Fish-Hawk.Net

We all want to know just how much a good fish weighs when we hook into one. Naturally the most effective way to do this while on the boat is using either a digital or analog scale that allows you to "hook" the fish in the mouth, and hang it to record it's weight.

This method is effective for smaller fish like Walleye, Bass, and even smaller Pike, but not recommended for larger fish like Lake Trout, Muskie, or Salmon as the pure weight of these fish and the vertical hold may cause further complications with the fish and not allow for a good live release.

For Bass and even Walleye, I've heard several methods for proper "hooking" of the scale on the fish, and would like to know what you think.

So...what's your opinion?

I have one of those great flat bottomed rubberized nets. I unhook the fish in the net, then, keeping the poor beast in the net I weigh the fish and net. Works great and their is very little stress on the fish. If it's really worth it they get thier picture taken as well.

When doing research on fish in eastern Ontario, we rarely attempt to obtain mass measurements. Even though mass is highly desirable from a fisheries research perspective, we find that the measurements are usually so sketchy that they don't merit even trying. The weighing procedure tends to extend air exposure and has the potential to generate injury (to mouth or to body if fish is dropped during the process). When we do need a mass measurement we first knock the fish out with anesthetics. So - not very helpful but I guess I am supporting the position that there doesn't seem to be a simple way of obtaining mass of fish while on the water.