pounds vs inches

[cpolesen]

Why is it when a bass, catfish or crappie is caught they are referred to in pounds, but when a trout is caught it is referred to in inches. Is this like the metric system or something??

 

[AllOut]

I've wondered the same thing before, but I'm guilty of doing it.
Bass, catfish, buffalo, short/long nose and carp is pounds
Crappie and trout is inches
Gator Gar is Feet and Pounds lol

 

[Lurker66]

Why would you weigh a trout, most stockers are only 8"-12". When ya catch a big one, then ya weigh em.

 

[FlyGuyGSP]

That's simple for me. If the fish is long and skinny, I measure in inches. If the fish is short and fat, I go with pounds.

 

[dennishoddy]

I pretty much weigh everything on digital scales that have been calibrated.
Trout being the only exception generally. I release 99% of the trout I catch, and try to do it while they are still in the water with minimum handling of the fish.

 

[fishfurlife]

Why are brow tines counted with a white tail to make an 8 point buck when it is understood that a 4x4 muley may or may not have eye guards? Why are elk 5x5 as opposed to a 10 point?

Same type of thing I believe. I do the same thing with above mentioned fish.

 

[Porter]

The majority of trout fishermen are catch and release guys. As Dennis mentioned, the idea is to handle the fish as little as possible to ensure a good clean release.
Trout are typically more fragile than other freshwater species and taking a fish out the the water to weigh it can add additional stress.

I have a tape measure attached to my net that makes it really easy to measure a trout. You can leave the fish in the net and not take it out of the water.