Whether you are a tournament fisherman or the casual weekend warrior, there is a place in every fisherman’s tackle bag for an electronic fish scale. In this review we break down what we consider the top options for “Best Digital Fish Scale” of 2018. We base our review off of price, durability, features, and accuracy.
Rapala Touch Screen Digital Fish Scale
Rapala Touch Screen Digital Fish ScaleIf you are looking for the best digital fish scale on the market, this might just be your product of choice. It takes the #1 spot for us anyways when talking about best electronic fish scales. The Rapala name speaks for itself in the fishing world and this product is a step above the cheap, off brand, digital fish scales that typically flood the market every year. Many guys rely on this fishing scale as their “in boat” tournament scale to keep an unofficial weight estimate on where they stand, its that good. The touch screen gives it the feel of a high end product and provides the user many features literally at their fingertips.
Features:
- 50lb max scale
- weighs in lbs, oz, and kg.
- Both fish clamp or hook weigh option
- 8 storage weight options with total weight capablilty
- Backup memory for unexpected loss of power
- 400hrs on 2 AA batteries (not included).
- Retails right around $55
Pros:
- Good accuracy, trusted brand.
- Large touch screen
- weighs lbs, oz, and kg.
- comes with the weight clamp or the steel hook option
- long battery life, back up memory for unexpected power off.
- Save up to 8 weights as well as a total weight option.
Cons:
- Sensitive to water.
- Screen can not take much abuse.
- More expensive than most scales on the market.
Polychrome Gear Electronic Fish Scale
The Polychrome Gear fishing scales were a complete unknown to me at the time of this review. After doing some research on this specific fish scale, I am intrigued to say the least. You get what appears to be a fairly inexpensive digital fish scale option that has enough features to make it appealing to most any angler. Lets take a look at what landed this digital fishing scale a place on our “Best of 2018” list.
Features:
- 7″ Fish Grippers included.
- Priced right around $22.
- 99lb/45kg max weight. (weighs in .022lb increments)
- Auto shut off
- Runs on 2 AAA batteries (included)
- Tare option
- Auto-peak hold locks weight in place
- Tape measure include
Pros:
- I like the included 7″ fish grippers.
- 99lb/45kg max weight with increments of .022lb.
- Batteries included, requires 2 AAA.
- Auto shut off after 2 minutes to avoid running batteries dead.
- Tape measure is added bonus.
Cons:
- I would have liked to see the option to weight in ounces.
Rapala Floating Gripper/Digital Fish Scale Combo
Another respectable product for Rapala. I am a fan of this product because of it’s basic function and straight forward approach. There are no bells and whistles, there are no hidden features. What you see is what you get, an easy to use product at a good price, made by a reputable fishing company. Let us take a look at what gets this fishing scale a place on our list for 2018.
Features:
- Retails under $30
- 9″ floating fish grippers
- 50lb/25kg max weight
- Fish hook/fish gripper weigh option
Pros:
- I like the fishing grippers, can be used separate or with scale for easier weighing of larger fish
- Reputable brand
Cons:
- Runs on 9V batteries
- 9″ grippers are large for smaller fish
Berkley Digital Fish Scale
Berkley is another trusted brand in the fishing world and of course they have their own take on a digital fishing scale. I’m impressed with this scale for what it offers the angler for such a reasonable price. Frequently retails under $20, making it one of the more affordable electronic fishing scales on the market. Lets take a look at what lands the Berkley fish scale on our list of “Best Digital Fish Scales” of 2018.
Features:
- Retails under $20
- 50lb/25kg max weight.
- Auto-save function to store up to 10 weights at a time.
- Weighs oz/lbs/kg
- Tare function
- Auto-lock function to hold accurate weight if fish is moving.
Pros:
- Multiple fish weights and total weight option
- Water Resistant (Not waterproof)
- Auto-save function
- Great price, trusted brand
Cons:
- Hook does not do well with large fish.
- Locks into weight rather quickly, inaccurate if fish is moving.
RUNACC Digital Fishing Scale with Fish Gripper
Of all the electronic fish scales that we reviewed for this article, this one might intrigue me the most. I say that because it is made from a brand that very few have probably heard of and comes at a price point that is a step above most digital fish scales. With that being said, this thing appears to full of options and features and has gotten rave reviews from most people who have purchased this product. Lets break it down and take a look at the RUNACC fishing scale.
Features:
- Priced at just under $30
- 55lbs/25kg max weight
- Stainless steel
- Blue backlit display screen
- 3.3ft measuring tape
- weighs oz/lbs/kg
- Water resistant (not waterproof)
- auto shut off (50 seconds)
- Runs on 2 AAA batteries (not included)
Pros:
- Easy to use one handed
- Stainless steel (salt and freshwater capable)
- oz/lbs/kg options.
- water resistant (not waterproof)
- Auto shut off to save battery
Cons:
- Priced slightly higher than most options
- Unknown brand
- 2.11 oz error allowance
Dr. Meter Fishing Scales
The electronic fish scale by Dr. Meter is going to fall into your “basic” category when talking best digital fishing scales of 2018. When looking at cheap digital fishing scales you are not going to find top of the line durability or reliability. What you are going to find, however, is an electronic fishing scale that performs all of the basic functions, has a few extras, and will last you a year or two (maybe more) if you take care of it. This might not be the best digital fish scale of 2018, however, I always feel it is appropriate to include a budget option for every review. So here it is, my budget option fishing scale…….
Features:
- 110lb max weight
- Priced under $15
- Backlit LCD screen
- g/kg/oz/lb weight options
- 1 meter measuring tape – cm/in/ft
- Runs on 2 AAA batteries which are included
- 5-10gram accuracy
- 12- month warranty
Pros:
- Can’t beat the price
- Warranty is nice
- Tape measure is a nice bonus feature
- 5-10 gram accuracy
- Lots of weight options (g/kg/oz/lb)
- Batteries included
- 110 lb max weight
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Loses accuracy with increased use
- tape measure lacks usability and quality
- lacking long term durability – needs to be very well taken care of.
Hope you enjoyed our review of some of the best digital fish scale options for 2018. As always, we would love to hear any feedback from you. If you would like to see a specific product review or even see us add to our current fishing scales review, send us an email! Also, be sure to check out our Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Channel for the latest from RYG! Happy fishing and be sure to take lots of pictures and let us know how you are doing!
The Polychrome Gear digital scale now comes with a tape measure in inches and centimeters. It was the old model that only came in centimeters; which has been discontinued.
Thanks for the heads up! Good to see them make that change.