When out fishing and in need of guidance regarding what to look for and how to do it best, the best fish scale can serve as a useful device.
It helps you land the big ones and answers exactly how much your catch weighs.
Available in a myriad of sizes and functionalities, it is important to know which tools are worth your time and investment.
To help you out, here are comprehensive reviews of the top five models.
Comparison Chart
Best Fish Scale Reviews
1. RoMech Digital Hanging Scale
RoMech is popular for its industrial crane scales, rotary cutters, towel warmers, hot knives, and DC power supply.
This digital hanging scale, in particular, is best for fishing outdoors.
What makes RoMech stand out is their 100% satisfaction guarantee offer. There’s a 12-month warranty and 45-day money-back in case you are not satisfied.
Product Highlights
This mini fish scale is made of cast aluminum, which can withstand cracks, scratches, and drops. The weight is similar to plastic-made materials, but it’s stronger.
Weighing 1.5 pounds, it’s surprising that it can weigh fish up to 660 pounds or 300 kilos.
Its size makes it easy to hold and suitable for weighing fish, hunting, travel, and many other outdoor and indoor activities.
Whether you are new to using weighing scales or not, it is considered user-friendly due to its ease of button use.
Its three buttons, mainly used for turning it on and off, lock readings, and switching units, are accessible and simple enough to understand.
Its parts are also carefully designed, making it a reliable choice and easy enough to assemble and disassemble in a few minutes.
The LCD and LED display are nice touches, too, powered by three AA alkaline batteries.
Additionally, it comes with a detailed troubleshooting guide, having pre-identified usual problems like unstable and incorrect reading and lack of display even after turning on the unit.
You can choose your RoMech Digital Hanging scale in a variety of colors: blue, black, tangerine, and orange.
The Good
Users of this scale appreciate its main material, which makes it strong and easy to use.
The ease by which it can measure in kilograms and pounds is an added feature. The size of the scale also helps users get any band size for its hooks.
On top of those, reviews show that its affordable price makes it a catch considering that it is well-built.
With its bright display and few issues in weight inaccuracy, it makes for a good scale for fishing.
The Bad
There are reports of battery pack defects with reversed battery symbols. Others also report issues of longevity, having only used the scale for two weeks.
Longevity issues are linked to the scale getting stuck in its reading. Plus, it lacks a power-saving feature to help conserve battery.
You might experience issues with weight accuracy. Some also find it tedious to use each time weight needs to be added or subtracted on the scale.
Pros:
- Can weigh in various units (kilograms, pounds, newtons)
- Sturdy aluminum material
- User-friendly
- Perfect for beginner anglers
Cons:
- Weight accuracy issues
- Lacks a power-saving feature
2. HEETA Digital Portable Hanging Fish Scale
Other than fishing products, HEETA offers grooming tools, water sports shoes, essential oil sets, and products for baby potty training.
For a digital fishing scale that uses a woven strap so that you can attach it easily, the HEETA digital portable hanging fish scale is for you.
What’s even better is that it comes at a very affordable price point even with its many features.
It boasts several functions not available in all digital scales, such as the zero, tare, and data-locking functions.
Product Highlights
The HEETA Fish Scale will make your next fishing feat all the more enjoyable.
You only need two AAA batteries for it to work, and it comes with an overload, low-battery indication, and auto power-off features.
Plus, it has a built-in measuring tape, which you can easily pull out and use for measuring in inches or centimeters.
This added feature, not available on all digital scales, is ideal for tracking fish length, especially if you are a competitive angler.
Compared to other digital fishing scales, HEETA boasts an extra-wide and soft handle, ensuring your comfort.
Weighing only 8.3 ounces, it’s a suitable portable digital scale of choice for outdoor use.
Impressively enough, it can measure items up to a total of 110 pounds or 50 kilos. It can give accurate measurements in three units: ounces, pounds, and kilograms.
The Good
This scale comes with an automatic record-saving function so that you have easy access to records. As you can imagine, this will come in handy for tournament use.
On top of that, it has a tare function. Basically, this means you can weigh the fish without weighing the actual container.
This function also instantly resets the scale back to zero, a must-have data-locking function for easier reads of weight values.
The Bad
Unfortunately, some users find the tape difficult to use because it doesn’t recoil well.
Also, there are reports of a half-second delay when operating the buttons despite an overall good performance.
Using good-quality batteries will help avoid these issues of delays and inaccuracies.
Some have noted that the scale can be flimsy, and others are uncomfortable using a jointed swinging handle.
Pros:
- Offers tare, data-locking, and zero functions
- Has power-saving option
- Equipped with a tape measure for tracking fish length
Cons:
- Weight accuracy issues
- Subpar tape measure
- Flimsy scale
3. Berkley Digital Fish Scale
Berkley offers multiple fishing products, from fishing rods to scales. This brand is legal to use for tournament fishing, which is a plus.
You can also visit their website to get hard bait, tackle tips, and strategies for ice fishing.
Product Highlights
This digital fish scale has a lot of attractive qualities, but what we like the most is the fact that it is portable, digital, and water-resistant.
It also has a memory feature, which records up to a total of 10 readings.
To help make your life easier, it also has a tare feature that allows combining the weights of multiple fish caught.
Like the HEETA Digital Portable Hanging Fish Scale, it has a tape measure that tracks fish length up to 1.2 meters.
All in all, this digital scale can measure weights up to 23 kilos or 50 pounds.
The Good
Most users of this scale attest to the accuracy of weighing, and it can even handle flopping fish without the danger of the scale reading being altered.
This is an edge considering that most scales have accuracy issues.
Weighing fish is made possible without the need to hurt them, with the added feature of a tape measure that has a clip-on.
The Bad
Unfortunately, the tape measure can get easily disconnected from the clamp, especially when weighing.
The buttons may not be as user-friendly as you’d expect, especially for beginners.
Recommendations for improvement include redesigning grippers to make them more fit for fish mouths.
It might also help to do updates and work on some delays of the scale before zeroing out for the next weighing.
Getting this fish scale from a reputable seller can make all the difference to make sure you get the exact model (and features) you need and want.
Pros:
- Portable, digital, and water-resistant
- Mostly gives accurate readings.
- Stores up to 10 results
- Lets you combine weights of multiple fish
Cons:
- Has subpar tape measure
- Incompatible grippers
- Delays before zeroing out
4. HEETA Waterproof Digital Fish Scale
This digital fish scale is a catch because of its multifunctionality and a roster of features not found in its counterparts.
It has numeric comparison, overload indication, auto power-off, data locking, and low battery indication.
Product Highlights
The HEETA Waterproof Digital Fish Scale has an extra-wide soft plastic handle and a blue LCD backlight.
As such, you’ll find that it is easy to use, carry, and read. It only needs two AAA batteries to work, which are already included in the purchase.
Because it is waterproof, you should find no problems using it in almost all weather conditions.
Even better, you don’t have to worry about losing it in the water because it floats.
Like the Berkley Digital Fishing Scale, it allows for weighing items in bulk, especially with its tare/zero function.
There is also a built-in tape measure that can weigh lengths up to one meter.
The only possible problem with this is that it can only weigh fish up to 110 pounds or 50 kilos.
The Good
The data locking function of this scale works only after two seconds, avoiding the need for repeated measurements.
Plus, you’ll like that it has an auto-off function, which helps save valuable battery life.
Measurement accuracy is also supported through its built-in high-sensitivity chip. In fact, some users attest that it can withstand being tossed around the boat.
The large handle makes for easy holding, and the large buttons with clear markings are easy to see.
The Bad
One downside of this scale is the limitation of its tape measure, especially for large fish. Tape measure has other issues such as being stuck.
It also cannot convert pounds to ounces, which others want for a simpler weighing read.
While it has a backlit display, that tends to make numbers invisible unless tilted.
Pros:
- Has data-locking, zero/tare, and power-saving functions
- Generally offers accurate measurements
- Waterproof
- Can withstand almost any weather
Cons:
- Tape measure could use more length
- Backlit display needs improvements
- No unit conversion for easier reading
5. YOGAYET Hanging Hook Multi-Purpose Scale
The YOGAYET fish scale is made out of quality Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) material, which is more durable than plastic.
In addition to being durable, it’s also compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to store and carry.
Product Highlights
This is the fish scale you should use if your targets are mainly large objects and big fish.
The light built-in dial also makes for efficient weighing anywhere.
When it comes to user-friendliness, there’s no doubt you’ll appreciate that it comes with thumb-screw adjusters.
Plus, with the help of its high-precision spring actions, you can also ensure a firm grip when weighing fish.
As a small fish scale, it has a weighing capacity of only 22 kilos or 50 pounds.
It might be worth noting that this scale can only read in pounds and kilograms. This might be a problem if you need results in newtons and ounces.
That said, it comes with a neat one-meter or 38-inch measuring tape, which is something you don’t often find in fish scales.
The best part is that you can enjoy all of these features without having to shell out much.
The Good
Users of this tool appreciate that its scale and measuring are combined, leading to nice and compact usage.
The analog dial read-out and size are also lauded.
Because it is non-digital, it is expected to work for years to come and won’t even need batteries to work.
The scale is also both small and sturdy, making it easy to carry even on a small tackle box or a pocket.
The Bad
This is an analog scale, so those who decide to get it and wish to prevent electronic mishaps might encounter challenges in calibration and weight accuracy.
Specifically, it tends not to return to zero after weighing something.
What’s more, despite being marketed for big fish targets, others have experienced it to work only up to the 15-pound mark.
The quality is also questionable because, after minimal use, some tend not to zero out, and others stop working altogether.
Pros:
- Equipped with a tape measure for tracking fish length
- Made with high-quality materials
- Has user-friendly thumb-screw adjusters and high-precision spring
Cons:
- Functions without batteries
- Calibration and weight accuracy issues
- Tends to malfunction even after minimal use
Buyer’s Guide
With so many weighing scales designed for fishing, it can be overwhelming to look at each one’s features to find the best.
To help you make an informed decision, it might help to learn about the most important factors to consider.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind when looking for the best weighing scale for fishing:
Weight Range
Ideally, the weight range for a digital fish scale should be anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds. This makes it comparable with analog ones.
Part of considering this weight range is to look for digital fish scales that can store several weights at once.
With this added feature, you can keep track of your catch easier and decide which fish needs to be culled.
Durability and Build Quality
It is crucial that the fishing scale you choose is able to withstand bruises and bumps of being outdoors.
It should carry on with its functions despite being dropped on the dock, surviving minor accidents.
Great build quality and durability can also be seen in how it can tolerate occasional splashes or unexpected storms.
Attachment Mechanism
Another factor to look into is whether the scale comes with a gripper or a hook.
Standard scales for fishing come with hooks designed to hold the fish through the gill or lip.
The gripper makes use of a spring-loaded clamp designed to prevent harming a fish, merely holding it by the lip.
Your preference with regard to catching methods will matter in this regard.
That said, you might want to consider the challenge of working with larger hooks, especially when dealing with struggling fish.
Some fish species also do not bode well when hooked in the mouth.
Portability
The portability of digital fish scale models is a nice catch for anglers because there is no need to have guesswork.
This is especially true compared to the challenges of using analog scales.
With a digital fish scale, you just need to look at the LCD screen and get an accurate reading.
Portability is also great in bringing these scales outdoors compared to mechanical ones.
Along with portability, the scale should also come with a comfortable grip. This way, your hand can be steady when weighing, preventing wrist and hand strains.
Precision
Of course, what good is a scale if its readings tend to be inaccurate? Precision is needed, fish after fish.
Whether you’re fishing for fun or as a profession, it’s important to have a fishing scale that you can rely on to give you accurate results.
Fish Scale FAQs
If you’re new to fishing, it’s possible that you still have doubts about whether or not a fish scale is necessary.
Here are the most commonly asked questions regarding this device to help you make up your mind:
1. Are fish scales accurate?
Not all fish scales are accurate. Besides, a catch that weighs below three pounds tends to impose challenges for digital weighing scales.
Because of this, it will help to look at a scale’s maximum and minimum weighing capacities when looking at fish scale reviews.
2. What kind of fish scale does MLF use?
The Major League Fishing (MLF) has an official fish scale called the Brecknell MLF Tournament Fish Scale.
Like the scales we reviewed, it also makes use of an LCD screen and has other excellent features that make fishing more enjoyable.
It has an auto-off function, easy-to-read measurements, and durable enclosures for both single- and double-handle use.
This fish scale is fit for catch-and-release sport fishing and is chosen by the MLF for its accuracy, high quality, and good packaging.
3. Do fish scales hurt fish?
In the past, it was possible to harm fish through fish scales.
Fortunately, recent innovations have almost eliminated this, especially among anglers with enough practice of catch-and-release fishing.
All in all, the goal is to learn how to measure the fish size and weight while not harming them.
4. What scale do Bassmasters use?
The Bassmaster Tournament participants usually use the Rapala High Contrast Digital Scale.
Which Scale Is Best for Fishing?
Among all the fish scales we looked at, the RoMech Digital Hanging Scale is the best fish scale.
Its multifunctionality and various features are all must-haves in fishing, but you won’t have to spend too much cash as you would on higher-end options.
While there could be improvements in its overall design and usage, there’s no denying how much it can make fishing more enjoyable.
Although a bit more expensive, the Berkley Digital Fish Scale is also a good alternative.
It’s a water-resistant fish scale, so you can use it without worries.
You’ll also like that it has a few seconds of delay before zeroing out so that you will have time to record the readings.
