I’m needing some new scales but before I go buy some what ones do you guys like? I’m looking for some that would be waterproof, rugged, decent battery life, and of course accurate. Would love to hear some opinions on what would work well in a kayak since that’s what most of my fishing is out of.
I dont know about waterproof, but reelsonar is pretty good
I tried a lot of digitals and could never find one that gave consistent readings so I bought a Boga several years ago and haven't looked back.
i have a cabelas and a berkely digital scale.
checked them both against my balance scale.
both are dead on.
not sure if either are waterproof.
had to fish the cabelas scale out of the lake after a frisky Smallmouth ripped it out of my hands. it still works.
On 9/27/2017 at 12:23 AM, bigturtle said:I dont know about waterproof, but reelsonar is pretty good
I second the reelsonar and I use the rapala fish gripper instead of the one it came with.
I'm curious about this too.
Rapala Tournament touch screen for most fish. Certified Chatillon spring scale for beasties
Boga for accuracy and reliability...
Also bought a luggage scale off eBay based on another
poster here on the forums. It works well, pretty accurate,
as well.
Just got my reelsonar in the mail yesterday and i like it so far. Paired it with the 6" Rapala grips. It's close enough on accuracy for me.
On 9/27/2017 at 9:15 AM, Team9nine said:Rapala Tournament touch screen for most fish.
I have the same one, replaced my cheaper handheld rapala digital a few months back when that one started reading inaccurately. Very accurate and makes culling a breeze.
A-Jay
I use a 2.99$ luggage scale from Amazon. had for 3 years throw it around left out in rain. Still working on the same batteries.
I have one of the cheap Rapala scales. I've had it for about 10 years now and it works pretty good.
I use the Gambler electronic scales. I had the Rapala ones, but they are not waterproof and did not last very long. The Gambler ones are waterproof. I like the idea of certified scales like the Boga's, but they are expensive and difficult to read.
I have a chinese cheap one. seems to work okay, i measured a reel with it and it had the same measurement as the reel's box said. Whenever i catch a fish I always forget to weigh it i still need to find a grip for the scale, it has one of those hooks that are meant to go in the gills **cringe**. Great way to kill fish.
Ive been using this one,but replaced the hook with a lip gripper. Its worked great for me,and spot on accurate.
http://www.chatillon-scales.com/products/handheld-scales/in-series-fish-and-game-linear-handheld-scales
These are great, accurate scales.
I have a spring scale , dont know the make . It reads the same as my digital . It has a marker that stays in place once the fish is removed . So put the fish on the scale , release fish , then read the weight .
On 9/27/2017 at 8:55 PM, J Francho said:http://www.chatillon-scales.com/products/handheld-scales/in-series-fish-and-game-linear-handheld-scales
These are great, accurate scales.
Mine are similar but cheaper .
On 9/27/2017 at 7:50 PM, Largemouth21 said:Whenever i catch a fish I always forget to weigh it
Thats what I say too .
An accurate scale ruined a good, long run of "five pounders."
On 9/27/2017 at 10:16 PM, J Francho said:An accurate scale ruined a good, long run of "five pounders."
Ha-ha, yup! I much prefer my "hand scale"...
I have a Berkeley digital scale that my niece gave me for Christmas several years ago. It's accurate (yes, Ive checked it against a certified scale) and I've only had to replace the batteries once. I don't weigh very many of the fish that I catch. I don't really care most of the time.
Tom
Any digital scale is only as accurate as the battery power, lithium batteries are good but still need to be changed every 2 years or sooner.
Spring scales can be accurate depending on the scale increments and parallax of the reading.
Any scale that can be adjusted to calibrate it can be certified by local weights and measures offices, the IGFA accepts current W&M certs and also certifies scales.
Your scale should be accurate within 0.1 lb (1.6 oz) of the reading, most digitalis are well within that range, most 20 lb rated spring scales are difficult to read on under 2 oz increments.
Compact size water proof scale that floats would ideal for a kayak, what is your budget? A-Jays Accu-Cul scale may be water proof?
Tom
I use a small boga grip. No batteries to fail me, waterproof, dual purpose for toothy fish, plenty accurate.
On 9/27/2017 at 8:53 PM, KDW96 said:Ive been using this one,but replaced the hook with a lip gripper. Its worked great for me,and spot on accurate.
what grip did you use and how did you replace it?
i have the small rapala digital scales and they're quite accurate. every time i start to doubt them they check out fine against a known weight.
On 9/28/2017 at 3:40 AM, Largemouth21 said:what grip did you use and how did you replace it?
I can't speak for the poster, but I just got the Rapala Floating Fish Gripper and am going to replace the hook with it by using a pair of pliers to open the circle at the top of the hook and removing it from there, then attaching the fish gripper.
Budget is I dunno $50 and below maybe. By the way thanks for all the replies I’m going to start shopping here in the next few days.