No more guessing!

[agelesssone]

Here are the photos of the scales tested and the fish in question. The crappie measured 18 inches and was fairly chunky.

Pictured is the fisherman who caught the fish, Kent Woods Jr. He is also the creator and administrator of the Beverly Woods Fishing and Hunting With Kids Foundation.

@Sambolie, I would tend to believe the scale that is guaranteed to be within 1/2 ounce.

Our tournament catches are weighed on a verified certified scale and all fish are weighed on the same scale so we believe they are accurate.


http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/ag...=copy&sp=false

http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/ag...tml?sort=3&o=0

[agelesssone]

Originally Posted by spottedbass

Merv, how are you going to over come the small hook on that scale. Hard to get the small of a hook to hold a striper so you can weigh it. I have a scale like that but the small hook makes it very difficult and at times almost impossible to use.

I have the hooks on the scales sharpened to a point so it will penetrate the jaw. No more damage to the fish than does the hook when catching the fish.

[tacklemake]

If you use that plastic holder that locks on the lower jaw then hook your scale in that.It holds the fish tightly without harming the fish..............woody

[XxthejuicexX]

Dang thats a big crappie!

[Alphahawk]

That's a freaking pig of a crappie.

Regards


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[agelesssone]

Yes it is. He's also got a 4#.0 and a 4# 1 oz'er on his wall, all caught from the same lake.

[XxthejuicexX]

Those are some big fillets! You eat those, right?


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[agelesssone]

If I caught it, it would be back in the lake after a few photos.
I no longer have the urge to mount fish or deer or anything else for that matter.
I couldn't eat one that big, with a clear conscience. I'd rather have the genes in the lake.

[XxthejuicexX]

Originally Posted by agelesssone

If I caught it, it would be back in the lake after a few photos.
I no longer have the urge to mount fish or deer or anything else for that matter.
I couldn't eat one that big, with a clear conscience. I'd rather have the genes in the lake.

I agree, I would probably throw it back too. I don't have a single fish mounted. I have never caught anything I deemed worthy of mounting.

[TNBronzeback]

Originally Posted by XxthejuicexX

I agree, I would probably throw it back too. I don't have a single fish mounted. I have never caught anything I deemed worthy of mounting.

X2! lol

[Heiny57]

Holy crap that is a big crappie.

[Headhunter]

Originally Posted by agelesssone

OK, research is done, such as it is.

I tested the three scales that I have that are digital. The Boga didn't make the digital cut....plus it's only a fifteen pounder.

Here are the three contenders.

Brecknell Electro Samson...0-55 lbs...guaranteed to 1/2 ounce. $80.00 plus shipping.

WalMart luggage scale...0-88 lbs....no guarantee...$15.00

Rapala 50 lb digital scale w/gripper... 0-50 lbs...no guarantee....$65.00 plus shipping.

I used a purported 15 lb dumbbell as a test weight. I tied a string to it with a loop in it so I could hang it from all three scales.

I then hung each scale from a rafter in my garage.

Testing the Brecknell first I came up with 15 lbs 5.5 ounces, 15 lbs 5.5 ounces and 15 lbs 5,5 ounces. Very consistent.

Next up was the WalMart luggage scale...15 lbs 6 ounces, 15 lbs 6 ounces, and 15 lbs 5 ounces. Also pretty consistent.

Last was the Rapala 50 lb digital scale w/gripper...15 lbs 1 ounce, 15 lbs 1 ounce, 15 lbs .8 ounce also consistent (albeit it a little lower than the other two).

There is no calibration mechanisms on any of these scales.

My problem with the Rapala is during the summer I would get inconsistent readings on it, varying as much as 20 percent. I lost faith in it and relegated it to the storage locker on the boat. At that time the WalMart special was my "go to" scale.

Neither the WalMart in Hendersonville nor the one in Rivergate, Madison have the luggage scales. You have to order them through WalMart.

All three are susceptible to moisture so if you have one or get one, keep them out of the rain. I've gotten my WalMart scale wet numerous times and each time, I remove the battery ASAP and put the scale on a heat vent in the house and let it dry out for a coupla days before I re-battery it and turn it on. It has come back to life every time.

One of these days, I will try upping the weight by using one of my 35 lb dumbbells and see how they stack up at higher weights.

As far as I know, the IGFA will certify the Bogas to weigh world record catches. Bet the ones you tested won't make that cut.

[agelesssone]

Originally Posted by Headhunter

As far as I know, the IGFA will certify the Bogas to weigh world record catches. Bet the ones you tested won't make that cut.

I seriously doubt I'll catch any world records.

[Headhunter]

Originally Posted by agelesssone

I seriously doubt I'll catch any world records.

to me nothing to with catching world records, everything to do with if they are accurate for world records per the IGFA, then should be accurate enough to keep whoever uses them honest.

[Reel Tune]

Originally Posted by agelesssone

I seriously doubt I'll catch any world records.

Not that I plan on catching a record of any sort, but for the past 3 years we have made the trip to South Florida to get both of our Bogas Certified. It's more of a piece of mind than anything, and donate to a good cause.