Reuben Heaton Specimen Hunter Scales

Due to the dominance of freshwater fishing and the generally smaller maximum size of freshwater fish caught in the UK compared to sea fish, we sea anglers have been neglected when it comes to affordable weigh-scales to record our bigger fish.

Most sensibly priced scales only weigh to a maximum of 40lbs, and the cost of scales with a capacity over 40lbs can be as much as £200 and beyond the reach of the individual pocket.

If you get a good tope or conger and want to return it alive, then you either pay up for the expensive scales or risk never quite knowing just exactly how much that fish of a lifetime weighed. I've also seen anglers with big cod and ling running round their friendly shop-keepers trying to find one that will weigh the fish for them. Far better to be independent......and now you can!

Reuben Heaton, the specimen scale makers, now have two scales in their Specimen Hunter range. These weigh scales read good old British pounds and ounces, too! You a have a choice of weighing to 60lbs by 1oz divisions, or to 120lbs by 2oz divisions.

Both sizes have a circular diameter of 6.5ins. Their own weight is just 1lb 10ozs, so they're easy to carry around, even in a tackle box or rucksack.

The weight pointer needle has a Beta-Light at the tip for easier reading in dark conditions. The support bracket the scales are suspended from when weighing is constructed from 8mm bar and is totally strong. Most important, and often a weak point on other types of scales, the hanging hook, which the weigh sling is positioned on, is 5mm bar and lifted weights to roughly 100lbs without problem during testing.

The adjustment screw is positioned at the top, just underneath the support bracket. It's a large 20mm diameter circular screw top with gripped edges. It's easy to use with wet fingers and at night. Adjustment is instant and precise. Turn the adjuster screw a fraction and the pointer needle moves a comparable amount. The accuracy of the scales was excellent. Exact weights of 20lbs, 40lbs, 60lbs and 70lbs were tried and were as near as damn it on the scale!

The scales will suffer minimal corrosion problems being constructed from a black plastic back and clear cover screen. However, sensible care is suggested to protect the clear screen which, as with all scales, will scratch and become less clear with use and age if not protected.

Size wise, shore anglers will favour the 60lb scales, while dinghy anglers will obviously go for the 120lb type. Both types are also suitable for small sea angling clubs to weigh match catches and specimen fish.

The Reuben Heaton Specimen Hunter scales cost £89.99 for both sizes. There are also accessories such as a protective pouch at £10.99, a weigh sling costing £11.99, and a weigh support bar at £7.50. The scales are available from all Leeda stockists and other major tackle shops.