I was watching a redfish tournament today on TV. Several times the competitors said the fish was "too big" and had to throw it back. This happened a number of times. Why would you have to throw a fish back that is too big?

Because they have a length limit.

Im not familiar with red fish tourneys but i do know some states has "slots" for fish. For example, you can keep anything in between 23 and 27 inches. That might be the issue... i dont know..

Are most of those regulations for length? Or can they be for weight too? Any red fish longer than 25 inches had to go back in the water. They didn't say anything about their weight though. I can't imagine a weight limit. For example what if you caught a 24 inch red fish that weighed 12 pounds. You would hate to throw that one back.

No weight limit. The bigger the fish with in your length requirements the better. Helps ya win.

That's what I figured. Cool! :-)

Every slot limit i have seen is by length as scales are not always accurate but rulers are pretty good.

 

Saltwater it seems like slot limits are you can keep a fish in a particular range where all the freshwater slots i have seen are the opposite and usually to manage trophy fisheries.  One lake i fish has a slot limit that any fish between 16"-24" must be released but outside of that limit can be kept.

That "online fishing tournament" that must not be named has a slot limit tournament now and then. Which is a neat concept because its not species specific either and they go by length.

Its a slot limit based on the regulations. All redfish over 27" have to be released. Back when they had the FLW Striped Bass Series they had a 34" max, but it was due to the keep-alive livewell limitations.

Slot limits by length are to protect the fish so they don't have to be weighed.

I don't follow tournaments but I do know not all follow the same guidelines.  Some tournaments are based on points given, either for weight, length and some for numbers released.  Many of the saltwater are team events.

 

I'm pretty familiar with recreational snook fishing, over many years both the bag limit and slot size have been reduced.  Probably because the bigger ladies produce more eggs, I think the snook fishing is fairly healthy, but I hear all the time from some of the old timers, it ain't what it used to be. Personally I know I don't have the same water access as in years past plus, with all the population growth pollution may have a bearing.  I've been catching them for 30 years ( I was a snowbird), but not everyday like I've been for the last 10.

I don't follow tournaments but I do know not all follow the same guidelines.  Some tournaments are based on points given, either for weight, length and some for numbers released.  Many of the saltwater are team events.

 

I'm pretty familiar with recreational snook fishing, over many years both the bag limit and slot size have been reduced.  Probably because the bigger ladies produce more eggs, I think the snook fishing is fairly healthy, but I hear all the time from some of the old timers, it ain't what it used to be. Personally I know I don't have the same water access as in years past plus, with all the population growth pollution may have a bearing.  I've been catching them for 30 years ( I was a snowbird), but not everyday like I've been for the last 10.

Ever since they banned gill nets the snook fishing here in Stuart has improve drastically. I lived on the south fork of the st. lucie for my first 20yrs of my life.

I know I miss my snook. Can't wait till I get back to St. Lucie county.