I hooked a school bus size largemouth down on the river bank earlier this evening and I wish I had a way to measure its weight.  What kind of devices are handy to bring out to the water to measure lbs.?    

A scale?  

Fish that are in the "school bus" range need to be weighed on truck scales.

Fish around here tend to be a bit smaller, and I have pretty good luck with one of these.

sweet one...need to go up to 10 lbs.  any ideas for brands?

Did you take a picture of that school bus sized fish , you do that with a camera.

Ah, cut the guy some slack.

I would invest in a good digital scale (about $20.00) The spring scale I use that is similar to the one pictured is inaccurate the lower the weight. It's nearly dead on at 10 lbs but near 5 it can be up to 1 lb off. I checked the weight by measuring dumbbells that are gathering dust while I fish.

Also get a cellphone capable of taking pictures or a disposable camera to keep in your tackle box. If you do go with disposable, get the 12 exposure one and develop it often. You leave those lying around too long especially exposed to sun and your pics may not develop.

Good luck.

I found an Argus Bean water resistant camera for 49.99 5mp and clips on tacklebox. I really like it. I also carry a measuring tape and they have a great link to estimate weight on this site. Measure Length and girth and enter numbers.

I've got the berkeley digital 50# scale it is accurate enough for me.  I found it for like $10.  Avoid the spring scales at all cost.

I've got the berkeley digital 50# scale it is accurate enough for me. I found it for like $10. Avoid the spring scales at all cost.

Spring scales and digital scales both have the ability to be dead on or way off. The only way to know for sure is to test with known weights.

I've tested my digital with weights and what not and it is dead on.

I've tested my digital with weights and what not and it is dead on.

  The only true way to tell if your scale is dead on is to have it certified.Or check it against a certified scale.Go to the store and buy a jug of water ,at the check out have the cashier weigh it.On there certified scale.(post office will work also.)Take a marker and write the weight on it.Do this with a gallon and a half gallon.Then you will have certified weights to check your scale with.You may be surprized

So what exactly does a what not weigh? :

I've got the berkeley digital 50# scale it is accurate enough for me. I found it for like $10. Avoid the spring scales at all cost.

lol BOGA GRIP

I'm really not trying to defend spring scales. I use a digital scale and appreciate the easy to read display. I also have a spring scale that I trust and keep as a backup.

I like to suggest spring scales because they can be bought for less than $5, thus are affordable to all and may someday put an end to posts that ask;

"So how much do you think this weighs?"

my berkely tec works well, its expensive but accurate to within an ounce