Howzit Malcom,
I agree with you on a true measurement that you have to lay it on a flat plane instead of on top the fish. When I was doing Club Bass Tournaments this was how you measured fish. Most importantly because a lot of lakes had min sizes and slot limits where you could get fined at the weigh in.
Every GT I have measured has been with a ribbon tape measure laid on top of the fish, I always knew it was not the accurate way but it was the fastest. I started measuring fish because of our tag n release program here in Hawaii and the majority of fish measured was using this ribbon tape and laid on top from my understanding. But since the program came to an end I only measure fish which I think are close to a personal best or for kicks. I'll probably keep measuring this way since this is how I have always done it for GT's so I can compare past fish and its just faster and easier unless I start marking up the floor lol. But i'm not trying for anything official.
I agree with you Mark length means nothing without girth. I have had talks with a buddy who has caught all different sizes of GT's in the 100 pound range and unless you weigh it you don't know how big it really is obviously. But since we are throwing them back we use the length measurement as a standard now days I guess.
Trevor looking at the pics coming from the middle east I don't think taking measurements is necessary lol. I have met Nick once in person and he's a big guy so when I see a fish blocking him out I can imagine how big it is in person lol.
I just recently seen pics of Ed at no boundaries with a sling weighing fish, that seems like a good idea for guys wanting to know the weights except when in rough seas might be a little hard to get an accurate reading.
In the end if you feel the fish is big then its big who cares about all the numbers and what everyone else thinks at that point in time just enjoy it and the pics
. Anyways just something I was curious about..........