You are not logged in or registered. Please login or register to use the full functionality of this board...

Post Reply 
Weighing Fish
09-08-2012, 03:37 PM
Post: #1
Weighing Fish
Weighing Fish

I’m constantly both disappointed and amused while watching some of the carry-ons I see when some try to weigh their catch. A good portion of the time the fish is roughly handled and dropped a few times while attempting to get that little metal hook on their scale pierced through the fish’s lower jaw or hooked up under a gill plate.

If you plan to release a catch and really must weigh it there are simpler “fish life-friendly” ways to do so.

I suppose a fishing landing cradle is the ultimate weighing sling – but few of us (including me) own one.

Consider these alternatives:

- If you netted the fish – simply weigh the fish together with the net by hooking onto the crotch of net at the handle/hoop interface. A cheap carabineer clip, or a loop of rope, can be used to simplify this. Subtract weight of net.

- If you lip clamped the fish – just hook onto the clamps lanyard – weigh all. Subtract weight of clamp.

- Gently put fish in your 5 gallon bucket and weigh all. Subtract weight of bucket.

All of the above is much easier on the fish than a few dirt dives.

If you don’t’ need digital scale accuracy - You can also approximate the weigh using two quickly taken linear measurements and this formula:

- Approximate Weight = (Length) x (Girth x Girth) / 800

An on-line collection of automated species specific versions of this formula exists here:

http://www.ontarioanglerawards.com/Weight.cfm

Cheers,

OldTimer

<>< I once gave up fishing. It was the most terrifying weekend of my life. ><>

See you on the river.
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user
Add Thank You Quote this message in a reply
[-] The following 1 user says Thank You to OldTimer for this post:
MichaelAngelo (09-08-2012)
09-08-2012, 06:16 PM
Post: #2
RE: Weighing Fish
Wise advice OT!

Most of the time I just guesstimate the weight...and most times, the fish was underestimated. Big Grin

For me, I don't really need to know the weight of the fish...just being able to catch one was good enough. A tape measure of the length is great for record keeping...but even that is often guesstimated by measuring against the length of my arm, or the fishing rod, for a quick release.

Malama o ke kai

Caution - Objects in picture are smaller than they appear. I am genetically predisposed to make fish look bigger.

Life List: 577 species and counting (2016: 91 new species)
http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...-list.html
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user
Add Thank You Quote this message in a reply
09-08-2012, 09:45 PM (This post was last modified: 09-08-2012 09:45 PM by MichaelAngelo.)
Post: #3
RE: Weighing Fish
I've personally used the fish-in-the-net method of weighing and can vouch for it! Great method!

Remember, if you're going to release the fish don't hold the gills!

[Image: logobgs.png]
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user
Add Thank You Quote this message in a reply
05-05-2013, 04:53 PM
Post: #4
RE: Weighing Fish
Never weight catch before. I agree with MuskieBait, length is enough for me. Smile
Find all posts by this user
Add Thank You Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 


Related Threads
Thread: Author Replies: Views: Last Post
Lightbulb Kept Fish - Handling and Storage OldTimer 9 8,126 11-06-2016 01:34 PM
Last Post: Mdt
  Id of Selected NA Freshwater Fish by Fillet and Sclaes zippyFX 1 1,999 05-21-2016 06:41 AM
Last Post: OldTimer
  Fish Identification OldTimer 17 14,303 08-14-2015 02:47 PM
Last Post: OldTimer
  Fish Nicknames OldTimer 3 6,046 03-30-2015 04:27 PM
Last Post: Giuga10
Lightbulb Fish Dish and Appetizer Recipes OldTimer 36 29,743 01-19-2015 04:01 PM
Last Post: OldTimer
  Which Fish Species Hears the Best? zippyFX 6 4,847 11-06-2014 03:29 PM
Last Post: OldTimer
  How fish sees colors underwater? Explained graphically fishfight 0 1,781 02-23-2014 10:07 PM
Last Post: fishfight
  Ontario Fish Lengths and Weight by Age OldTimer 3 3,125 01-16-2014 09:49 PM
Last Post: zippyFX
  How hard can you lean into a fish on your gear? OldTimer 9 6,413 07-17-2013 08:12 AM
Last Post: OldTimer
  Easy Outdoor Fish Cleaning Station OldTimer 8 6,778 06-08-2013 08:52 PM
Last Post: alcom

Forum Jump:


User(s) browsing this thread:
1 Guest(s)

[-]
Shout: -
Options
Loading...
Smilies
Popup Shoutbox

Return to TopReturn to Content