Digital Fishing Scales
The era of the digital scale for weighing our fish is fully on. There are still a few fishermen who are holding on to their Dad’s spring-loaded model, which is fine for weighing the jackpot on a half-day boat. But if you’ve thrown down a couple of thousand dollars for an entry fee in a bass tournament, weighing the catch is serious business.
A digital scale will weigh a single fish, or an entire catch, to within point zero, zero of an ounce or a pound, depending on how it’s set. This kind of accuracy virtually eliminates any question about weight, and along with it, some of the fun that came from challenging the integrity of other guy’s equipment. But technology knows no boundaries, and digital scales are a part of the sport’s accessory equipment box.
The number of different models and styles on the market could be a bit overwhelming to some. So, in order to help with the selection process, we’ve broken everything down to three categories. Light, medium and heavy. As for the color selections and any designer options, these are a matter of personal choice, so it’s every man for him self in that area.
The lighter models are battery powered and can be kept in a watertight case, clipped on the belt, or worn about the neck. These are ideal for any fisherman who likes to make a note of a fish’ size for the photo album captions. The smaller, battery powered models are available from name brand equipment manufacturers, as well as from independent manufacturers, and all at extremely affordable prices.
The medium range fishing scales are often used in tournament fishing and in fish markets. Fish are placed on a stainless steel plate and the weight is shown on a digital image screen. Some models are one-piece units, and others have a detached scale. Both are available in 100 Volt power with a DC converter. The medium range scales are kept in hard cases for protection when they are shipped or transported.
In the commercial fishing industry, digital scales weigh the catch at every step along the way, from the fishing grounds to the grocery store shelf. These scales are extremely pricey, and extremely essential in maintaining accurate data.
For most of us, fishing is a hobby and good equipment makes things more enjoyable. The digital scales are a great addition to the tackle box or the tournament. Enjoy your new scale. Happy fishing.
