Help On Determining Size?

[Keowee Hot Spot]

Caught this smallie this summer on Torch Lake in Michigan. Was in our recreation boat and not my fishing boat so had no ruler or scale. I get asked all the time what the size is. I know many of you are good at telling a fishes size by looks so I thought I would throw it out there to see what others think.

[Scott F]

When you hold the fish out in front of you while taking the picture there is no way to accurately estimate the size because there is nothing to compare it to. If it were up against your body, or something else of a known size, you could figure it out. The closest thing we could use is your hand. If the distance across your knuckles is 3.5 inches (about what mine is) I would estimate the fish to be around 18 inches long and weigh near to 3.5 or 4 pounds.

[Dwight Hottle]

Welcome to bassresource. My guess is your bass is in the 4lb range.

[Keowee Hot Spot]

Thanks Guys, I tried to measure using my hand as aspect and came up with 18-20" but the fish had pretty big shoulders and was quite stout. Here is another shot with me holding horizontal and not out towards camera as far.  

 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Length is a starting point, girth is the finish.

 

She's definitely got some weight.

 

I'll also go in the 4 lb range give or take.

[Dwight Hottle]

Based on your 2nd picture I would say solid 4-5 lbs. good length.

[soflabasser]

At least 4 pounds maybe 5 pounds.

[WIGuide]

Welcome to the forums. It's really hard to tell from a picture as they can look bigger or smaller than what they are. I could give you examples if I wasn't at work. If I were to take a guess though I'd say about 18-19 inches give or take and in that 4 lb range. 

[Keowee Hot Spot]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the welcome and guesstimates. I have felt it was around 5 lbs and being a fisherman I will use the largest estimates possible!.. From now on, it was a 5 pounder! Also, I now carry a small tape measure and digital scale in my tackle bag. 

[patred]

I forgot my tape measure this weekend and compared my fish(es) to the end of the rod, made a note of the length then measured that length on the rod when I got home.

 

Pat

[tracker01]

Spread your thumb and your pinky finger as far apart as you can on your hand. Measure that distance.  Mine measures 9". Not perfect but good in a pinch.

[Jtrout]

Id also go in the 4-4.5 range

[Robeng]

Id say 4 as well. From another Michigander.