So, I going to denote head to h, body to b, and tail to t.
The tail is equal to the head (9 inches) plus half the body.
t=9+12b
The body is the size of the head plus the tail.
b=9+t
Now, plug the first equation into the second for t.
b=9+(9+12b)
Simplify.
b=18+12b
Multiply everything by 2 to get rid of fractions.
2b=36+b
Subtract b from both sides.
b=36
So, the body is 36 inches long
Now, plug 36 into the first equation.
t=9+362
Simplify.
t=9+18
t=27
So, the head is 9 inches long, the body is 36 inches long, and the tail is 27 inches long.
For the full length it is h+b+t, or 9+36+27.
9+36+27=72
So your fish is 72 inches long (now that's a catch!)