A skimmer basket with weighted handle having a novel locking mechanism is disclosed. The body of the skimmer basket may comprise a plurality of openings. The apparatus may comprise a cylindrically shaped weighted handle having a top side and a bottom side wherein the top side is fixed with a handle. Further, a base cap may be fixed to the bottom side of the weighted handle, wherein the bottom side of the base cap has a rectangular notch. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a base adaptor having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of the base adaptor comprises of a T-shaped bar that locks into the rectangular notch provided on the bottom side of the base cap, and wherein the bottom side of the base cap is fastened to the base portion of the skimmer basket using one or more fasteners.