Called the Marina at Joe Pool. They can only weigh up to 30 LB.......whats that all about? So when I catch this fish again, where would I have to go and have him weighed and if its after hours for most places do I just do my best to keep him alive until I find a place? Called down at Bardwell and there scale is down.....So drive to Ft. Worth or Grapevine???
Thanks
Ken

I hope ya find a scale. I'd help but I'm next to Galveston. 50# capacity tho. I use the Pro Tournament H2 Deluxe Series with remote wireless readout myself. About $2K for the whole package. If you happen to buy your own...get Class III Legal for Trade type. GOOD scales are NOT CHEAP. I also use two Load Cell type scales. One at 100# cap. and the other a 200# cap. See. www.onlyweighscales.com (sponsor)

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/programs/fishrecords/scales.phtml

If you're intending to release the fish I recommend getting your own scales and certifying them. Even keeping the fish in a keepsack in the lake for 30 minutes to a few hours causes it to lose weight and causes stress. I use certified Reuben Heatons to weigh all of my catches, with those you only need a photo and a witness to get a record.

That sounds like the best route to take. Which set of Reuben Heaton scales do you use? Where do you get them certified? Would rather spend the money on that than haul the fish across country to weigh it. Im a big fan of just getting them back in the water ASAP. Thanks for the info.
Ken

It's awesome that you're concerned about the welfare of the fish! I use the Reuben Heaton Standard, weighs up to 120lbs in 4oz increments. Considering upgrading to either the Specimen Hunter or a digital scale for more accuracy. As I'm a carp fisherman I get them from Big Carp Tackle up in Oklahoma, they also do free certification for new scale purchases but I'd recommend calling TPWD to make sure that their certification is accepted before you buy. Call Ron Smith�Inland Fisheries � (512) 389-8302

BCT Scales

Yes, it seems that when places or even people become an official TP&W Weigh Station there must be some sort of cost involved as to how much your scales can weigh in. I recall that Darrell at Running Branch Marina on Lake Limestone noted that he was only going to go for 99# scales, as it got costlier (cost more) if he even went for 100#. Perhaps it was the cost of the scales, but of course that is only for those wishing to be an official TP&W weight station (or person or location). This is the reason I plan to get a much larger scale & certified, as I am estimating I will need one from 115# to 150#. But I figure I might as well be safe & get one that will weigh in more than that.

Texas Parks&Wildlife has a list of all certified public scales on their web site which includes location,maximum weight, and phone numbers.

I saw this list but the problem is nothing is close........Joe Pool only goes to 30 LB....Scales at Bardwell lake havent been re-certified. The place that was at Alvarado lake is closed, Called the next closest one which is at Lake Benbrook.....no answer. So in short. If I went out and caught a Blue, over 30# and wanted to beat the 22# Lake record at Joe Pool.....which I did but let it go not knowing...LOL......I would have to drive and take the fish to either Waco, Tawakoni, Bass Pro in Garland, Cedar Creek lake, Fork ...etc etc. From what I have seen there is basically nothing in the DFW area. At least according to Parks and Wildlife website. I just dont get it.

You can also use any scale as long as it has a yearly calibration certificate. Such business that have certified scales are feed stores,meat markets, salvage yards, grocery stores,etc.

Had a great conversation with Ron Smith at Parks & Wildlife. I am now in the process of getting my Ruben Heaton digital scales. Will send to a company in Bastrop for certification, send a copy of the certification paper work to Ron and I will be good to go.

There�s a scale place to cert it closer to you. It�s about a quarter mile west from the 820/Camp Bowie West exit, down the first left behind the car dealer.

Awesome!

Awesome! Those are some amazing scales, no doubt you'll be more than happy with your purchase.

There is NO COST at all. It's a volunteer program. Size of scales do NOT matter. Fill out the appropriate TPWD form online and submit.

Then it must have been the cost of the scales, as to the ones they bought back then. This was somewhere around about the time just after the drought of 2011/2012 at Lake Limestone, so business was super slow, as the lake fell so much (10 feet low by Turkey Day of 2011).