I had recently submitted documentation to have a smallmouth buffalo certified as a water body record for Brazos Lake.

I got an e-mail today with the following reply to my documentation. Here is a copy of the e-mail and my response.


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From: Ron Smith <Ron.Smith@tpwd.state.tx.us>
To: curtmagee@att.net
Sent: Thu, December 8, 2011 10:38:24 AM
Subject: Angler Recognition Smallmouth buffalo


Hi Curt;



I was processing your Water body record and noticed your scale needs to be recertified. We are requiring annual certification to bring our program into alignment with IGFA rules. You still have 30 days to provide the certification papers for this catch.



Nice angling!



Thanks.



Ron R. Smith

Inland Fisheries

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Phone: (512) 389-8302

Me--OK, That is going to cut way back on submissions and participation due to the lack of resources to have scales certified and the cost of the certification. I will pass this info along to my fellow fishermen on the Texas Fishing Forum.


This is apparently a recent change to the TPWD standards ref scale certification. I can certainly understand wanting to maintain certain standards, but as I pointed out in my reply, I think this is going to curtail participation in the program.

This is going to encourage more catch and kill records due to the fact that anglers will have to start hauling their catch to a location with certified scales. There are still catch and release records out there to be had that do not require scales, only a tape measure. I think that is not a very accurate way of setting lake records. We all have caught long and skinny fish that would weigh substantially less than a similarily lengthed fish in prime condition.

Just a heads up on this guys and my two cents worth of soapbox.

Thanks for the information, Curt.

There are different opinions on length vs weight.

A 40" fish is generally considered an older fish than a 36" fish (of the same species), so is it a bigger honor to catch an older/longer fish, or one that has put on more pounds? I don't have an answer, but I think both/either way is valid. Perhaps there should be a record for each, a la the catch/release vs the certified weight.

Curt, I have been weighing fish since January 2009, with my certified scale. One the submission forms there is/has been a spot to enter when the scale was last certified. Bastrop Scale Company issues a certificate that is good for one year each time I take it back for re-certification.

Mine were certified in 2009 and were good to go under previous guidelines. I understand what the TPWD is doing and primarily just wanted to give everyone a heads up. Again, however, places to get scales re-certified are few and far between and can cost a fair percentage of what the scales originally cost.

i also got mine done at bastrop scale. $20 pass/fail, good for 1 year.

Catfish guys been buying a $12 Amazon scale and paying $35 to certify it.........

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDR9E

Dcm is talking about the h110 luggage scales. Coat about 20 bucks on amazon, they are certifiable, and seem to be great quality. Go up to 110 lbs.

Got mine re certified this past week. It cost $40.00. It is worth it.

Bastrop scales is also in Austin and Victoria. You can mail it to them as well.

It all depends on how much you want the record. Many do not care. Bastrop for me is not too far out of the way, so I will get mine recertified, or I may just get a new better scale and have that one certified.


I dont think people will kill the fish just for a record. That is why the C&R record was initiated.

"Big Ted" you can take your scale to P&S Scale Company Inc. They are at 14309 Toepperwein Road Suiet #401 San Antonio. 210-650-5276. They are quick and super good. They will give up an updated certificate along with a current sticker. They have been in the scale business for over 50 years. They have been certifying my scale for years.

Sweet! I work like 5 minutes from there! I appreciate it.