Most anglers will want to weigh the fish they catch. Whether it is for personal reasons or to make sure that they are remaining in line with the required size restrictions of the area, a fish scale can be a tremendous asset to any fishing gear.
Even commercial anglers utilize fish scales to help keep track of valuable information pertaining to the type of fish they are catching as well as their overall well-being and size.
To gain all the benefits of using a fish scale on your next trip, it is important to understand how to weigh the fish to gain the most accurate measurements and readings. Advancements in technology have led to many new fish scales becoming available, and they are also easy to use.
Digital scales, for example, have been designed to offer more convenient and impressive features over the traditional fish scales of the past.
Digital Fish Scales
Digital fish scales can provide the angler with much more accurate information over traditional scales. When a digital scale is used in a more competitive type of environment, it is better known as a catch and release scale.
A digital scale will typically have an LCD screen and a hook which allow for more accurate readings and an overall easier process that is almost effortless. When you are purchasing a digital scale, you should consider how much weight you think you will need it to be able to register and read.
Weight Measurements
The most common digital fish scales that are available can weigh a fish from 5 pounds, ten pounds, twenty, and up to fifty pounds. The higher you go with the weight you need to measure, the lower the chances of accuracy may be.
Also, if you need a scale that will be able to read a higher weight, then you may end up paying a bit more for it than a digital scale that is meant to read the smaller weights.
Reading Ease
Digital fish scales have LCD screens that display the information. The larger the display, then the easier it is to read. Add in the frustration of the elements that can interfere with trying to get a reading like rain or bright sun; you may want to consider choosing a slightly larger screen to be able to read it easier.
Some digital scales can also store the different weights of the fish which is helpful when you want to be able to access a record of the weight of the fish you have been catching.
The Handles of the Scale
The handles of the scale may also be important to consider if you are going to be using the fish scale to weigh larger fish. The handle of the digital scale will need to be strong enough to hold the heavier weight of the fish and ensure that you have a sturdy and strong grip while it is weighing.
Finally, you will want to make sure the digital scale is waterproof. While most currently available models are, there are some that may not be, so it is always a good idea to double check this.
Battery Life
Digital scales are typically equipped with a built-in and automatic battery shutoff and will power the scale off after one minute has passed. Doing so will help save battery power and does not require the angler to remember to flip a switch every time the scale needs to be used.
If you are trying to find a scale that does not benefit from this feature, then you may have to continue to look long and hard to find one that doesn’t have this convenient function as a prerequisite.
Spring Fish Scales
Spring fish scales are another type of fish scale that anglers may commonly use and are a more basic style of scale. The fish is hung from the hook that has been affixed to the scale, and then a spring lever is pulled downwards along a weight chart that is lined. When the lever stops moving, that is the weight of the fish on the hook.
If you want a spring fish scale that provides you with more accuracy, then you can expect to pay more out of pocket for a scale that uses a more high-quality spring.
If the springs are inferior and lesser quality, they can become weak and stretch over time and use, and this can result in providing weights that are way out of the range of what they actually are.
While accuracy may not be the best and can prove to be a challenge, spring scales also carry many advantages. One of the most significant benefits of a spring scale is not having to worry about batteries to power the scale. The scale is ready to go whenever you need it. Additionally, many of the spring fish scales are made to be rust resistant, and the hooks are commonly made of stainless steel.
When choosing a spring scale, some of the same considerations apply as when choosing a digital scale. Determine the average weight of the fish you think you will need to measure. To do this, consider the fish you routinely go for. If the fish tend to be a bit larger, then you will want to find a spring fish scale adequate enough to hold more weight and provide a better measurement.
The size of the hook will also play a crucial role when it comes to weighing fish. A smaller hook will not let you effectively and accurately weigh larger fish. However, a medium hook will be suitable for most occasions.
Final Thoughts
Amazon has a wide selection of digital fish scales as well as spring fish scales available for purchase. When determining which is the right fish scale for your next trip, consider the average size of the fish you will be targeting, the weather conditions which may make it harder to read a digital scale, and your accessibility to a power source like batteries if you choose a digital scale over a spring scale.
