After cleaning today's catch, I have to agree that 8" is too small. We even kept some 7's that were injured beyond repair but they took too much cleaning effort for barely any meat. We had a few over 10" and what a difference - easier to clean and much more yield. I wouldn't tell my 9-year-old that her 8 inch-er doesn't count, but I think my own personal limit will be 9" now.