Fish size to weight ratio

[fudge]

Last season our club (Blyth SAC) thought it would be a good idea to look into the possibility of introducing a catch and release policy within our comps. We decided to gather data from cod between 35cm-40cm over a couple of seasons ie, fish length and weight. If we can get enough info we could then allocate the average weight for that length of fish.
Obviously the fish would have to wittnessed and independently measured before release so the system could only be achieved if you fish with a partner. There is alot of issues that need addressing for this to work sucessfully but we feel its the way forward.
I was wondering if anyone has any such like info that could help us with our task. At the moment we are focusing on cod but hope to extend this to other spieces in the future.

[peter.m]

Fudge, we trialed a points system in our club last year for the summer and it went down quite well and is now adopted. Being a fairly small club we fish summer comps at an arranged venue so everyone is in the same vicinity to witness catches. Points are awarded to each species for it to measure to the size limit and then you are awarded 1 point for each cm over on top. (e.g. cod - 35cm = 15pts, cod - 36 cm = 16pts. flounder 25cm = 8pts, flounder 26cm = 9pts).

Mick Todd will know the system as it is used in matches at work. It is just a case of agreeing as much as possible how much each species is worth compared to another. We find this helps in the summer as most of the fish are not wanted for eating so have a chance of surviving. The trouble comes in winter when people want to fish over different marks however most fish weighed in the winter go to those that eat them anyway and not too much unneccesary waste.

Drop me a note or give me a ring on 07960 966247 and I\'ll let you have a copy of the points we agreed.

[fudge]

Hi Peter,
We had a catch and release match at Burrowhead last year which was based on the points system. Mick organised the match which was a huge success. It was that match which inspired us to try and introduce a catch and release system into our winter league. Obviously, because its the winter league we would have to allocate weight rather than points which is why we have been gathering data about the weight to length ratio.We have quite a bit info allready but not enough to implement it into the winter league yet which is why i am asking if any one else has done such a study before.
The difficultys are, as you rightly pointed out , that most decent cod are taken home anyway and also some people fish alone. To overcome this we would make it optional to release. If you want to bring the fish to the scales thats fine but if you have a ( just size) codling thats lip hooked and want to let it go ,thats fine too. You would then be allocated the relevant weight for that length cod.
We\'ve a way to go yet but because we are a smallish club with very little money invloved in the comps we think it will work.
Thanks for the reply.

[peter.m]

Fudge you\'re right about trusting people when there\'s little money involved it gets complicated when people start abusing it. We don\'t have any money involved at all in matches because of the problems it caused in the past which eventually split the club up. The only time we have a sweep is when we\'re all away together and have an optional fiver.

[Patrick_Pending]

We decided to gather data from cod between 35cm-40cm over a couple of seasons ie, fish length and weight. If we can get enough info we could then allocate the average weight for that length of fish.

Hi Fudge,

You can find data on fish length:weight ratios for particular areas (e.g., North Sea) at: http://www.fishbase.org/search.cfm

Hope this helps.

[fudge]

Thanks Pat_Pending
It looks an excellent site. Ill have a good look through to find what im looking for.

[ralph]

how about giveing points for each species caught instead of length/weight. this would enshur most fish get back alot quicker. you would need some evidance mind like a whitness or photo-pretty much everyone has acces to a digital camera nowadays.just remember what you do there will always be someone out tyhere willing to cheat to win Ralph