Why Don't They Use A Scale On T.v. ?

[jignfule]

When I watch Bass fishing on T.V. I always wonder how much some of the bigger fish weight. Very seldom do I see them weight a fish. It would be easy & quick to do and satisfy some curiosity that many viewers have.

[Flangler]

I know right? Big Bass Battle always does, however they are competing. I think they would rather show how to catch the fish, and what they were using, and technique regardless of what it weighs. Thats what I think.

[Dwight Hottle]

If they took the time to weigh fish on TV all the fish would be smaller than if they guess the weight. The typical 4lber would only weigh 3lbs.

[Jigfishn10]

You're right Dwight Hottle, Roland Martin makes a pretty nifty paycheck putting those fish right up against the camera making it look like an 8 lber...LOL...SON!

I was watching a Jimmy Houston episode and he mentioned that. Right after he mentions it, he starts laughing in that high pitched laugh of his. I was cracking up.

[NBR]

Right on Dwight. If you use a scale how could a 4.25 pounder be at least 5.

[johnD.]

Its easier for them to say thats a monster , and throw it back in the drink...

Watched Zona last night ,every fish he catches over 2 pounds is a HOG....

[Bluebasser86]

"Whoa son! It's a big giant 7,8,9 pound bass (as it gets closer to the camera) just a giant, giant, Lake (insert Florida lake of your choice) bass." Roland cracks me up but I almost get sick to my stomach from the shameless product pushing that he does.

[Jigfishn10]

"Whoa son! It's a big giant 7,8,9 pound bass (as it gets closer to the camera) just a giant, giant, Lake (insert Florida lake of your choice) bass." Roland cracks me up but I almost get sick to my stomach from the shameless product pushing that he does.

ROFL...I just contacted Versus and the next time Roland can't make a fishing show due to illness, you'll be stepping in for him. You certainly got him down...

[Glenn]

Actually, for awhile, Roland did indeed weigh all his fish on tv (when he was pushing the Boga Grip). Ironically, people then criticized him for keeping the fish out of water too long.

Can't win either way!

[CODbasser]

They're usually only thirty minute shows; If they take the time to weigh fish. Thats time they are losing to promote products. Most of the time they are pushing something and thats the goal of the show. Bill dance is always pushing something made by yum for example. It's a buisness like anything else. If they were promoting a weigh and cull system, every fish would probably get weighed like stated above.

[NBR]

I don't have a problem with them pushing a product; without it we could be watching reruns of as "The World Turns". I don't have a big need for them to weigh the fish but if they quit holding the fish up for the camera while they chit chat it woould be a lot better for the fish and they might have time to weigh more fish.

[James Yalem]

All of you do realize that these bass fishing shows are not real. The bass are caught before the show and put on the hook by divers who film the fight. The last real TV fishing show that I can remember was "Gadabout Caddis" who flew an small airplane to various fishing lakes and rivers and fished for most North American freshwater species. Lots of shows depicted him casting without results. The show was in the late 1960's and early 1970's. But even Virgil Ward pre-caught the bass that he "caught" on TV. The shows all have a disclaimer that some scenes are depictions of fishing.

[Grey Wolf]

All of you do realize that these bass fishing shows are not real. The bass are caught before the show and put on the hook by divers who film the fight. The last real TV fishing show that I can remember was "Gadabout Caddis" who flew an small airplane to various fishing lakes and rivers and fished for most North American freshwater species. Lots of shows depicted him casting without results. The show was in the late 1960's and early 1970's. But even Virgil Ward pre-caught the bass that he "caught" on TV. The shows all have a disclaimer that some scenes are depictions of fishing.

You know you just busted a lot of fisherman's ideal dreams.

[SirSnookalot]

Can't remember seeing fish weighed on TV programs, I personally don't think it would add much to the telecast. Many saltwater shows unhook the fish in the water never taking them aboard, they don't weigh either.

[FD.]

All of you do realize that these bass fishing shows are not real. The bass are caught before the show and put on the hook by divers who film the fight. The last real TV fishing show that I can remember was "Gadabout Caddis" who flew an small airplane to various fishing lakes and rivers and fished for most North American freshwater species. Lots of shows depicted him casting without results. The show was in the late 1960's and early 1970's. But even Virgil Ward pre-caught the bass that he "caught" on TV. The shows all have a disclaimer that some scenes are depictions of fishing.

Really? I think your tin foil helmet is getting a little tight.

[Glenn]

Anyone can make up stuff and start rumors....even here.

[backpain...]

I have seen out take where the rod and reel were different for the cast and then fight and landing of the fish. I do think most shows are multiple days filmed for one show at the very least. You can't promote products that aren't working on film

[Randall]

I just saw a show being discussed on another site where a fifteen pounder was claimed to be caught. The guy who was on the show as the guest said the actual show was not like what he remembered hapening on the water that day and there was no fifteen pounder. I have had shows call me and ask how many big fish I can save up to shoot a show. So, it's real common. That's how most of that business works.

On the other hand I did a Lunkerville show with Mike D and we caught a bunch of dinks because that's what we caught. I also did a show this past spring that was shot 100% the way it happened. I plan to do another show with a guy this year and they have agreed to shoot it 100% the way it happens so there are a few shows that are for real out there but these are far and few between.

I don't believe anything I see in the fishing world unless I see the whole thing from cast to catch and then see it on a scale.

[maq88]

Really? I think your tin foil helmet is getting a little tight.

lol!!!

thats a good one

[3dees]

do you really think that Bill Dance catches all those pigs in a half hour. wonder why he never catches dinks? it all about editing. he probably fishes a few days to make that 30 min. show. as for weighing the fish. who cares. I know what a 3 or 4 pounder looks like. don't need to know the exact weight. and no, I don't think there is a guy under the water putting a hook in the fishes mouth.

[hatrix]

All of you do realize that these bass fishing shows are not real. The bass are caught before the show and put on the hook by divers who film the fight. The last real TV fishing show that I can remember was "Gadabout Caddis" who flew an small airplane to various fishing lakes and rivers and fished for most North American freshwater species. Lots of shows depicted him casting without results. The show was in the late 1960's and early 1970's. But even Virgil Ward pre-caught the bass that he "caught" on TV. The shows all have a disclaimer that some scenes are depictions of fishing.

My father always told me that when I was a little kid. I use to watch fishing shows on weekend mornings and he would say there is divers putting the fish on the hooks for them Recently I have been watching quite a lot of fishing shows on VS and I have to say Dill Dance only catches 4# or better fish it seems. Also though he is never on a real "lake" I only ever see him on ponds and stuff so I can kinda believe he catches those fish but.. I dont believe he catches 15 fish that are 4# or more in one day unless its a pond where they are feeding the fish and actually trying to grow big bass. Also that hook and look show I think might be legit on the fish they catch. Its actually a pretty cool perspective getting to see all the fish and the lure swimming in the water and the fish chasing it down and nailing it.

[Stasher1]

I think that anyone who is making a living catching fish most likely has enough experience to be able to judge the weight of a fish fairly accurately without a scale. Most mechanics can tell bolt/wrench sizes without measuring them, and when I was working as an aircraft structure mechanic I could tell drill bit sizes without looking for the little stamps. This is what they've been doing day in/day out for years. It would be pretty pathetic if they couldn't judge a fish's weight.

[Glenn]

Ok Hatrix, your proof of divers hooking fish is because your dad says so?

If you have legitimate proof, then show it. Otherwise, quit making stuff up.

As for Bill Dance - his shows generally take 3 days to shoot. Most are on well-managed farm ponds. Hope that clears things up.

[jignfule]

I think that anyone who is making a living catching fish most likely has enough experience to be able to judge the weight of a fish fairly accurately without a scale. Most mechanics can tell bolt/wrench sizes without measuring them, and when I was working as an aircraft structure mechanic I could tell drill bit sizes without looking for the little stamps. This is what they've been doing day in/day out for years. It would be pretty pathetic if they couldn't judge a fish's weight.

Oh they can judge the weight of a fish pretty accurately "that a 4,5,6,7 pounder"

[WRB]

The first fish scale I had was a Langley De-Liar pocket size spring scale with a tape measure. Loved that name "De-Liar"!

Guessing the size of fish (bass) is a big part of fishing; that was at least a 5 lber! when a bass misses the lure! Bill Dance must have the biggest hands in TV fishing, they dwarf the bass he holds.

It takes time to accurately weigh fish and the extra time out of water isn't good for them.

Catching big bass for the TV host or magizine photo is a common practice, they all do it.

Tom