Real rookie here. What do you use to hold scale masking in place for painting?

i just wrap it over the bait tightly and hold it tight with my left hand while i paint.

i think Big M (or somebody, i don't remember who) uses an embroidery hoop, and puts the mesh loosely in that and then presses the bait into it so it stretches tight over it.

I use an embroidery hoop for stiffer meshes but for softer and more flexible mesh I just wrap it around the bait.

Embroidery hoop works the best...  I like to use the hoop on a bench, put the bait under it, then c-clamps to hold it to the bench, and it keeps the bait nice and stable. 

clothes pins work well and are cheap