So im looking for a good scale i could set my drag on and weigh fish on it, Any recommendations on what to get?

I used a bunch of cheaper ones over the, including some digital ones. Always disappointed. So I broke down and bought a Boga Grip about a year ago. Pricey, but a great tool. I don't use my scales to set drag with it, but I assume it'd work for that.

1/4"=1'.... lol

Sorry, I just had to do that.

Hootie

I used a bunch of cheaper ones over the, including some digital ones. Always disappointed. So I broke down and bought a Boga Grip about a year ago. Pricey, but a great tool. I don't use my scales to set drag with it, but I assume it'd work for that.

I'd have to agree with the Boga. Even though I don't have one YET. I would think you could set your drag on one, perhaps a strong hook around the clasp?

On my current, el cheapo Boga knock off I have done line breakage tests, so can't see why you couldn't.

There's been a number of threads on scales in the Tackle forum over the past year or so. If you search in that forum, you'll come up with some good recommendations.

For me, compactness is important since I fish from the bank more than the boat and I need a scale that will fit in a waist pack. I have been having outstanding results with a compact Rapala digital scale. Not as robust as a spring-scale but compact, accurate, repeatable...as long as the battery is good...

http://www.bassresou...ck-test-report/

If you want absolute reliability, get a quality spring scale. If you're willing to take chances, get a digital. I'm in the latter category. I've used Rapalas and Berkleys and they both can be very good until they fail and I've had a few fail. Compactness is also a requirement for me and good spring scales are too large.

x2 on the rapala scales. the only difference I did on mine was file the hook a little sharper so I can hook bass on the bottom lip. Otherwise with the regular hook if you put behind the gill plate the wiggle loose alot of the times.

the fishgrip has a hole in the handle for the hook...then i don't have to put any extra holes in fish or have them flop off...the fish grip is indispensable when gettin hooks out of the toothy critters...its all of 13 bucks i believe...i never leave home without it...

Those could've been my words as well. I own two of the grips. Not sure if anyone other than Cabela's sells them.

I use spring scales, weatherproof, reliable and accurate, best of all its always working. No batteries to crap out when ya need it most. Easy to adjust and get certified, typically less expensive than digital.

If you're going to use a scale you can hook it to the net and later subtract the weight of the net. A mesh laundry bag works too for bass sized fish.

i have a rapala scale and it is way off with no way of adjusting. caught a "5.5"....checked my scale later against a freon scale (im in hvac) that is certifed scale and the fish weighed 7.4.........

There's been a number of threads on scales in the Tackle forum over the past year or so. If you search in that forum, you'll come up with some good recommendations.

For me, compactness is important since I fish from the bank more than the boat and I need a scale that will fit in a waist pack. I have been having outstanding results with a compact Rapala digital scale. Not as robust as a spring-scale but compact, accurate, repeatable...as long as the battery is good...

http://www.bassresou...ck-test-report/

Atctually its that exact one! mine is way off. a 2lb fish will like 1.25. its just all over the place.

Too bad - perhaps you have a bad one. Have you checked/replaced the battery?

My two units are (so far) scary accurate - this with load tests on known weights between 9 and 38 pounds.

Atctually its that exact one! mine is way off. a 2lb fish will like 1.25. its just all over the place.

Same experience here with the Rap digitial. Seemed like temps affected its accuracy, too.

Get a Chatillon.

It's an old one I got off eBay. I think it's a 20 pounder with 2oz. increments.

This is what i use for my fishing scale:

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/tools-and-equipment/classics/scale-tournament

Small light and accurate.

mike d

Watched the 2012 Texas Bass Classic last week, top 15 anglers from the FLW, top 15 from the Elite series, and 5 sposorship spots, they're on Lake Conroe, which has a one fish limit, so the solution is each boat has a marshall who weighs the fish, gets agreement from the pro, record the weight and release the fish. They use Bogas.

I went through several brands of digitals before getting a Boga. Heard good things about the Chatillons also. If you want reliable, consistent weights, get a good spring scale, if you want a "ballpark" weight get a digital.

If you are setting the drag on a bass reel the maximum tension you should set is 8 lbs and that is for a heavy action rod. Use 1/3rd the line strength of mono or FC line, not superbraid, is the proper drag setting.

If you are thinking about a good spring scale, then a 10 to 12 lb range scale is ideal and accurate. All digital scales are dependent on battery life for accuracy.

Tom

My Boga crapped out at just about a year(second one). So far the Rap is fine but have had it less than a year.

I'm curious how a mechanical scale "crapped out." What happened?