Sportsman's Tips - June 2007

Lip Lock
When I bring a cobia onboard, I want it measured quickly so I can release it if it's not a keeper. The problem is that these fish can be tough to hold and often flop violently. To make the process easier, I filed the barb off a 5/0 J-hook and epoxied it to the underside of the tip of a ten-foot tape measure. I'll lay the fish on the deck and plant the hook in its top lip. As the tape is pulled back toward the tail, the tension keeps the hook in place so I can get an accurate length even if the cobia is still moving. For safety, I cemented a wood block to the bottom of the tape measure so I don't get stuck if the hook pops loose.
"" James Victory, Gautier, Mississippi