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Location: MN | I am going to buy a fish grip to help handle and unhook deeply hooked fish. I had a fish inhale a bucktail recently and it would have been very helpful for the release. I got her unhooked cleanly but it was a little hairy trying to keep me and the fish from getting injured.
Are there any brand recommendations other than Boga Grips? I would prefer not to spend $150 on a tool I will rarely use. I do not plan to lift a fish out of the net with it or weigh them. I did a search on here and Lucid Grips were recommended but they appear to be out of business. Any other goods ones for a reasonable cost?
Thanks
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Location: PA Angler | I would not use boga grips on a fish anymore. It injures them and can destroy their jaws. If you looking for something I would get a jaw spreader but I’ve never used them so I would think they are bettter than something that grips their lips.
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| I bought one from Rapala. I have only used once, to hold the fish still as I unwrapped the net which was tightly wound around her. It was for her protection and mine. I had talked to a guide at a seminar and he said he occasionally uses one for holding the fish still in the net. His reasoning was if you don't pick the fish up but just use it to hold the fish stationary, it does less harm that a badly hooked fish trashing all over in the net, getting additional hooks in itself, etc. That makes sense to me. I do use a jaw spreader from time to time but that is a different scenario. |
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Location: PA Angler | I can see just holding it still and on flat surface it working but don’t pick them up and put pressure on it. I would let go if they try to spin. |
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Posts: 1315
Location: E. Tenn | There are Boga Grips out there that have a swivel, for when the fish decides to pitch a fit.. |
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Posts: 1749
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | As said, be sure to get one that swivels. I used to have one that didn’t and a fish about broke my wrist. I never use it to lift them, just control them in the net when they go ape $&it. |
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Posts: 404
Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | What works well for that purpose is welding gloves and knife proof gloves. The welding glove to hold the fish, and knife proof glove for whoever is working pliers/cutters. You need to control and calm the fish for this type of work and a firm grip with a welding glove (or two if necessary) will do that. Can dunk the fish frequently to get it some O2 while maintaining control.
Grips you are just going to hurt the fish or yourself. Okay for ice fishing situations where one can use the hole to control fish, but even then only lightly hooked pike. Fine for big walleye that get stunned from a jaw grip - not so pike/musky. |
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Posts: 404
Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | remove duplicate
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Posts: 2373
Location: Chisholm, MN | Angling Oracle - 7/18/2025 8:08 AM
What works well for that purpose is welding gloves and knife proof gloves. The welding glove to hold the fish, and knife proof glove for whoever is working pliers/cutters. You need to control and calm the fish for this type of work and a firm grip with a welding glove (or two if necessary) will do that. Can dunk the fish frequently to get it some O2 while maintaining control.
Grips you are just going to hurt the fish or yourself. Okay for ice fishing situations where one can use the hole to control fish, but even then only lightly hooked pike. Fine for big walleye that get stunned from a jaw grip - not so pike/musky.
Will welding or knife proof gloves protect from a 7/0 from going into your hand? I've made it 27 years of musky fishing without an incident but I worry my luck will run out. |
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Posts: 404
Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | Kirby Budrow - 7/18/2025 2:01 PM
Angling Oracle - 7/18/2025 8:08 AM
What works well for that purpose is welding gloves and knife proof gloves. The welding glove to hold the fish, and knife proof glove for whoever is working pliers/cutters. You need to control and calm the fish for this type of work and a firm grip with a welding glove (or two if necessary) will do that. Can dunk the fish frequently to get it some O2 while maintaining control.
Grips you are just going to hurt the fish or yourself. Okay for ice fishing situations where one can use the hole to control fish, but even then only lightly hooked pike. Fine for big walleye that get stunned from a jaw grip - not so pike/musky.
Will welding or knife proof gloves protect from a 7/0 from going into your hand? I've made it 27 years of musky fishing without an incident but I worry my luck will run out.
No, not if the hooks are as sharp as they should be.
Intention is to just protect from teeth (welding glove) while you lip them with the same intention to lip-stun as in a hold for a photo. Knife proof glove is for cutting hooks via the gill rakers if you have to go that route. Welding gloves are pretty bulky for handling pliers/cutters.
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