Saltwater Fish Measurement Guidelines | Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association

Saltwater Fish Measurement Guidelines

The tape is FLAT and the fish is place on top of the tape.

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.

Total Length Species Include:

Red Drum/Black Drum Sheepshead

Striped Bass (Rockfish) Flounder

Spotted Seatrout Weakfish

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.

Fork Length Species Include:

Amberjacks Bluefish

Rudderfish King Mackerel

Hog Fish Spanish Mackerel

Dolphin Permit

Cobia

Lower Jaw Fork Length Measurement (Billfishes)

Fish regulated by lower jaw fork length are measured in a straight line from the anterior most part of the lower jaw (tip of the lower jaw) to the fork in the tail.

Lower Jaw Fork Length Species Include:

Sailfish Blue Marlin

White Marlin