Weighing a big Cat properly

[JimBuck]

I've been searching around for a scale that I can weigh some of the larger fish that happen to make there way onto the floor of my boat this year. I've looked at quite a few options and one thing that I have a problem with is hanging these fish by a small hook in order to get a proper weight. It just doesn't seem healthy for the fish. I was wondering what others do for a safe and accurate weight of a larger fish? Does anyone lug a household scale into the boat? Use a net? Magic? I'm curious how people properly weigh and release a bigger cat without doing harm to these awesome animals.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Use a net or a mesh duck decoy bag.

[Scott K]

Just measure it and use dtro's formula

[JimBuck]

I have that formula printed out and sitting in the boat, handy tool. I've just always thought that once those big girls reach 40+ lbs. it can vary? I haven't had the chance to haul in something of that size but if/when it does...I'd like to be prepared.

[Shack]

Right from the "Pro" him self . Pay attention at 3:05 during this video:

[DTro]

I mentioned this before, but I think I might try bringing a bathroom scale out in the boat and try that.

Those 50lb fish are super hard to weigh no matter with net, bag, sling or whatever. I had enough trouble to know that if I was to ever catch a monster over 60 I'd want alternative means to weigh it.

Any yes the formula will vary, but at the same time will get you in the ballpark.

[flatheadhunter87]

Thats all that really matters anyways unless your talking a record. Then you have to go about things a diffrent way. If you know what i mean.

[PierBridge]

I 2ND weighing the fish in your net.

Please Video Tape the Weighing of a 50 plus pound Flathead while balancing on a bathroom scale in a Boat.

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

So I'm glad that this came up. Would a personal weight scale ( like one you would stand on ) work for weighing at fish.

[RAB]

Please Video Tape the Weighing of a 50 plus pound Flathead while balancing on a bathroom scale in a Boat.

Yes that should be interesting.

On my trips to the James we weighed about a dozen blue cats from 40-54 pounds in the net without any trouble. What sort of problems were you having Darren?

[hanson]

What sort of problems were you having Darren?

Muscle weakness?

[A.W.Wolfram]

[Larry FlatCaster]

What sort of problems were you having Darren?

MMMM... I'm gonna say boat size and lay out...

[DTro]

Originally Posted By: RAB

What sort of problems were you having Darren?

Muscle weakness?

[DTro]

Originally Posted By: RAB

What sort of problems were you having Darren?

MMMM... I'm gonna say boat size and lay out...

yeah, just not enough space. I had to stand on the middle seat to get the fish high enough off the ground. Then my scale only works right if the hook is plumb. Just a bunch of things working against each other.

[hanson]

Somehow I knew that was coming. Good times!

[DTro]

Good times!

Indeed

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Originally Posted By: hanson

Originally Posted By: RAB

What sort of problems were you having Darren?

Muscle weakness?

HAHA that is funny right there!

[Scott M]

Originally Posted By: dtro

Originally Posted By: hanson

Originally Posted By: RAB

What sort of problems were you having Darren?

Muscle weakness?

HAHA that is funny right there!

Lifting with his strongest muscle?

[crazyice]

LOL!

[hanson]

And to think Darren went frame by frame through that video looking for the "best" shot.

[DTro]

You know me oh too well

[Slowhand]

Originally Posted By: hanson

Originally Posted By: RAB

What sort of problems were you having Darren?

Muscle weakness?

So we're pecking on the bloody chicken in the coop 'eh? That is some funny laughs there. If we can start a grassroots charity here in the forum I'll be more than willing to throw acouple bucks into it....something Like Save Hanson's Seed Foundation. I vote with our funds we get the poor fellows a gimbal belt for their owner .

[DTro]

I totally forgot that this deal I bought from Shackbash last year has a 125lb scale.

It works very good too. I saved a ton of room in my boat by replacing my big net with that.

Looks like he has another one for sale too.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ub..._XL_Lock#UNREAD

[Shack]

Ya, they do work slick ! Very well built!

I got 3 on sale last year and could not pass them up. I forgot I had this one still untill the other day when I was going threw my boat stuff. I got the one for Dtro and the other for a buddy of mine and he never picked it up. I called him the other day and he is short on funds because of a lay-off. So, I figured I would see if any FM'ers want a deal