Rule ( Measuring Device ) ..

[LoneWolf]

In the rules it states no cloth/soft measures :

4) Two photos will be required per entry
a.) Photo 1: The fish must be photographed with a rule (measuring device) clearly and readable in the
       picture as well as the TI 2006 card. (no cloth/soft, home made or altered rules)
b.) Photo 2: This photo must have the angler and fish together while still out on the ice.

I allowed the entries using "soft" tape measures but from now on it will have to be hard tape measures.

[JiggerMan]

why the change this year. with not allowing soft rulers or tape measures.  I just got a brand new soft ruler and was going to use it and now have to go out and buy another ruler just for the tourny.  Why should it make a difference if the ruler is factory made and not ho-made.  If the rule is on the ice along side of the fish and not on the fish the fish will be the same size with both tapes. 

The soft rules are also more portable and easier to carry with you in a coat pocket or pants pocket.

also.... since it is in the rules that no soft rules can be used, what is the reason thatthey can not be used.


Jiggerman     

[hali-man]

Think about it, man. It's just one way to avoid arguments and cheating.
Some of the entries with cloth tapes already look questionable IMO.

[JiggerMan]

it is the same measurment weather it is a soft tape or metal one.  the only way it would be different is if the person traces the fishes body with the tape instead of putting it beside the fish.

And there are significant entries yet this year worthy enough to start any arguments.

[Squeellikeapig]

I will reply here because I can't reply to the gripes board. Nice fish everyone posted so far. Just a complaint about the cloth type sewing measuring devices. I like to see how long the fish is, not the contour of the ice plus fish measurement. Straight rules keep everyone on the same page. And shouldn't all of the tape be visible. Someone may cut the tape and slip both ends under the fish to gain an inch or two. I missed out on the tourney last year and looking forward to a great tourney this year. Sorry for gripping this early. Glad I don't have to make the decision.
Good luck everyone.
Posted after last replies:
Soft rules make the fish bigger in they measure every contour of fish if layed on top and ice if laying on ice. Would be a nightmare scaling it to be sure it is accurate.

[Squeellikeapig]

it is the same measurment weather it is a soft tape or metal one.  the only way it would be different is if the person traces the fishes body with the tape instead of putting it beside the fish.

And there are significant entries yet this year worthy enough to start any arguments.

Not all ice is flat, maybe this time of year but later on in season it will become jagged.
Try this: Put your fish on the ice with a straight rule and a cloth beside it. The measurement will not be the same. The cloth can be layed loosely hence the longer measurement. Ya cant loosely lay a straight rule.
I got mine at Princess Auto for 2.22$ Wall Mart has cheapies.

Look at the entries made already. The tape is not pulled tightly or straight. Nightmare for complaints

[LoneWolf]

It is not the same measurement be it soft or ridgid. I must  take into account all the extra fractions of an inch , etc. , that accumulate from waves, bulges, folds, etc. in soft measures. That is the reason I placed "no cloth measures" in the rules from the beginning of this season. I upgraded it to cloth/soft because an entry was made using a "soft vinyl" tape and this is the reason why. 

A simple push/pull style tape works great and you can get them anywhere and relatively inexpensive. The yellow shows up well against the ice/snow.

Slap .... I opened the Gripes Board ... sorry I forgot. 

[JiggerMan]

I will reply here because I can't reply to the gripes board. Nice fish everyone posted so far. Just a complaint about the cloth type sewing measuring devices. I like to see how long the fish is, not the contour of the ice plus fish measurement. Straight rules keep everyone on the same page. And shouldn't all of the tape be visible. Someone may cut the tape and slip both ends under the fish to gain an inch or two. I missed out on the tourney last year and looking forward to a great tourney this year. Sorry for gripping this early. Glad I don't have to make the decision.
Good luck everyone.
Posted after last replies:
Soft rules make the fish bigger in they measure every contour of fish if layed on top and ice if laying on ice. Would be a nightmare scaling it to be sure it is accurate.

i said to lay the fish beside the tape not on the tape.  big difference there.  and i said not to trace the contours of the fish.  There are also soft tapes that do lay flat to the ice (they do that if you take care of it and not crumble it up into your pocket when done with it )   

Enough with it already. ill just buy a new tape and use that.  i really dont see it making that much of a difference. 

From now i will use the gripes paige to vent about minor details such as what the tape is made of.

JiggerMan

[Squeellikeapig]

I tried to post on gripes page but it wouldn't let me earlier. I was referring to what could happen. Just look at the pics posted so far and tell me its fair? They are loose and bent making unfair length.

[JiggerMan]

Go to the Gripes page for my solution to this problem.

[perchfisher]

cmon guys give the man some slack, hes sick of being heckled about questionable entries, he has to look at all of these, and hes not getting paid! so can we use metal tape measures? i was confused about wat was going on

[hali-man]

so can we use metal tape measures? i was confused about wat was going on

From what I understand all measurements must be made with Montgomery Ward's yard-sticks.
 

[oakorchardfishking]

From what I understand all measurements must be made with Montgomery Ward's yard-sticks.
 

use the ones that have a nice bow in them too! 

[IceGeek]

Somehow I knew you would bring that UP!!!!  I went out and bought  a brand new yardstick!!!!!  You're never going to let me live that down are ya!  BTW it was an "AGWAY" yardstick!  Got the new one at wally world

[cnyfishing]

So no metal measuring tapes 

[LoneWolf]

It is not the same measurement be it soft or ridgid. I must  take into account all the extra fractions of an inch , etc. , that accumulate from waves, bulges, folds, etc. in soft measures. That is the reason I placed "no cloth measures" in the rules from the beginning of this season. I upgraded it to cloth/soft because an entry was made using a "soft vinyl" tape and this is the reason why. 

A simple push/pull style tape works great and you can get them anywhere and relatively inexpensive. The yellow shows up well against the ice/snow.

Slap .... I opened the Gripes Board ... sorry I forgot. 

Measuring tapes are great. They are ridgid, small and easy to carry and the yellow shows up well !

[Thriller]

  to Doug.  I feel sorry that you have to put up with this sort of stuff.  I've seen too many photos with a soft tape where it wasn't straight.  If you are trying to get a quick photo to release the fish, it is hard enough to get a decent shot, but when the fish flops on the tape and messes it up, the time it takes to get it all set up again can be very hard on the fish.

I think I've generally used a white tape measure, but I'll try to ensure I get a replacement - I hadn't really thought about the contrast.

[JiggerMan]

what about the measuring boards like the ones the fish commissions use for there sampling. 

Just an idea.

Jiggerman

[LoneWolf]

I'll try and make this simple. You can use any kind of ridgid rule ... push/pull tape measure, yard stick, etc. but keep in mind it must be readable.
We go through this every season and I do my best not to eliminate entries .. which is time consuming.

Also if the measurement I post is different from yours don't be upset. I'm not implying anything. I have to go by the picture which is harder to read especially if it is taken at an angle, has a shadow, etc..

[ShawnM]

Doug,
You the man. 

[shrub]

doug,would it make it any easir for you if photo that was cropped so that you could read the numbers eaisr was alos posted?

[LoneWolf]

Alot of members don't know how to do it and it might cause discrepencies if they crop too much. I have programs for enlarging and enhancing photos.  Thanks for the thought ! 

If everyone reads the rules and the photo tips there shouldn't be too many problems. 


                                                                 Photo  Tips :
                                       
                                   Use a rule with the largest numbers you can find.
                                   Take the photo directly above fish  ... not at an angle.
                                   Take several photos to ensure at least one meets the criteria.
                                   Fill the pic with the entry, rule and card and avoid side clutter.

[Out4Trout]

I have to say that AJ Agnor and Shawn M did a great job measuring their perch by making a line in the snow to the end of the tape.  I'll have to remember to do that.

[BUCKSKI]

Some of you guys kill me, buy a friggin new ruler!!!!!! Stop Complaining
If you need to cheat on something like this you do not need to enter.
Man never saw so many whiners.
More about the pride and little competition, not betting the farm

[IceGeek]

I hear ya buckski....I had an old ruler that had a bit of a bow in it.  I set it next to some fish I caught a few weeks back just to give an approximate size.  Oakorchardfishking ripped me apart....he was just playing though, so I went out and bought a new ruler to make everyones job easier AND I didn't want anyone accusing me of cheating...

[salmotrutta]

What so hard to understand.Lonewolf,maybe you need to post a picture of the type of tape measure you want.I don't know why people are making this so hard.

[coldbum]

my only concern is finding a ruler long enough to measure NY fish?

[BASSandICE65]

Cloth stretches tried and proven by myself used my girlfriends stretched it out ove 1/2 inch I always use a wood or a metal tape measure

[Out4Trout]

my only concern is finding a ruler long enough to measure NY fish?

I see what you mean, I just saw your perch entry.  Keep em coming. 

[GAMBELL]

The Gator grip golden rules would be perfect.   This measuring device has a 90 degree bend at the end so you can butt the fishes lips up against it.  This would get rid of the problems with lining up the fish with the ruler.  Check out my thread titled suggestion on the General Chit Chat board.  I'm not sure what page it is on now but if you look you will find it.  Check these rulers out at GATORGRIP.COM.  The only problem I see is they only make them in 32" or smaller.  I have E-mailed the company to see if they will make a larger one.  They also will custom engrave names on them (like ICESHANTY.COM).