rboat Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Maybe it is just me, but why do people feel the need to weigh their fish? Unless you are in a tournament, does it really matter? A big fish is a big fish. Is it pride or the pursuit of a new personal best? I see some guys on the water weigh every catch. To me it is more important to get the fish back in the water quickly, especially in the heat of summer. Take a photo if you want, but is the weight also necessary? If the fish is a true trophy, then for sure get a weight on it. I don't think it really matters if it is a 4.5 or a 5.5, that is still a nice catch anywhere. Your thoughts? 1 Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 . Your thoughts? Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 For some anglers size matters and they want a accurate weight of thier bass, it's part of fishing in general. Tom Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 People who don't weigh bass tend to catch a ton of 5-6 lbers and even a few 8's. People who weigh fish tend to catch more 3-5 lbers with a couple 5-6's thrown in. 13 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 If you use a boga grip as part of the unhooking process reading the scale takes no time at all. I don't weigh every fish just the nicer ones. But my right to weigh a fish is just as important as your right not to. Everybodys different. 7 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Re-posted because I think it applies & it's Funny After compiling & tabulating years & years of fish weighing data, the following “How Much Does This Weigh?” Scale has finally been completed. This most accurate unit of measure is particularly effective for those who have never owned a scale, refuse to purchase one and or have never weighed more than 3 fish in their entire life. And best of all it is being offered right here & now for the first time, totally Free of charge. See Below ~ If you (as the angler who landed said bass) believe the fish in question to be . . . . Between 3-5 pounds – the actual weight is at least 1 pound less than you think it is. Between 5-7 pounds – the actual weight is at least 2 pounds less than you think it is. Between 8-10 pounds – the actual weight is at least 3 pounds less than you think it is. Over 10 pounds – at this point our scale varies so widely that we cannot publish the results at this time. For those anglers who may have a question regarding the accuracy of these findings – get a scale. And see for yourself. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. A-Jay 9 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 I use displacement. Mass is so millennial. 2 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Maybe it is just me, but why do people feel the need to weigh their fish? Unless you are in a tournament, does it really matter? A big fish is a big fish. Is it pride or the pursuit of a new personal best? I see some guys on the water weigh every catch. To me it is more important to get the fish back in the water quickly, especially in the heat of summer. Take a photo if you want, but is the weight also necessary? If the fish is a true trophy, then for sure get a weight on it. I don't think it really matters if it is a 4.5 or a 5.5, that is still a nice catch anywhere. Your thoughts? It isn't just you. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Why bother with a picture? Why bother even lifting the fish out of the water? Why not just dispense with hooks altogether? Better yet, I can stay home and play video games, and make up fish stories. The point is, who's business is it of yours if someone enjoys the competitive nature of fishing, whether it's a tournament or not? You never see the guys that weigh fish ask why you don't, unless you start making claims - which is pretty funny. So why are you concerned with the guy that does weigh them? 6 Quote
Captain America Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 I only ever weigh big ones (for me thats like 4 lbs), my personal best was never measured though, I just know that it is my biggest. Quote
Super User senile1 Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 I only ever weigh big ones (for me thats like 4 lbs), my personal best was never measured though, I just know that it is my biggest. I'm similar. I don't weigh every fish but when they start to get chunky I want to be accurate when I tell someone a fish story. Pictures help too. Honesty and integrity require it. And we all take pride in catching larger fish which is nothing to be ashamed of. Whose heart doesn't race when he or she realizes they have a huge fish on the line. I want to know how big that fish really is. I don't want to guess and I surely don't want to overestimate. If I am not telling anyone about my fishing experience, then I guess a picture and and actual weighing of the fish aren't necessary because there is no chance of providing inaccurate information in that case. 4 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Once one begins accurately weighing fish, it doesn't take long to realize just how big a true five pound bass actually is. A-Jay 10 Quote
Mainebass1984 Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 If is 3 pounds or over I am weighing it. Its just the way I have been for years and years. It is part of the fishing log I have kept for much longer then a decade. I like to weigh fish. I like to be able to tell people how big the bass was when I am asked. I like to keep track of my 5 fish bag. If you don't want to weigh or take a picture of your fish then don't. I like to do both. I am not taking a picture unless it is over 5 lbs though. Each to their own. 3 Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 By the time ya get your cell out! I've weighed it already 5 Quote
rboat Posted February 24, 2015 Author Posted February 24, 2015 Why bother with a picture? Why bother even lifting the fish out of the water? Why not just dispense with hooks altogether? Better yet, I can stay home and play video games, and make up fish stories. The point is, who's business is it of yours if someone enjoys the competitive nature of fishing, whether it's a tournament or not? You never see the guys that weigh fish ask why you don't, unless you start making claims - which is pretty funny. So why are you concerned with the guy that does weigh them? Sorry J, I wasn't knocking anyone or making it my business. I think some took my content in the wrong manner. I really don't care either way. I was simply curious and wondered if I was missing out by not weighing the fish I catch. 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Not really missing out, just stupid debates about who's is bigger. Bass, I mean, lol. 3 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Not really missing out, just stupid debates about who's is bigger. Bass, I mean, lol. You almost got yourself censored. LOL. 3 Quote
Super User senile1 Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 There are some reasons for weighing bass other than competitive reasons. After you weigh a few bigger fish, you have at least some idea of what a big fish really is in your area. That way you will know when you have a big fish on, rather than being like some who call a 3 lb fish a 5 lb'er. After weighing a few, you know which ones deserve to be weighed and which ones can be release immediately for the most part. Of course those that are on the cusp of being large get weighed so that you know for sure. Weighing fish also allows you to gauge your improvement. If you are one whose goal is to catch bigger fish, you need some empirical evidence so that you know if you are reaching your goal or not. For someone like me, it is also about competing with myself and sharing the experience. I don't get on the water enough every year to be as good as some of the sticks on this forum; and even if I did, who's to say I could ever be that good. The numbers of big fish I catch are far less than someone who puts 100 - 150 days a year on the water. Anglers with that experience know what they are doing and it would be quite hubristic of me to try to compete with them. However, when I catch a decent fish I will post it and share it with everyone. We all enjoy pictures of nice fish no matter who catches it and it is enjoyable to give each other a pat on the back for nice fish. It is difficult to pat someone on the back when the fish looks to be 4 lbs and the poster states that it weighs 7, though most of us do without saying a word. Using a scale allows us to avoid these situations. 6 Quote
Super User RoLo Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Take a photo if you want, but is the weight also necessary? If the fish is a true trophy, then for sure get a weight on it. I don't think it really matters if it is a 4.5 or a 5.5, that is still a nice catch anywhere. Your thoughts? I weigh every trophy bass I land, that way I know whether I'm going to get 4, 6 or 8 fillets JK 2 Quote
grampa1114 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Ah yes....the affects of a hard winter effect us all....John , don't forget that this is exactly why we have fishing forums.....Steam is built up all winter and 0 degree days don't help. So fellas just remember how many opinions that there really are.... I don't care if you weigh your fish or not, I don't even care if you are accurate........but you should. JMHO Grampa Quote
plumworm Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I have a scale in my boat for one reason and used it only once in '14. To qualify a PB. I'm glad I had it when my best fishing buddy of 35 years caught his PB on Guntersville last spring. May never use it again. Or? Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 25, 2015 Global Moderator Posted February 25, 2015 Part of every good story is the details. I'd much rather be able to say I caught one that was 21 1/4" long and 5lbs 6ozs, versus I caught one about this big and probably weighed this much. I don't weigh every fish, just the ones that are better than average quality. A-Jay has a slick rig for weighing fish quickly that he's posted pictures of a couple times that I'll be using this year. Hang a pair of plastic fish grippers on a digital scale and you can grab and weigh the fish quickly and safely for both the angler and the fish. 4 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 I may be wrong in my interpretation of the original post, I had the feeling it was in reference to weighing every or almost every fish caught. I know have seen posts of people weighing fish 1-2# while their PB is over 5#, that I don't see the point of. Everyone approaches fishing "doing their own thing", if weighing them is that thing, well then go4it. I don't weigh fish myself, I will admit if catch a good one I'm as curious as the next person. If some one happens to be around with a scale, that's cool but I choose not to carry one. 1 Quote
Super User Lund Explorer Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Maybe it is just me, but why do people feel the need to weigh their fish? Unless you are in a tournament, does it really matter? A big fish is a big fish. Is it pride or the pursuit of a new personal best? I see some guys on the water weigh every catch. To me it is more important to get the fish back in the water quickly, especially in the heat of summer. Take a photo if you want, but is the weight also necessary? If the fish is a true trophy, then for sure get a weight on it. I don't think it really matters if it is a 4.5 or a 5.5, that is still a nice catch anywhere. Your thoughts? Everybody has their own definition of success, and some just feel that a scale is how they justify it. I choose not to use a scale because it doesn't fit with what I'm looking for. Nobody's choice is better or worse than the next guys. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 i dont think my scales work. The bass never weigh as much as they should . 2 Quote
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