Revised rule changes the way anglers must measure striped bass.
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has made an important change to how striped bass must be measured—and it could improve the effectiveness of the stripers’ slot-based regulations.
As of now, all striped bass caught in both commercial and recreational fisheries must be measured with the tail lobes squeezed together. This decision comes after the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFAC) unanimously approved the DMF’s recommendation to clarify and standardize the method for determining a fish’s total length.
Why the Change?
Until now, it was unclear whether anglers could measure striped bass with the tail squeezed or fanned out. While this might sound minor, it created significant discrepancies—especially for recreational fishermen trying to stay within the narrow slot limit of 28” to less than 31”.
DMF’s 2024 investigation found that squeezing the tail can add about 0.3 inches to a fish’s total length, while fanning the tail can reduce it by as much as 1.4 inches. That means the allowable 3-inch slot could effectively become a 4.7-inch range, depending on how the fish was measured.
This gap raised concerns about fairness and consistent enforcement, especially since recreational anglers are more likely to encounter fish on the edge of the slot limit. The change aims to eliminate confusion and help ensure that everyone is playing by the same rules.
What This Means for Anglers
When you measure your striped bass:
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Pinch the upper and lower fork of the tail together to get the official total length.
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Make sure your fish falls between 28 inches and just under 31 inches when measured this way to legally retain it.
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If the fish is under 28″ or measures 31″ or more after pinching the tail, it must be released.
Looking Ahead
DMF is also encouraging the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to adopt this tail-squeezing method coastwide, which could lead to broader consistency across state lines in the future.
Source: https://onthewater.com/revised-rule-changes-the-way-anglers-must-measure-striped-bass
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