guess my first post never took...

I got a 50 lb fish scale for xmas. Is it going to be as accurate as a 25lb scale for the smaller fish I'm catching? I was thinking i should trade it for a 25lb.

anyone know for sure on this?

Is it a digital scale? If so, I don't think it will be any less accurate. I have two, a 15lbs digital and a 30lbs digital, and the 30 lbs capacity one is slightly more accurate.

Kinkers,
Yes, you are correct. Assuming both scales are the same type and quality, the 25 pounder will usually be more accurate. Most instruments are rated for accuracy (inaccuracy really) as a percentage of full scale. e.g. 5% of 25 is better than 5% of 50 lbs.

A second source of inaccuracy is the fineness of the readout. Murf's right that most digital scales have more than enough resolution to matter. It might matter with a spring scale though.

But save the bigger scale for stripers. You might not need it every time out but you'll be glad to have it when you need it!!! Hope this helps.

Thanks castaway. Sounds like you have some techie background. makes perfect sense to me.

You're welcome Kinkers! "Techie" is a nicer way of saying "geek". It doesn't always help me to catch fish but I try to contribute when I can!