Hey!  What do you recommend that is a simple digital handheld scale that can be done without harming the fish?

 

Been using this one for several years ~

Quite successfully I might add.

Since taking this pic, 

I changed the grip to the 6 inch Rapala grip

(White)

It offers more space between the 'jaws',

which comes in handy time to time. 

A-Jay

 

 

My favorite is the Chatillion IN Series Fish and Games Scales because they are a simple brass spring scale that requires no battery and will last longer than I will.  They are a little pricey but you can buy old ones on eBay pretty cheap.  I think they've been making them exactly the same for over 50 years and the old ones are as good as the new ones.  Spring scales are great for setting your drag. 

 

I'm a stickler for accuracy and have a set of calibration weights that I used to check the accuracy of my scales.  To be honest, every scale I have checked has been more than accurate enough for casual use.  Even the cheap digital scales. 

 

I also use a Rapala grip because @A-Jay recommends them ?.

 

 

I have the Rapala High Contrast digital scales and having problems with it . It shuts off if a fish barely moves . Sometimes it reads a little to much . I have caught bass and the scales read like 1200 lbs or some ridiculous number . I'm going to try some fresh batteries but right now I wouldnt recommend them . I loved them at first .

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

Been using this one for several years ~

Quite successfully I might add.

Since taking this pic, 

I changed the grip to the 6 inch Rapala grip

(White)

It offers more space between the 'jaws',

which comes in handy time to time. 

A-Jay

 

Thanks!  If we’re looking for casual use and on bass that are typically maxing out around 6+lbs would this do the trick, ya think?

3 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

 

My favorite is the Chatillion IN Series Fish and Games Scales because they are a simple brass spring scale that requires no battery and will last longer than I will.  They are a little pricey but you can buy old ones on eBay pretty cheap.  I think they've been making them exactly the same for over 50 years and the old ones are as good as the new ones.  Spring scales are great for setting your drag. 

 

I'm a stickler for accuracy and have a set of calibration weights that I used to check the accuracy of my scales.  To be honest, every scale I have checked has been more than accurate enough for casual use.  Even the cheap digital scales. 

 

I also use a Rapala grip because @A-Jay recommends them ?.

 

 

We’re fishing mostly in the northeast and the bass we’d be weighing are typically in the 3-6lbs range.  Spring scales in my experience aren’t good for that sized fish. Thoughts on that?

I went with the KastKing Madbite for one reason, it's waterproof. That it also floats is just icing on the cake.

 

During my saltwater escapades in the 60s & 70s, I used a ‘Chatillon’ scale.

At that time, Chatillon was the flagship scale, and debatably still is today.

Over time, I migrated to a ‘Brecknell’ digital scale, which I used for several years.

Today I use an ‘Accu-Cull’ digital scale (55-lb cap w/ 38” tape). It’s not the Holy Grail, but does a fine job.

Yes...I HATE batteries      

 

Roger  

Similar to the above, I use a Rapala digital culling scale for exact weights, but have had a Chatillon spring scale forever as a backup and a “confirmer” if necessary. It works 100% of the time regardless of weather or battery status ? ...and yes, they are just as accurate at the 3-6lb weight range, though they all weigh in increments.

2 hours ago, PeteFin said:

We’re fishing mostly in the northeast and the bass we’d be weighing are typically in the 3-6lbs range.  Spring scales in my experience aren’t good for that sized fish. Thoughts on that?

Chatillon makes 11 different models of the IN series including models with a maximum capacity of 2lbs, 4lbs, 6lbs, 10lbs, 12lbs and 15lbs.  I bought my first when I was a teenager (1970s).  I got the 4lb model thinking if I ever caught a bass bigger than that I would probably take it home and get it mounted.  Fortunately, I underestimated the size of the bass I would catch in the future.  I carry a 6lb and 12lb model now. 

 

I'm a firm believer in checking your drag regularly with a spring scale.  I learned that lesson in the 1990s when I lost the smallmouth of a lifetime because my drag was locked down.  The performance of a drag is more complex than people realize.  It will start to slip at a higher point than where it will continuously slip (static vs dynamic friction).  A spring scale gives you a very good feel for how your drag performs. 

 

I also carry a Brecknell ElectoSamson scale to weight my bigger fish.  It's the one used my MLF.  I have found it to be accurate to about 1/4 ounce most of the time and always within 1/2 ounce.  It clearly wasn't designed for use on a bass boat so I have to be careful with it.  

 

I'm under the influence of a very rare creature,  the scale monkey. ?

Whatever one you decide to use...please just make sure you aren’t using one with a hook. The ones with grips or clamp are so much safer for the fish. The ones with the stupid hook are an accident waiting to happen. The fish can easily come off while you’re trying to weigh it and then it smacks down onto the floor or ground. The hook also can slide up into the gills and cause damage.

6 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Whatever one you decide to use...please just make sure you aren’t using one with a hook. The ones with grips or clamp are so much safer for the fish. The ones with the stupid hook are an accident waiting to happen. The fish can easily come off while you’re trying to weigh it and then it smacks down onto the floor or ground. The hook also can slide up into the gills and cause damage.

I got one with a hook - took that off and added a carabiner than I clip my Rapala grip into when I want to weigh.

 

Love this one. Got it for like $15 few years ago and added the Rapala gripper AJ mentioned. Works great

 

Says ReelSonar on it. Not sure if that's the brand or not 

 

This pic was last week when I landed my PB. Still super pumped haha 

 

3 hours ago, PeteFin said:

Thanks!  If we’re looking for casual use and on bass that are typically maxing out around 6+lbs would this do the trick, ya think?

We’re fishing mostly in the northeast and the bass we’d be weighing are typically in the 3-6lbs range.  Spring scales in my experience aren’t good for that sized fish. Thoughts on that?

Yes.

Perfectly 

A-Jay

 

7 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Been using this one for several years ~

Quite successfully I might add.

Since taking this pic, 

I changed the grip to the 6 inch Rapala grip

(White)

It offers more space between the 'jaws',

which comes in handy time to time. 

A-Jay, I've read two reviews that suggest that this scale is extremely susceptible to damage from water.  One reviewer said that a very light rain (one that didn't even make him put his phone away) permanently damaged the scale.  Has yours gotten wet at all or anything to offer on this?

Just now, BigAngus752 said:

A-Jay, I've read two reviews that suggest that this scale is extremely susceptible to damage from water.  One reviewer said that a very light rain (one that didn't even make him put his phone away) permanently damaged the scale.  Has yours gotten wet at all or anything to offer on this?

Good to know.

Here's another review for you . . . 

I have not have any problems with it.

I use it in my canoe.

I use it in the Pro-V Bass.

And I think we're up to 8 or 9 trips to Mexico with it as well.

Pretty sure I haven't submerged the thing but 

it's been pretty wet a time or two.

Still making it happen.

A-Jay

16 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Good to know.

Here's another review for you . . . 

I have not have any problems with it.

I use it in my canoe.

I use it in the Pro-V Bass.

And I think we're up to 8 or 9 trips to Mexico with it as well.

Pretty sure I haven't submerged the thing but 

it's been pretty wet a time or two.

Still making it happen.

A-Jay

10-4

11 hours ago, Chonch12 said:

Love this one. Got it for like $15 few years ago and added the Rapala gripper AJ mentioned. Works great

 

Says ReelSonar on it. Not sure if that's the brand or not 

 

This pic was last week when I landed my PB. Still super pumped haha 

That's the same unit I got and modded. It's a 'generic' unit that several different companies put their own name on.

14 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Chatillon makes 11 different models of the IN series including models with a maximum capacity of 2lbs, 4lbs, 6lbs, 10lbs, 12lbs and 15lbs.  I bought my first when I was a teenager (1970s).  I got the 4lb model thinking if I ever caught a bass bigger than that I would probably take it home and get it mounted.  Fortunately, I underestimated the size of the bass I would catch in the future.  I carry a 6lb and 12lb model now.

^ good scales

 

I believe on the more modern Chatillon scales, the 12lb scale has marks that are in 1/8 lbs increments while the other scales have 1/4 lbs increments.

4 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

^ good scales

 

I believe on the more modern Chatillon scales, the 12lb scale has marks that are in 1/8 lbs increments while the other scales have 1/4 lbs increments.

I would bet that I'm not the only FOG on here with one of these:

5 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I would bet that I'm not the only FOG on here with one of these:

I've the 'Zebco' labeled version of that floating around someplace.

8 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I would bet that I'm not the only FOG on here with one of these:

Man that's a  blast from the past.   Pretty sure mine died a rusty corroded death in the bottom of one of my first tackle boxes.  Which was also metal.

Circa 1972- ish.

A-Jay 

6 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I would bet that I'm not the only FOG on here with one of these:

NOw you got me looking, but I know I have one too!

 

7 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

That's the same unit I got and modded. It's a 'generic' unit that several different companies put their own name on.

That makes a lot of sense because I've seen this with other "names" on it. Can't complain though works well for me so far (knock on wood)

6 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I would bet that I'm not the only FOG on here with one of these:

 

 That brought a tear to my eye  

 

Roger

7 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I would bet that I'm not the only FOG on here with one of these:

Also as a side note - 

Did anyone actually figure out how one was actually suppose to weigh a fish on this thing ?

I never caught anything worth using it on but 

that foolish little 'hook' was only like 1/2 inch long !

Did you go for eye socket ?

A-Jay