My rule of thumb is 10lbs (unless a really good story behind a 9lb catch) or 30"
Anything less than that really isn't a "trophy" for most people unless something remarkable happened while fishing tha particular day which warrants keeping a 28 incher.
My rule of thumb is about 17"-30" go back. The only fish that hit the livewell for me are fishing I need to eat for shore lunch on week long camping trips.
I only like to eat fish fresh. No sense in taking a fish home to put in the freezer...to eventually throw away a year or two later.
Nice fish btw...26" and 28" are two nice fish in anyones book...anyones.
