How accurate are you estimating a fishes weight ?

[Bird]

Evidently I'm not that good.

Today we fished and for fun, weighed every fish we caught.

My buddy hooked a good one and I estimated a 6lb fish, it weighed 4.11. 

I then hooked one and swore during the fight that it would exceed 8lbs and thought the same in the net.

It weighed 6.9.

I need to recalibrate my eyes because was off respectfully on every fish we caught.

It's been years since I've broke the 8lb mark but without digital scales......it would happen every time out. ?

[Jar11591]

When I got a scale 10 years ago, my fish all started to weigh less. Now that I have an idea of what fish weights actually look like, my guesses are on the conservative side and usually come out a few ounces under once the fish gets on the scale. 
 

Last year I had my most egregious under estimate. I caught one and said “this one might go 4”. Ended up 4-13 on the scale. Almost a pound under estimated. Not sure what was going on with me there lol 

[T-Billy]

I'm usually within 1/4#. 

[Fishin Dad]

At the beginning of each season, it takes a little while to get dialed back in, but once I get a day or two of good fish catches, I get pretty close.  It helps in tournaments when you get on them and need to make an assessment quick if you even need to weigh a fish. 

40 minutes ago, Bird said:

Evidently I'm not that good.

Today we fished and for fun, weighed every fish we caught.

My buddy hooked a good one and I estimated a 6lb fish, it weighed 4.11. 

I then hooked one and swore during the fight that it would exceed 8lbs and thought the same in the net.

It weighed 6.9.

I need to recalibrate my eyes because was off respectfully on every fish we caught.

It's been years since I've broke the 8lb mark but without digital scales......it would happen every time out. ?

Bird, those are some solid fish in Virginia!   I am jealous.  

[gim]

I’m pretty good at estimating a length, since I measure a lot more fish than I weigh. Can usually get it within 1/2 inch.

[DitchPanda]

I'm usually pretty close...within 3-4oz either way. Last year I caught me I estimated at 5.5...put her on the scale she was 5.43. Later I caught one I estimated at 5 she was 5.24. I sometimes big eye and some times under gun...but I'm relatively close.

[geo g]

If you get a length and girth and use the charts pretty good.  If I just eyeball many times heavy.

[casts_by_fly]

Within a half pound or better. Start of the season I’ll weigh the first couple fish of every trip for weight and length. Fish around here of normal build will be about a half pound per inch. 20-21” will be really close to 5#. And 18” fish is a solid 3.5#. Anything under 18” is just a quick length and throw it back. 

[Koz]

2 hours ago, Bird said:

My buddy hooked a good one and I estimated a 6lb fish, it weighed 4.11. 

I then hooked one and swore during the fight that it would exceed 8lbs and thought the same in the net.

It weighed 6.9.

 

It seems there's a simple solution what ails you: subtract 2 from your initial guess ?

[TnRiver46]

So you’re saying you caught a 6.9 lb bass today?? Well congratulations!!! I haven’t done that in about 15+ years 

[A-Jay]

A-Jay

[bowhunter63]

I’m as accurate as a drunk tv weatherman So not even close 

[Hammer 4]

Use to be fairly good at guessing weight. Lately with my failing eyesight, not so much lol

[thediscochef]

I'm decent at it with bass, though not so much when it's been a while since I had a big fish

 

[Dwight Hottle]

I’m pretty accurate on smallmouth as I have weighed & measured a bunch. Largemouth I’m pretty accurate with fish I personally see or catch. The ones that perplex my senses are fish pictures. Some fish actually look bigger than actual weight   But they are in the minority. The fish pics that don’t give a fish true justice are the foolers. The recent 10.14 smallmouth caught in Canadian waters by Ohio anglers just doesn’t look like a ten pounder to me but it obviously was officially weighed on certified scales for the record. Some pics just don’t justify the true weight. Obviously I’m not talking about any of @A-Jays pics as all of his pics make the fish look bigger than actual. Maybe we can get him him to disclose his secrets. 

[A-Jay]

22 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 @A-Jays pics as all of his pics make the fish look bigger than actual. Maybe we can get him him to disclose his secrets. 

Hold the bass very close to a wide angle  / fish eye lens.

Or carry a small action figure with you.

A-Jay

[Bird]

2 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

 

Bird, those are some solid fish in Virginia!   I am jealous.  

It was actually a remote lake in WV that sees little pressure.

I catch my best fish of the year there each and every year...... and it's always early April and always a jig.

 

[papajoe222]

I only use a scale on fish that exceed 18in. During the summer, that’s a fis over 3lb. 
my arm then re-calibrates and I no longer ‘need’ the scale unless I catch one over 23in.  Ive caught two at that mark , one 6lb-12oz and the other 7lb-7oz. The scale doesn’t lie, it only humbles me. 

[king fisher]

  I had a scale that always weighed light, so I bought another scale, and it is off by the same amount as my old scale.  What are the odds, that both scales are off by the same amount?  I know they are off, because my estimates are always dead on, I even get within an oz or two on the ones that get away.  

[Catt]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

I’m pretty good at estimating a length, since I measure a lot more fish than I weigh. Can usually get it within 1/2 inch.

 

Toledo Bend has a 14" minimum length, I'm pretty dead on.

[Woody B]

If I'm catching decent size fish I start thinking they're lighter than they are.  OTOH if I'm catching small fish I'll start thinking they're bigger than they are.   I rarely keep fish so I'm not concerned if they're legal or not.   

[BigAngus752]

9 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

So you’re saying you caught a 6.9 lb bass today?? Well congratulations!!! I haven’t done that in about 15+ years 

Me: (reads title) This should be an interesting thread.  I may be able to contribute.

Me:  (reads "I was just goofing around and caught a 4'11 and a 6'9 today)

Me:  I have nothing to contribute here.  Let's go to Yahoo and see what the Kardashians are up to today. 

[GRiver]

When I catch the fish, it looks like it weighs more.

When my brother in law catches it looks like it weighs less.

At least that what razz each other about.

Really I’m horrible at guessing the weight, I’m mean I’m off by a lot. 
 

[Mike L]

Most folks guesses are usually heavier but the more you do the better you get. 
 

I can get close enough to not use a scale, wasn’t as such for a long time 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

After watching the Pros they're no better than us!