What do you use to weigh that trophy bass?

[timdmd]

I caught my personal best this past weekend (she weighed in at just over 5), but using my cheap-o Rapala spring scale, I got to thinking there's got to be a better more accurate way. I'd rather not break the bank w/ one of those Cul-M-Rite tournament scales, but was wondering what the anglers on this forum use.

Is there much difference between digital scales? And what's the protocol for weighing lunkers that are candidates for lake/world records? Is there a standardized scale that's used, or can you just use the scale you have?

[supermat]

Salter Scales are probably the most accurate scale available and are typically certifiable but they're very expensive. As for actual records you need a certified scale which is standardized by the government, I.E. your individual county will certify a scale for you. (if its certifiable)
I've had ok success with Berkley 50 lb scales, one was reasonably accurate and one was dead on. Good luck!

[swimbait]

I don't mean to spam, but this is a piece I wrote on this exact topic:

http://www.calfishing.com/freshwater/ca ... ation.html

[timdmd]

thanks guys! this thread has been very informative....

[Fish Chris]

Just a couple things to add to Rob's excellent article;

{BTW, I have the Salter, which I had certified by my local Dept Weights and Measures}

First, if you need the ph# for your local Dept of Weights and Measures, the next time you get gas, there will be a little sticker on every pump, with the local phone number. Write it down, and give them a call. You might have to make an appointment. Mine charges a 1/2 hour minimum fee of like $34 (pass or fail).

No matter what scale you have / get, you can check the accuracy, just for your own knowledge, or (suggested) before spending the $30 or $40 to have it certified, by buying, and weighing a few 1 gallon jugs of water at your local grocery store (up at the counter on their certfied scale). Do not go by the weight printed on the jugs. That is the minimum weight. They will always weigh a touch more, and also will vary a bit from jug to jug. Just bring a marker and put the exact weight on each jug. They might look at you funny when you ask them to "please weigh this water".... then just explain.....

Love my scale



Peace,
Fish

[Fish Chris]

again, please don't be mislead......

He said > I use a Cul-M-Rite and am very satisfied with it and I surely can't afford a Brecknell <

The Cul-M-Rite's are $199.95, and $249.95
http://www.culmrite.com/culmrite/mall/lobby.php

While the Salter-Brecknall is $89.99 from Cabelas.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... er%20scale

Fish

[swimbait]

yo Chris - I know those hooks on the Salter are kind of awkward at first, but it's not too hard to get the hook between the last gill raker and the jaw with a little practice.

We grab the fish with the left hand, then grab the scale around the base of the scale so you can support the weight of it while still manipulating the hook. If you keep your pointer finger on your right hand along the back of the hook it's easier to manipulate it.

Slip the hook down and in around that last gill raker. At first I kept dropping the scale trying to do it but it's not bad once you get used to it. I've poked holes in fish in the past to weigh them but not in the last few years. Just a thought.

-Rob

[Phil]

Rob;
I looked in salter and could not find ones you are talking about.....I can find Jennings J/scale though, is that the same company ??

JIGS

[swimbait]

Go to www.cabelas.com
Type in the word salter in the search box
It will be the only thing listed as a result

I would paste a direct link but the links on cabelas.com are absurdly long

[Phil]

OK THANKS ROB

JIGS

[Fish Chris]

Jigs, you must have missed it.... I posted the direct link to the Salter scale at Cabelas in my post above.

Peace,
Fish

[Fish Chris]

Hey Rob, you bring up an interesting point. I have hung fish in between the first gill raker a few times.... but that always makes me nervous (especially when explaining this to somebody who might not even know what a gill raker is !)
Nowadays, I use my Berkeley scale first, of which I have the hook sharpened (removing a gram or two of metal makes no difference, as the scale should always be zero'd first anyway) then, if it's a fish worthy of my certified Salter, I use the same hole I made with the sharpened hook on my Berkeley.

One thing to remember about poking holes in the fish though.... you should not center it in the tip of the lip, (too much connective tissue there) but slightly to the left or the right, and you should still make the hole as close to the end of the lip as possible, as if it is any lower, it will simply tear right up to the tip anyway, causing much more damage to the fish.

Peace,
Fish

[Phil]

We always carry a craddle on board, home made and weighs almost nothing......weigh the fish without putting another hole into the fish (that does not usually grow back together ?)!!

[Steve]

Hmmmm, I dont know Chris. Im gonna have to disagree with you on this one. There is absolutely no reason you, or anybody else, needs to poke an additional hole in a fish. ESPECIALLY A BIG FISH. Go fish over in Franks Tract near Russos and tell me what you think of those fish over there; Ive never seen so many fish with disgusting lips, giant holes, no lips, one eye......

Done correctly and quickly the under the gill plate works fine.

[Fish Chris]

Hey Jigs and Steve, for a guy to "carefully" weigh them under the gill plate, and between that first gill raker is fine. I'm just still a bit worried about the guys that are not careful enough / don't know enough, to avoid getting around that first raker.......

And BTW Jigs, that soft tissue under a fishes jaw, heals completely, and quickly, with healthy fish, in healthy water.

Hey Steve > never seen so many fish with disgusting lips, giant holes, no lips, one eye...... < I believe you buddy...... and to that I would say, "Then you need to be doing something different, shifting areas, or shifting techniques" because I know your not out there looking for the "smaller, dumb ones" any more than I am ! The fish we are after don't get huge by being beat up on very often !

Peace,
Fish