Thread: Verifying AL State Records

Been trying to search for info on verifying Alabama Record Saltwater fish, found the application and rules, but can't find info on certified scales.
Hard to find the saltwater info outdooralabama.com.
Verifying AL State fish records requires weighing on a certified scales, length/girth measurements and side view pic(s) and two unrelated witnesses

Who has 'certified' scales suitable for weighing fish? The pier? J&M?
Can an individual get a good digital scale certified?

[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt]I think Zeke’s has certified scales or you can go to the Alabama Marine Resources office in Gulf Shores; that’s where Tricia had her Pompano weighed. There is also a Alabama Marine Resources office on Dauphin Island.

Records are listed in the right side column:
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishin...water/tips.cfm

Alabama Marine Resources Division on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/AlabamaMarineResourcesDivision#!/AlabamaMarineResourcesDivision/info

Hope this helps

Any scale that is used to weigh goods for trade should be certified. The problem I perceive would be finding a scale of the correct range, that its owner would be willing to weigh a fish on. You couldn't weigh a 30 pound fish on a 20 pound produce scale or a multiple ton truck scale. A butcher may not want your fish on his meat scale because of any number of reasons. However, if I thought I had a possible record fish I would head to the nearest large marina. If they don't have a scale on site, they probably know where the nearest one is.

As far as getting your own scale certified, the cost of a state certifiable scale is rather high and they don't just slap a sticker on them for the free either. The IGFA certifies scpring scales and others for their members, but I don't know if that would fit the State's definition of certified.

One more thought to consider is that the fish must be identified by Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. You may want to locate a certied ID guy or gal in advance also.

I believe David nailed it.
I've used Fresh Market Seafood @ Hwy 59 & CR 10 north of Gulf Shores and they have another location on Ft Morgan Road.
Jemison's B&T near Dauphin Island is another that comes to mind.
Most are glad to take the time to help especially if their store gets mention in a possible record.

Joe, if you're thinking redfish or drum you might want to check with the vendor you choose ahead of time to verify they can handle a fish (on a certified scale) in that range.

BTW, any decent digital scale is going to be accurate within about 0.01% of the weight.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies and pointing out some good places.

I'm printing a list of all the oddballs and checking it when I get a big one.
Figure a lot of new records either get a quick pic and released or tossed in the cooler & eaten without a second thought.
Just like some people figure that a new record Remora has been caught, killed and tossed to the sharks numerous times on the pier.

Ya never know, and I'm an optimist. ;D