As everyone knows, fishermen exaggerate the size and especially the weight
of the fish they catch. We hear, "Yeah, we were catching 4, 5 and 6 pounders,
got one that had to be over 8!" With Largemouth Bass, the weights described are
almost always double the real weight of the fish. Why is that?
- A Bass is usually held by only the thumb and first finger, so a 3 pound
fish "feels" heavier, like 6 pounds. Try picking up a 1 liter soda bottle
by 2 fingers. Feels like 10 pounds, right? But it's only 4 1/2 pounds.
- They just look heavy!
- A Largemouth's huge head and gills add to the effect
- A big bass looks as heavy as a 9 pound baby or your Tabby cat, but is probably
only half of that
- Men are prone to exaggerating the size of many things
We have measured and weighed many bass and here's what we've found:
|
Length:
|
Weight Range:
|
|
13"
|
.7-1 pounds
|
|
14"
|
.9-1.3 pounds
|
|
15"
|
1.1-1.4 pounds
|
|
16"
|
1.25-1.9 pounds
|
|
17"
|
1.8-2.5 pounds
|
|
18"
|
2.2-3.4 pounds
|
|
19"
|
3.3-4.2 pounds
|
|
20"
|
4-5.5 pounds
|
|
21"
|
4.25-5.75 pounds
|
|
21.5"-23"
|
5-9 pounds
|
There is a well-known formula that comes out to within 5% of actual weight.
(Length X (Girth Squared))/880=weight in pounds
Here are some actual sizes & weights compared to the calculated weight:
| Length |
Girth |
Scale Weight |
Calc. weight |
| 13 |
8.25 |
.8 |
1 |
| 14 |
9 |
1.2 |
1.28 |
| 15 |
9.5 |
1.3 |
1.53 |
| 16 |
9.5 |
1.5 |
1.64 |
| 16 |
10 |
1.75 |
1.82 |
| 16.5 |
10.75 |
2 |
2.16 |
| 18 |
12.25 |
3.1 |
3.07 |
| 19 |
12.75 |
3.6 |
3.5 |
| 21 |
14 |
4.6 |
4.7 |
Some bass have a barrel shaped body and some are sleeker, so the girth is
the main factor, not the length.
The Length is relatively easy to accurately measure. Simply lay the fish on a flat
surface. With the fish's mouth closed, measure from the tip of its lip to the
tip of the tail. The Girth is trickier because
- The measurement has to be more exact. 1/4" either way can make a big difference
in the calculated weight
- It's easy to over tighten the measuring tape on the fattest part of its belly
- The Girth can measure slightly differently if the fish is laying on a flat
surface or hanging. Probably best to measure the Girth while the bass is on a flat surface
A Largemouth that is free of battle scars has no place to grab with the small hook on some scales.
An easy way is to put the scale hook in the fishing line's snap swivel before the hook or lure
is removed. Sometimes the hooks have to be immediately and carefully removed if there is a chance
of injury to the fish (or fisherman). That is where the measurements can be taken and the
weight calculated using the formula. Some Digital scales have a nice clamp that grabs the
fish's jaw to safely weigh it.
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