New Record Striped Bass
 

I figured that title would get your attention. With the new guidelines for size limits on striped bass now in effect, the state record for striped bass is in no danger of being surpassed or even approached. How are the tournaments handling their weigh-ins? There will be many fish entered with the same maximum length and therefore the same weights. It seems like there will be many ties for the money. What are the solutions to avoid the likely complications? What are some of the clubs or tournaments doing to solve the apparent dilemma.

Re: New Record Striped Bass
 

I'd like to see more C+R tournaments. Take a photo with the length and go based off that. There have been a few of them before. But with the new regs, a tournament winning fish most likely has to be released anyway.

Re: New Record Striped Bass
 

Since it is very, very difficult to keep large stripers alive in a normal livewell most tournaments are set up to score/weigh the heaviest individual dead bass or the heaviest pair of them. I think the Manhattan Cup may make other accommodations. With the possibility that many fish just under 38" might be entered and that those fish may all weigh the same, the winner might have to be drawn out of a hat.

Re: New Record Striped Bass
 

I could see them working like Redfish tournaments down south as they have has slot limits for some time now. These are an idea of how they do it

https://www.americasredfishcup.com/rules

Re: New Record Striped Bass
 

Those are some really specific rules. The tournament relies on sportsmanship and adhering to the rules. When money is involved, the temptation to cheat is hard to avoid. Still, keeping the fish alive is the key Keeping a slot-sized redfish alive is one thing, but keeping a 37" striper alive is a bit more difficult. Keeping multiple stripers alive is almost impossible.

Re: New Record Striped Bass
 

Everyone gets a tag for the day, go off length + tag clearly visible in photo. It's not that difficult, kayak tournaments have been run this way for years. There are existing tournament apps that can be used as well.

Everyone has a high quality phone camera now, not to mention gopros etc. Forget about keeping fish alive for a weigh-in...Length - photo - release - done.