Nice 1st hali but now you have unleashed THE CURSE! Next one has got to be 25+" and then 30+", 35+", 40+", etc., etc.

Judging by your tape measure it barely made 22 inches, as I believe the mouth is supposed to be closed when measuring them. By law, I also believe a net is required on all fishing crafts, but not too many people off of La Jolla bring them, since most of the fish caught there don't usually require measurements ;)
When they're that close and you don't have a net it's better to take the risk of bouncing them on deck and losing them, vice sticking the gaff in them when they could be a 1/2 inch short.
He looks like he just made it, so congrats on your first legal :)

You prefaced with a negative! The "lil stinker" is going to be all over your ass:eek:. Don't rain on someones blind luck...you'll get a pm from the internet cop!:(

:iagree: Doesn't really matter it measures safely, and is a hali in the bag, dfg didn't catch him, so I say props on the hali!:cheers1:

Congrats on your First Legal :D

Congrats on the legal, more will follow!

I'm not going to worry about the "Proper English Police" or the "Internet Cop", since I ain't in English class no more ;)

And I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. I'm assuming much sarcasm in your response, but if that's not the case, no worries.

Just trying to give him a heads up, and maybe save him a ticket in the future.

We have great nets for when we drive all the way up to Dana Point for fish of that size, and we'll net and keep them. If they're obviously legal, the gaff is used.

Again, congrats on your 1st, it's good to break the ice.

:cheers1: They'll get bigger soon.