measuring fish...

[cotton]

when measuring fish, lets say specifically mangrove snapper, how much do you allow for "ice shrinkage"? do some fish shrink worse than others?

[PhishingPhanatic]

I've seen them shrink about a 1/2" or so. Here in FL mangroves only have to be 10" to keep, I never keep them under 12" or so though, so it's not a problem. With muttons, I like for them to be at least 16 1/2" to keep so I don't have to worry.

[BRunner346]

like rory said. measure the fish without a pinched tail. if its clearly a keeper without any debate then it should be a keeper with shrinkage after a pinched tail.

[Pier#r]

Keep them WELL iced and WET too!
This will help slow any shrinkage (length and weight).

Note: I keep a soaking wet towel in my ice chest to wrap fish up in (especially on HOT or DRY days).
It helps with any fish that are even close to minimum length

[Lomax aka ZEBCO]

They shrink about 1/8th in inch when sitting in the slushy water for a bit of (realistic)time.

[fixed80]

i wondered why (when the first time i went on an overnight trip) the captain said the fish like snappers, AJs, and grouper had to be larger than the actual legal size. now i know the reason for sure.