Help with determining the length of a fish

OK guys here is my dilemma. Landing and measuring a halibut from a kayak solo is tough when the fish isn't dead. On my recent trip i hooked a good fish but it was still very lively at the side of the boat and I was in shallow water and getting blow towards rocks. We got some good pics but no official measurement.
Later in the trip I measured a 40"er and the first fish was definitely larger.

I want to enter my fish for AOTY but I would like input as to what the group feels is a fair length for this fish.
I will dig up some more pics but here are a couple.







Here is one pic of the larger fish and I will get another guy in the trip to send me a better one.



Thanks guys ... just trying to be fair =)
~Bill

PS ... best fishing trip EVER!!

I think I've seen enough to probably give you credit for the 40" fish.   

As for the bigger fish, if you have a photo of the full fish against the kayak and there are obvious reference points (pad eyes, rod holders, etc..) that can be measured later in another clear photo we might be able to come up with something. Maybe.

I think I've seen enough to probably give you credit for the 40" fish.   

As for the bigger fish, if you have a photo of the full fish against the kayak and there are obvious reference points (pad eyes, rod holders, etc..) that can be measured later in another clear photo we might be able to come up with something. Maybe.

I have a beautiful Vermillion rockfish picture for you then  :-D

I have a beautiful Vermillion rockfish picture for you then  :-D

Ah, I heard about that fish.  

If the photo is good and we can get a length on it, we might be able to do something.  However, it generally has to be up against something flat though, like the side of the kayak.  If you're simply holding the fish up it's really hard to judge reference points.  Larger fish (i.e. halibut and sturgeon) also work better for this sort of thing because the room for error is greater.

Brian

A few more pics of the big fish. I think it was 48" or so but would be happy to take 45" if others will agree to it.

Impressive and commendable fish, but the pic's in regards to AOTY points, leave a lot to be desired.  I say (just my opinion )  if Bsteves can work his magic with the puter to determine the length of fish on deck measured in relation to known objects on deck, I'm behind his call 100%.  Fish still in the water/hanging off the side etc seem tougher to accurately measure and the level of subjectivity gets a little high for my taste.   Either way I trust Bill and his judgement as he was actually there   In the grand scheme of things, and here's a slow pitch for the Jade master, in case he's distracted by the Hagg Lake Hotties...  what's a few inches between friends....

That said I'm working real hard to come up with a reason not to go on this trip next year.

While I understand the intent ... I don't like the precedent of measuring fish this way.  Can we just let this die?

-Allen

Bill. Great job, awesome fish. Congrats!!

Nice fish, but I really can't do anything with those photos.