06-20-2007, 11:43 AM
[cool][#0000ff]There are a bajillion different makes and models. Most of the cheaper ones are "spring" scales that serve only to provide a "near nuff" reading. I recommend a good digital scale...with a heavy duty hook. Some of the cheapies have only small, weak hooks that can tear out of a fish. Not good if you are planning to release it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That brings up another point. If the fish is truly large, and you do plan to release it, hanging it on a scale is not good for it. Not only can it damage tissue around the mouth and/or gills, but it is not good for large fish to hang vertically. It can damage internal organs. Always better to support the fish horizontally, and to not even remove them from the water except for a quick photo...while supporting them in at least two places underneath.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you do have a biggie, try to get a quick length and girth measurement and then compute the weight later. Here is a link to an online [url "http://www.championbass.com/weight_calculator.html"]FISH WEIGHT CALCULATOR[/url] . It is not accurate to a tenth of an ounce, but it is near nuff.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have two digital scales. One I keep in my fillet kit and the other in my tube, for quick weigh and release...along with a tape measure. They are available in 15# and 50# max models. Here is a picture of one made by Rapala that sells for about $30.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
![[Image: i014817sn01.jpg]](http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/01/48/17/i014817sn01.jpg)
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That brings up another point. If the fish is truly large, and you do plan to release it, hanging it on a scale is not good for it. Not only can it damage tissue around the mouth and/or gills, but it is not good for large fish to hang vertically. It can damage internal organs. Always better to support the fish horizontally, and to not even remove them from the water except for a quick photo...while supporting them in at least two places underneath.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you do have a biggie, try to get a quick length and girth measurement and then compute the weight later. Here is a link to an online [url "http://www.championbass.com/weight_calculator.html"]FISH WEIGHT CALCULATOR[/url] . It is not accurate to a tenth of an ounce, but it is near nuff.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have two digital scales. One I keep in my fillet kit and the other in my tube, for quick weigh and release...along with a tape measure. They are available in 15# and 50# max models. Here is a picture of one made by Rapala that sells for about $30.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[signature]