Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) > Tackle & Techniques

Weighing fish

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Charles Cintron:
Howzit everyone,

For those of you that weigh your fish I was curious as to how you go about doing it while on the water? I'm talking about something over 45k. I fish from an 18' boat and would like to weigh the big boys just to get a number. We usually just measure and toss them back quickly but i'm curious as to how much they actually weigh now.

I'v only seen spring scales up to 100pounds but would at least like something up to 150pounds as I would only weigh something massive. I've seen guys on videos with a supermarket scale and plyboard but I don't think I have room for that. Is there a heavy duty boga grip out there?

Mahalo

Luke Wyrsta:

--- Quote from: Charles Cintron on March 28, 2012, 10:54:45 AM ---Howzit everyone,

For those of you that weigh your fish I was curious as to how you go about doing it while on the water? I'm talking about something over 45k. I fish from an 18' boat and would like to weigh the big boys just to get a number. We usually just measure and toss them back quickly but i'm curious as to how much they actually weigh now.

I'v only seen spring scales up to 100pounds but would at least like something up to 150pounds as I would only weigh something massive. I've seen guys on videos with a supermarket scale and plyboard but I don't think I have room for that. Is there a heavy duty boga grip out there?

Mahalo

--- End quote ---

Hi Charles,

I'm glad this topic came up as I was going to post about this sooner or later.

I think the best solution is the body scales - there are digital ones available at fair prices that are very accurate.

Boat movement is always going to be an issue, but not something that can't be overcome within the same time that it takes to take various measurements of a fish.

I support the taking of fish measurements, however, I still do not find them anymore than a ballpark indicator. Historically, they haven't been very accurate in fish over 45kg as these specimens always have greatly varied girth vs length.

Fukui-San, of Tokara and World GT fame uses a scale, of which an aluminum frame perspex box is placed over the surface of the scale so that measurements can easily be seen without any fish touching the ground. A piece of ply is placed on top of the box and the whole weight of the additional assembly offset on the scale control.

I feel spring scales and bogs grips will be adverse to the health of the fish as they provide zero body and spinal support of the GT. Weighing them this way will significantly harm them and reduce chances of survival once released.

Luke

Thien Dao:
Why not just use bathroom scales to weigh yourself holding the fish, then subtract your body weight?

Charles Cintron:
Good points Luke two guys holding a big fish up by it's tail or mouth is definitely going to do some damage.

Thien that's  prob what I'll end up doing the problem for me is that the area I fish has some rough water most of the time and standing on a little square in a small rocking boat would be a circus act for me and the fish lol! Using that method I would have to motor out of the rough zone keeping the fish out of water longer.

I think I might rig up some scale to a net that way we can keep the fish in the water as we prepare everything. Or maybe I should just scrap the idea and just exaggerate the weight of the fish to my buddies ;D

Mark Harris:
Like Thien, I have always thought bathroom scales are an incredibly simply solution and I don't know why charter boats do not use them?  Holding 50 kilos of fish while balanced on a scale on a rocking boat could provide its challenges but certainly not to the extent of catching the thing in the first place!

If you are on your own, the balancing act may prove too much, as Charles suggests.

Seems a very simple solution to me for boats with more than one person aboard.

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