Fish Pics?? AOTY and others.

Im a bit Confused about Some of the Fish Pics and How they are done.I Don't have a good camera to take pics ,But also don'thave a fish YET. But for the AOTY arn't the Fish sappose to Still be Alive? and Not Gutted? And Do You Have to Use a Fish Trough or can a Tape or Yardstick work?I guess Pole's Comment of this last years Pic Problem is on My Mind too. Fish Mouth Shut .OK I get that But WHAT KIND OF Camera do some of you others guys and gals. use..do you wait till on shore to take the pic? or What?OH ya and I do hope to have a fish Soon..

They don't have to be alive.

I suppose it should be spelled out that any mutilation to the fish that is perceived to extend the length of the fish is not acceptable ... I wouldn't gut it.

You can use anything that shows a clear measurement.  It is best if the measurement is on a flat surface with the measuring device under the fish, and not draped over it on a curve.

The mouth does NOT have to be completely shut.  It can be in a natural, relaxed open position.  But if you can shut it, then do so.

-Allen

Thanks That helps.Im also thinking Waterproof camera would help..
 

They don't have to be alive.

I suppose it should be spelled out that any mutilation to the fish that is perceived to extend the length of the fish is not acceptable ... I wouldn't gut it.

You can use anything that shows a clear measurement.  It is best if the measurement is on a flat surface with the measuring device under the fish, and not draped over it on a curve.

The mouth does NOT have to be completely shut.  It can be in a natural, relaxed open position.  But if you can shut it, then do so.

-Allen

I bought an Olympus tough model  from Costco a year or two ago that is waterproof and seems to work well. I have left it sitting in a puddle in my kayak all day and it still has worked perfectly. The only bad thing about my camera is that it takes non-standard cards and has a non-standard micro-USB connector.  I think that there are a lot of good candidates out there and that you just need to keep your eyes peeled for a sale! Also, it may be that a waterproof video camera that could take stills may be a better choice.

Weird.  My Olympus Stylus Tough takes SD cards.  Absolutely great camera though.  I beat the hell out of it and it keeps going.

I have an Olympus Stylus 1030 and has taken a beating, dunked, salted, dropped in the sand etc....
Still takes great pictures.

Mine takes the XD card, and I can't find anything larger than 2g. That's a lot of pictures, and my battery usually dies way before I run out of card capacity. To remedy this, I just ordered a new aftermarket battery that has higher capacity from Amazon for like $8. 

Weird.  My Olympus Stylus Tough takes SD cards.  Absolutely great camera though.  I beat the hell out of it and it keeps going.

I have the Olympus Stylus Tough 6000. It uses an xD-Picture Card (not SD). There is an adapter included for using a micro SD card (It is an xD shell that the micro-SD plugs into). Perhaps my camera is a bit older and the newer ones take SD cards.

I have an Olympus Stylus 1030 and has taken a beating, dunked, salted, dropped in the sand etc....
Still takes great pictures.

Mine takes the XD card, and I can't find anything larger than 2g. That's a lot of pictures, and my battery usually dies way before I run out of card capacity. To remedy this, I just ordered a new aftermarket battery that has higher capacity from Amazon for like $8.

The limit on XD cards is 2gig. I think even if you stick in an 8gig micro SD card into the converter that the camera will only recognize 2gig of memory.

 I have not a problem with battery life since I only take a handful of pictures at a time. I only charge the camera up a couple of times a year - after it goes dead on a fishing trip usually 

+1 on the Olympus Stylus cameras.  I still use the same one I bought back in 2007 and it still works great.  It's closing in on taking its 10,000th picture.

For those who may be overwhelmed at the prospect of having to buy a camera to compete;  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY A BRAND NEW CAMERA TO BE COMPETITIVE.  Just be careful with your gear and keep it in a drybag till you need to use it.

I competed for 2 years using my trusty old family digital camera.  And didn't do too badly those two years. 
Old faithfull finally died from a fatal fall off the kitchen counter. 

-Spot-

If you want to go the cheap route for now do a search on amazon for waterproof digital camera. There are some kodaks you can pick up for 60-70 bucks that will get the job done. They probably don't take the greatest landscapes but they will certainly get a clear photo of a fish at two feet.

Old faithfull finally died from a fatal fall off the kitchen counter. 

That said:  "Life can be tough, this camera is tougher. Rugged metal body and innovative shock-absorbing construction are designed to withstand a 6.6-foot drop, bump, or other mishap."  -Olympusamerica.com

I have an older Pentax Optio WP camera.  So far mine has gone for swims and spent an extended time in a wet pdf with no ill affects.  They also take a standard SD cad which is nice. 

My wife has an Olympus waterproof point and shoot, and we have gone scuba diving to 30ft just goofin around and it did find.  +1 to Olympus

No matter which waterproof camera you buy, try and get the optional silicon rubber skin for it. It's a lot easier to grip the camera when its wet, or when your hands are covered with fish slime! It also helps the camera stay in your vest pocket. I have one for my Pentax Optio W60 and love it!