Catfish Scales?

Dirk (and anyone else that would like to chime in),

What kind of scale are you using to weight your cats? I was thinking digital, quick, easy and lite up for night fishing. But I couldn’t find anything in Cabella’s that would read 80 to 100 lbs in digital.

Commancharo, was saying the Berkely (?) gripper wouldn’t work on flats or channels, so I guess I’m going to have to use a scale and the net.

Just getting prepared to break the MN record for flats.. Hey! A guy has to think positive here!

I use a 60lb spring scale made by Cardoza. Its nothing special but I’ve had it for 3 years and it has held up well and is very accurate. I’m not much for digital scales anyway, they always seem to bust on me.

The first thing I do when a big one comes in is leave it in the net and weigh it then. Its probably not too good to hang a 40lb class fish from its gill plate or lip. They will “flop” on you and come off also, which could easily injure and eventually kill the fish.

PS – I like the little “high weight tab” that comes on some scales. This allows you to simply lift the fish up and quickly set it down again without having to check the scale while weighing the fish (this is especially helpful at night).

When I catch the big one that buries my 60lb scale I’m gonna stare at it for a minute, look up at the moon and wonder if it’s a new state record, and then release it without ever knowing.

Thanks Dirk,

Cabela’s has ha hundred pound scale for $29. with the high weight limit.

I did notice in all your pictures…that with the bigger fish you had them craddled. I’m going to really make it hard on my wife this year…cut bait wiped on the pants and a closely craddled cat or two…

Thanks again!

Brian – You have the right kind of attitude. After you get the 100# scale you might want to start thinking about the 500 gallon live well for your boat. You’re going to need one of those St Paul tug boats for your catfishing trips. But you got me thinking – I’m going to go out and get the 100# scale too. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Dirk raises an interesting fisherman’s conundrum on handling possible record setting big cats – I’m not sure I could hurt a really big cat either for the sake of a record. I don’t think I could take much pride in killing one of those beautiful fish on the chance of a record. My luck, I’d be a couple of pounds light. A quick weight if possible and a picture and back in the water.

I didn’t convey my intentions very well…and haven’t done all my homework yet…but it’s my understanding that the fish doesn’t have to die to make a record.

From my understanding, I would need at least three witnesses (2 besides me – which might be the most difficult part)a bunch of pictures at least two with a tape measure in it, and the scale.

You are so very right…if the fish has to die for my ego… Houston, we have a problem. (Opps! Wrong forum)

Very glad this was pointed out…

Personally, I make every effort to return these babes back without any damage…a picture, a kiss and off they go…no matter what size.

I am learning with the info from both you (Comm), Dirk and other places/people that if I take out a 30 pound flat, she wouldn’t likely be replace in my life time….can’t have that!

Just came from the DNR website…I don’t know where I got that idea from .

Looks like the state record won’t be threatened by me.

Have a happy New Year! AND may 2004 find you looking at the moon often!

Hey guys, I just wanted to chime in on your scale discussion. A 100 lb scale would be nice to have for that once in a lifetime fish but scales are usually most accurate in the middle of the spectrum. What I am trying to say is that when using a 100 lb scale to weigh your common 10-20 lb class flats the scale may be off quite a bit. By how much who knows, I just know I wouldn’t trust it. My cattin’ buddy I fish with has a digital Rapala scale good up to 50 lbs. We’ve come close but haven’t broke 50 yet. When we do we think the scale will just say “To be continued” and watch the monster swim away.

Mike T.

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Dirk (and anyone else that would like to chime in),

What kind of scale are you using to weight your cats? I was thinking digital, quick, easy and lite up for night fishing. But I couldn’t find anything in Cabella’s that would read 80 to 100 lbs in digital.

Commancharo, was saying the Berkely (?) gripper wouldn’t work on flats or channels, so I guess I’m going to have to use a scale and the net.

Just getting prepared to break the MN record for flats.. Hey! A guy has to think positive here!

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100 pound catfish? I thought Still a Kid was Mr. Opimistic around here? LOL

Gator Hunter

Oh ye nay sayers….

Here’s the response I received from the MN DNR about state records.

******************

I have a question about State Record fish..Flathead Catfish.

Do you have to kill the fish for it to become a state record? Weighed on a State certified scale would likely kill it. Most of these bigger cats are caught at night and generally they are too big for a live well.

If there’s a process for catch and release, could you tell me where I could find it?

Thanks!

From: Sue Ronchak [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 9:52 AM
To: Suellen Rau; Klawitter, Brian
Subject: Re: Releasing a state record fish?

Brian,
Yes, the fish does need to be killed to have it officially weighed for a state record. We do have a Master Angler program that does allow for state record fish to be caught and released. You can apply to it if you are interested. Here is the website: http://www.minnesotafishinghalloffame.com
Happy Holidays and Happy Fishing…
Sue Ronchak
DNR – Fisheries

I have a scale made Shimano. It goes up to 100 pounds.I bought for arround 30-50$ Cheapest scale I have seen that goes up to 100 pounds The hands dow best scale especially for big fish is the chatillion (sp)

Thanks BT, the Cabella’s I bought is a knock off of the Shimano…or maybe it’s the other way around. But what makes the other one (Sp?) that you mentioned better?

Besides the price tag of $152 for the 100 lbs model?

Yikes!

I didnt know catfish had scales. And a 100lb scale??? Are you kidding, that entire mo fo must weigh at least 50,000lbs?

I think Briank has seen this picture one time too many.

Gator Hunter

I can never see that pic enough…caught on a 7 inch bullhead with a 4/0 circle hook just before sunrise on the first of a series of wingdams on the sippie just ahead of the largest snag on that section of river. She fought well but finally succum to the new Cabella’s Quantum “Big Cat Rod” and the 80 lb firewire wrapped on the new “reel yet to be determined”…..

Jez…I have to wake up….and go to work!

I just read DaveB’s comment about the 100# scales? He really cracks me up. I was drinking a pepsi while I was reading it and I laughed so hard I almost choked to death. DaveB – you got a weird sense of humor – I love it.

Ok, so call me slow…I just got it

I like to eat paste.

ok so i had to go back and read the post by dave b and i must admit it took me a second to get too, and now my side hurts from laughing. are you sure it was paste or was it paint chips