Weighing-In on Berkley’s Digital Scales (Guest Review)
by Bill Schultz

OK, we’ve all been watching the TV fishing shows when the host catches a bass, holds it up, and proclaims, “that’s a nice three-pounder.” Sometimes I agree, but more often you’ll hear from my couch, “that’s not a three-pounder.”

When I got back into fishing in 1992, I promised myself that I wouldn’t exaggerate. That’s almost as tough an assignment as keeping a New Year’s resolution. Well, I’ve done a pretty good job, and one thing that has definitely helped me is weighing those bigger fish so I have the exact weight when telling my fish stories.

For the first few years I used a variety of cheap, spring-type scales that just did not do the job. About seven or eight years ago, I bought my first Berkley digital scale and the rest is “no-exaggeration” history. That first scale was the Berkley 50# Digital Scale. After years of being banged around in my boat and carrying it numerous miles walking and wading in streams and rivers, I got a new one this year. What a great product. I also have the smaller 20# Digital Scale and the new Big Game Lip Grip with Digital Scale.

As I mentioned, I really like the 50# Digital Scale for its durability, fairly compact size, accuracy, being easy to grip while weighing a fish, and I love the one-touch operation and big numbers on the display. It has a large hook to hold the fish, which I attach near the front of the gill plate near the mouth

The 20# Digital Scale is smaller, with a smaller hook that is even more suited for attaching under the gill plate. It too is easy to hold and use with the push of one button. The numbers on the display are smaller but remain easy to read, and like its bigger brother, it seems to be very accurate.

New this year, Berkley introduced the Big Game Lip Grip with Digital Scale. This is a great product, which I’ve had a chance to use during some big water smallie fishing in Door County, Wis. This product not only helps you land that big smallie, but also has the ability to weigh the fish. Unlike the other two digital scales I discussed, which weigh the fish in pounds and tenths of pounds, this scale measures in pounds and ounces, or kilograms.

The powerful spring action jaws securely hold the fish for landing, and because the grip’s jaws pivot instead of being rigidly affixed to the handle, the fish can twist and wiggle without injury to the fish or the angler. The scale will handle fish up to 30 pounds. It uses a 9-volt battery and automatically shuts off after 50 seconds of non-use.

From personal experience, I can highly recommend these three digital scales. To verify the calibration of the scales, I suggest you use it to weigh several items whose weight you already know. This will reveal any slight plus or minus in the scale’s accuracy so you can factor this in when weighing fish. I did this using dumbbells of various weight.

BONUS REVIEW
About five years ago, I bought my first Berkley Line Stripper and wondered why it took me so long to get one. I change my line more frequently than most, and I’m embarrassed to say that for years I was doing it by hand. Good exercise, but a huge waste of time. I couldn’t believe how great this product was. This year, Berkley came out with a new version that is even smaller and it works GREAT. It probably takes less than 20 seconds to un-spool a typical spinning reel, and this little powerhouse is only five inches long and weighs four ounces. It takes two AA batteries and retails for only $9.99. I recently bought a second one for half price at Gander Mountain.