Panfish weighing scale?

[Jeff Soto]

This question may have been asked months ago... Does anyone know if there is an affordable, digital or standard weigh scale available that is compact in size, but fairly accurate when it comes down to weighing the smaller gamefish like Bluegill and crappie? Something that will weigh 1 to 5 pounds? I want one like this for my tackle bag and float tube.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The one I have is a South Bend spring tension scale. It is small and compact and I dont think I paid more than $4 for it.

But I doubt it offers much in the way of absolute accuracy. It will get you to within a few ounces and after that you gotta accept it's limits.

You might consider one of the counter weight, postal scales. They are fairly compact, if a bit fiddly to work with. However, they are accurate by design. I haven't seen them in years, but they can still be had off ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/POSTAL-SCALE-w-POUCH-Hand-Held-Pocket-Letter-g-...

 

Then there are the cheap China, digital scales. These are the best of modern mass produced efficiency, if a bit fragile for field use. But they are cheap - did I mention that?...

http://cgi.ebay.com/POSTAL-SCALE-w-POUCH-Hand-Held-Pocket-Letter-g-...

 

Or just try searching for "fishing scale," "hand held scale," "luggage scale," etc on ebay.  A bunch of options come up.

[Vic Tankersley]

The drug dealers in your area probably have the best ones but you need to get the one with the conversion from Kilos to pounds..LOL ....sorry couldn't resist that one...kidding aside. the small digital scales used by Pawn Shops may be the answer but I'm not sure of the range. Machinists use springs scales that are very accurate and calibrated for precission use, but are expensive..I would sugest a cheap spring scale and if you have caught a nice big fish you can always take it somewhere with calibrated grocery scales for a more accurate weight..Sorry about the funny

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

@ Vic - I was gonna also mention the scales WE used back in the good 'ol, free wheeling "hippie days," (wink, wink). It might be noted they were the postal type handhelds mentioned above...

 

Jeff, I took the plunge and ordered one of the cheap China handhelds off ebay. Total cost was $3.58 shipped. The specs read like this:

Weight: 75gr, Size:10 x 5 x 2cm (3 oz, 4 x 2 x 1 inch)

Max Weighing: 40Kg

Min Weighing: 20g

Weight Modes: Kg, lb, oz , Jin

Temperature display

Tare mode and locking mode

Auto power off function

Low power alarm

Power supply: 2 x 1.5V AAA batteries
 

 

Ill let you know how it works when I get it.

 

[John Sheehan]

Jeff -Check this out :http://bigbluegill.com/forum/topics/weighing-bluegill

 

[J. B. Hillard]

I have a cheap Berkley digital scale. I think it was $19.95 on sale at Cabela's.   It weighs in .lb. and .oz.  I didn't realize it just weighed in  the full ounce.  This is fine for most people but some like a scale that shows hundredths. i. e.   2.68   rather than 2.7

[Rob Hilton]

Hey Jeff...

I have a Digital Scale made by Normark...  Runs on a a single 9 volt battery... weighs fish up to 5 lbs..

Very accurate and the great thing is it has a TARE feature which enables you to weigh the fish in a net... bag or even a bucket... I prefer this method because I hate to see any fisherman sticking a hook scale into a fishes mouth or gills. Takes a while to get used to it because unlike a regular scale the spring doesn't actually move... seems weird at first but you'll get used to it. Great scale for our type of fishing Mate... 

[Jeff Soto]

Hey thanks Rob!  When I'm out at Perris in my 'tube (which has been a lot lately), I get a lot of fish where I'm just basically guessing their weights.  I would like to get a scale that is not too expensive and is small and accurate.  Jim's got that gold spring scale on the boat, which he says is accurate, might get one of those, but your Normark sounds good,  Where did you get yours?  

When are we going fishing?  

[Rob Hilton]

Welcome Jeff...... It's small enough for float tube fishing too...  Approx 5" Long X 2.5" Wide X 1" Thick... Very light

[Brian Saeger]

Rob's suggestion was the first thought that I had.  Using the tare feature would be an easy way to optimize the use of the scale.  I was thinking that the Frabill EZ Checker, attached to the scale and tared out, might be a good way use a scale and measure the length of the fish.

[Cliff Hilbert]

I used to fly fish for records here in Texas and found the Normark and Berkley scales to be several ounces off the actual weight of the fish. Just because a scale is digital doesn't mean that it will be accurate. The only ones that I trusted were the ones in grocery stores, feed stores or tackle stores that sold minnows by the pound.

[Jeff Soto]

That's fine Cliff if you are near a store, but I'm a C & R guy and I'm out in a float tube.  Wanted a small portable model...

[Tim Overbaugh]

I have a Normark 10 lb. that is very accurate.   Had it for years and is still running strong.   I would think the one Rob mentioned would be a good choice.