When weighing in big fish do have to take it ashore?

[heath j]

Does the fish have to be taken ashore to get an official weight? Kinda obvious but not sure.

 

[EricM]

For all IGFA records the fish must be weighed on the shore or dock. Not so much a problem with inland waters, but getting an accurate weight in the swells of the ocean would be nearly impossible, so the rule applies to all. I know of a fisherman who set up a tripod-type rig on the bottom in the tidal flats and they accepted the weight since it was on solid ground. For Tennessee state records you pretty much have to kill the fish since species testing and/or a fish biologist identification is required.

 

[tarheel]

What kind of scale do you have to weigh it on and who has to be present and what paperwork has to be filled out.
Also do you have to take a picture also?

 

[EricM]

Tarheel, The scale must be a certified scale. The state, the IGFA, and some manufacturers can certify scales. Finding someone with certified scales who will allow you to weigh a fish on them might be a problem, most meat departments, etc., won't allow it. A farmer's co-op or someone like that who sells by weight in large amounts would be your best bet. As for witnesses, someone who is familiar with the scale must act as weighmaster and one other person must sign as witnesses. Because I have my own certified scales, I grab anyone nearby or at a ramp. show them how to read them, and have them and anyone else who witnesses the weighing sign the forms, which I carry with me. The paperwork required and all of the rules are available on the International Game Fish Angler's website and can be downloaded for free. I have never caught a Tennessee state record so I'm not sure about all of the hoops to jump through for TWRA, but I did get to be a witness to the catch and weighing of the state record white sucker for a friend. That application info is available on the TWRA website.

 

[BigFishGuide]

Must go ashore and the scale must be legal or legal for trade such as a grocery store scale. A legal scale will have a sticker on it. Legal scales must be checked ever so often for assured accuracy.