suzuki 250.
I marked off the handle of my dip net. Do not care about anything between the min and max lengths.
Ricky Friedenberg
Savannah, GA
2004 Sea Pro 206
1975 Mako 171 Angler