Question about weigh-ins.

[Brent1]

Hey guys I've never fished a tournament before, so I don't have any experience at all with weigh-ins. I know that you take your bass from the livewell and place them in a weigh bag then transport them to the scales. But how long do the bass have to stay out of the water? Isn't this hard on the fish? Do a lot of fish not survive after a weigh-in?

[Bass XL]

It usually depends how big the tourney is. At small club tournaments, when it's your turn, you put your fish in the bag, then right onto the scales basically. Some of the bigger tournaments have aerated tubs to put your bag in while you wait in line.

[J Francho]

Usually it takes about 30 seconds or less to weigh the fish.  Probably less time than it takes you to unhook, photo and release.

There are some college series that are weighing the fish in a tank.  That seems pretty interesting, though many would not understand that mass is mass, even in a tank of water.

I was involved in a long discussion about weigh ins, or really about "whose fish is bigger," and I came to the conclusion that displacement was the way to go.

[Nick]

As a fellow Missourian, our tourneys can range from a few boats to well over 200. Depending on the circuit, most larger organizations have a fifteen or so official weigh in bags to handout to prevent long lines of fish swimming without much oxygen. If this is the case, after the tourney ends, park your boat but keep the aerator/recirculator running on max with your fish still inside the well, find and get in the "bag Line" which will be just off the weigh in podium to wait for an official weigh in bag. Once you put your fish in the bag hustle it back up to the weigh in line and look for aerated tanks to place the fish in. You'll see other anglers putting their fish in the tanks so follow their lead in adding oxygen tubes or just sticking the perforated bag into the oxygenated water. Once you weigh your fish in, you may be required to take them back into the lake for release, or they could be placed in a release boat.

[Bass XL]

This was the only picture I had, but if you look closely, you can see the tubs. This was taken at the Fed. Nation Central Divisional. This is what you'll generally see when you're fishing a bigger tournament.

[Brent1]

Its good to see that care is usually given to the fish. I think I would really enjoy fishing tournaments, but I am concerned with the survival of the fish as well. I know not every fish will survive, but I'd hope that a good majority of them do.

[Glenn]

Here's a few pics I took at a WBT tournament that shows the weigh-in tubs.

[Nick]

Brent,

I do not advocate fishing hot weather events, however when water temps are below 60, I see lots of frisky bass returned to the water apparently in very good condition. If you have personal concerns, fish the early spring and fall events.