After catching a fish, the first order of business is always to weigh it. This is done along with measuring your catch to determine if you should keep, eat, or release it.
That said, no matter what becomes of the catch, it is always worth documenting via video or photo. That means the bigger and heavier it is, the better.
If you want to weigh a fish, how do you go about doing it without hurting your catch?
The best way to weigh a fish is to use a scale, though you may simply eyeball it for a quick and rough estimation. However, it’s no secret that a scale gives you the precise weight and helps you abide by your state’s fishing policies.
For weighing fish, scales have hooks at the bottom that hold on to the fish. The hook is pierced through the skin around the fish’s mouth or lodged beneath the gill plate without piercing. These scales may also be used to weigh fish inside a shopping bag, so the hook doesn’t cause any damage.
As a last resort, a stationary weighing scale is also an option. That’s because you can’t exactly expect fish to lay down motionless on the scale. It’ll likely flap around wildly, meaning you would have to hold on to it with your bare hands. This is unlikely to make for an accurate reading.
A handheld scale should help you avoid the hassle and guesswork that comes with weighing fish straight out of the water. Let’s go over the effective ways to weigh fish using the said instrument.
How Do You Weigh Fish?
Not even a quality handheld scale will save you from the hassle of weighing fish that’s thrashing about. You can still get an inaccurate reading, and your scale might even end up getting damaged.
So when using a handheld scale, make sure to calm the fish down before placing it on the scale. Once you manage that, you should be able to get an accurate reading.
There are different kinds of handheld scales on the market, but the ones with hooks and clamps are deemed the most effective by anglers. That’s because they are simple and the easiest to use. Some of these scales are designed with a ring at the end for you to attach a separate hook or clamp into.
Scales With Hooks
Whether a scale has a built-in hook or requires a separate hook, the process is more or less the same.
Take the fish you’ve caught and hold on to it safely and securely. Make sure to take the necessary precautions with certain species of fish, such as catfish, which are more dangerous to handle. Not doing so may lead to you getting hurt. Then, proceed to calm the fish down.
Grab the hook and either stick it through the soft part of the fish’s mouth or lodge it underneath the gill plate. Most people prefer the former, but you may not be one to want to damage the fish in any way. There’s already an existing hole; why make another one? Besides, the gill plate is a tough structure and won’t give in to the pressure of the hook.
Next, release the fish slowly and let it hang until the reading settles on a fixed value. Wait a few seconds before jotting down the weight. If the weight remains the same after waiting, you now have the weight of the fish.
The last step is to do with the fish what you need to. If you’re to release it back to the water, don’t throw it back from a height. You may accidentally kill the fish by doing so.
Using Clamps
Alternatively, you can use clamps on your scales. This is said to be the safer option because you won’t be piercing a hole through the fish’s body and, thus, are unlikely to damage the fish.
When using a clamp, what you do is grab the fish and hold it steady. Make sure the fish has calmed down before you weigh it to get an accurate reading.
Proceed to open the mouth of the fish and attach the clamp to its lower jaw. Secure it behind the jawbones, but don’t go too deep.
Clamp size and strength will depend on the size of the fish. That means the bigger the fish, the bigger and more powerful the clamp you will need. Use a smaller and weaker clamp, and it won’t be able to securely hold on to the fish. Similarly, avoid using a clamp that’s too strong for the fish, as it could damage part of its mouth.
Release Fish the Right Way
A good practice is to lower the fish into the water and wait for its reaction. If it swims away, you’re good. If not, try and keep its mouth open while moving it around in the water. This should help them recover from the stress of being out of their natural environment and swim away after a minute or two.