Measuring abs...what am I doing wrong???? HELP

Went diving today with Shimmy and Bluefin.  We found a bunch of abalone but NONE of them fit the measuring thingy...what in the hell am I doing wrong?

We tried measuring over and over and nothing was the "right" size???  WTF???  Are the bigger ones ok to keep?  See how far off everything was...





 

OH yeah, one other thing...the conditions right now are TERRIBLE.  You can only see 15-20 feet and the waves were huge, easily over two feet tall.  Were going to wait until it gets better before we go again.

Hi Sean,

Nice! Yep, there's definitely something wrong with your measuring methods.  Guess you'll just have to reattach those big ugly abs next time. 

I'm curious where you like to dive, unless of course you don't want to give away secret spots. 

Congrats on the abs.  -Matt and Mariko

Nice looking Abs, Sean - Hey wait - those must be from LAST year as I don't see any tags on those. 

John

Aside from the gear malfunctions (read operator error). It was disturbing that none of the abalone would fit into the legal measuring device!

They are tagged, you can see the zip tie on the end of the shell.  The tagging wasn't too big of a PITA but I would advise you to punch the tag hole before you go out as several of ours ripped.

punch the tag hole before you go out as several of ours ripped.

Yep.  Mine too.

nice 'balones, guys!   

I think you're s'posed to use those little guages for width.  Or maybe to measure the muscle scar... 

Thanks...always thought it was for the outside of the shell.

It was a tough day, swells were killing me, bobbing up and down in the 1-2' swell.  Great day all around with some great frends, thanks Sean for the help.  Decided that its time to start riding the bike, as in TODAY! Ab's went 8.5-9.5, the latter a personal best. Second pic has a lot of yellow in it. Here's some pics:

Great photos, thanks for posting 'em. Nice pluckin'!

I could not see the zip tie poking off the end in the first photo , tiny computer on a dial-up at home - I was sure you were doing it BTB I was just teasing - 

John

Congrats on the nice abs!   


I need new fins... tried getting abs myself, but they were too quick for me.   

Them's some healthy abs! Nice haul.

Z

Try the gauge sideways that may work.  Mine sometimes fit that way.  Good luck.

Nice Abs Guys! This has to be the funniest thread I have read since joining. Years ago one of my dive buddies made a nine inch ab gauge and we would always give it to the new guys on their first dive. I like the picture of the two of you sitting on the log doing your "homework".

Hmm, I'm wondering if you were catching the right species of abalone.  I think you'll find that most black and flat abalone will fit in that gauge.

Okay, for the first time in about five months I'm really missing Northern California.  Nice job guys, I'm jealous.  I'll be sure to post a salmon report soon to repay the favor.

Brian