|
|
Posts: 34
Location: St Cloud, MN | I have been thinking of purchasing one of these grip things for a while now but i am unsure about how effective it will be. i think it could be a good fit for handling fish in all situations. the only concern is if it will harm a muskie. rapala says it will not but i am not sure. let me know what you think?
Attachments
----------------
 lockngrip.jpg (14KB - 264 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Location: Athens, Ohio | It looks like a BOGA grip. I don't think it will harm the fish if used properly. By that, I mean, you can use it to grab the jaw but please remember to support the weight of the body by using a horizontal hold. Don't use it to lift. If you hang the fish up by this device, I guess the weight will harm the jaw and internal organs. m |
|
| |
|
Posts: 267
Location: Right behind you (tap, tap) BOOO | My only concern with that tool would be whether or not the head has a swivel. If you were to put that on a fish and the fish started to roll the fish could be in trouble without a swivel. The original Boga Grip has a swiel head and the Rapala ones didn't, I can't tell from the picture if this does or not. Esox23 |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I will never use one, I think they do more harm than good.
But on the other side of it is, as a guide I fish with people that have never caught a musky before. You tell them to put the death grip on their jaw, but it never fails that they don't.
Once that fish starts to shake and go wild in their hands with a sissy grip on it, that fish is on the bottom of the boat, flopping around after it just fell 6 feet.
So I won't use one, but I see where their advantages are. Some people can't grip muskies like they need to due to some sort of physical reason or condition, some people don't grip them like they need to because they don't know how, some kids might have to small of hands to put way up their gills, etc.....
It is just a personal preference. And on a materialistic approach and stand point, I think the photos look funny!
I hope they don't harm the fish, but you never know.
Edited by MikeHulbert 2/27/2004 10:28 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I was thinking about getting one for working on a fish in the net. That way you've got a death grip on the fish and the hooks are away from your hands. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | The stress aside from holding the fishes weight from the lower jaw I hadn't thought about a fish twisting hard. Can you imagine how you would feel if you ripped the lower jaw loose or off the fish?
I tried one that was simular and promptly sold it after one trip on the water with it. I had two fish in a row at boatside with their jaws clamped shut. Try getting that thing in their then. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | There are differant versions of the Rapala, one does swivel. I have one, I"m not a big fan, but I do use it occasionally, because I don't use a net. If the fish is hooked really well, I clamp it on, just to hold the fish, and keep it in the water while removing hooks. On the down side, I've seen quite a few people use these to "hang" the fish. So I guess you could say I use it occasionally as a release tool, not a way to hold fish, just not a good idea in my opinion. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5230
| I see the way alot of people hold fish ,I wish they would use this device.I do not think it will hurt the fish and probably help save a few for people who can not lift them or are beginers to the sport.0723
Bill Ramsey
Hedicke Lake Musky Guide Service |
|
| |
|
Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | I use a Boga Grip and have for several years, both for muskies and in saltwater. I use the Boga to control the fish when taking out the hooks, not to "hang" it. I have never broken a jaw or damaged a fish. Boga is now making the 60 lb. size again, but it is pricey at around $200. Nothing wrong with the Boga if used properly, especially when fishing alone. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | To keep hands away fron the hooks I use very long handled needle nose pliers with an offset jaw. I simply raise the head of the fish by pulling up the net material and do the hook removal with the pliers in the other hand. If the fish has the "clamped jaw" I use the spring loaded jaw spreaders but only when I absolutely have to. I don't care for the Boga Grip tool very much. But, I guess that's why they make so many different tools, eh? |
|
| |
|
| Wouldn't the Boga break off teeth if the fish shakes? Just figured since it's metal that...well you know.
I've never used one. Didn't see the need, but hey I've been wrong before. I guess for weighing the fish in the net it would work good.
Ty |
|
| |
|
Posts: 26
Location: Carol Stream, IL | Get a Boga Grip! They are expensive but well worth the money in my opinion!
Luke S |
|
| |
|
Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | I have a boga grip for handling fish in the net. The one thing that is a must in a fish gripping tool like this is it's ability to swivel when the fish twists and torques around. I would not like to see the damage a non-swiveling one would do when the fish goes nuts.
Edited by ToddM 2/27/2004 11:23 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 328
Location: MN | I found out the New Rapala's lock n weighs are similiar to Boga Grips. You want the Lock N Weigh 20 or 60lb because it swivels.
Do not get the Lock n Grip - this does not swivel and if the fish thrashes, ou'll hurt the fish and more importantly, yourself as you could break your wrist....
I'd save $50.00 and get the Rapala! $50=more lures.....
My 2 cents... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3926
| I don't see that any sort of a tool like this is necessary if you handle the fish "properly".
In this contetext, "Properly" means netting the muskie and allowing the fish to wallow in the water/net at boatside while you prepare release tools and the camera. A pair of Lindy Gloves is a much better investment than a grip of any kind. Just grab the damn fish right, behind the damn gills and take the damn hooks out. Lean over the side of the boat and take and/or cut the hooks out. It takes being firm, grab a damn good hold and be in charge, the fish will thrash but hold on tight. Long nosed pliers surely doesn't mean you won't get hooked, take from me (look at photo album). Me, I often cut the line as soon as the fish is in the net to make sure she doesn't damage my rod while twisting in the net. Anyway, get the bait out of the way first. Get the camera ready second. Lift the fish and take the pic third. Last, let the fish go.
I wish I knew for sure what the 48" river fattie (pic at left) weighed, but I would never hang a big muskie by the jaw to determine weight as I'm concerned that I would harm the fish. I don't really care what small muskies weighs, I just measure 'em if they look over 38" or so.
Ah, I'm preachin' now. Sorry..... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1046
| Old school for me, hooks and hands! Can`t let a little fish scare me! |
|
| |
|
| Dude, that's no Boga; looks to be a catfish gripper. I've seen them used around here before. If you do use a grip, use the Boga brand, or at least one that is swivel based and will turn if a fish twists, saving your wrist and the fish's jaw. I use the Boga at times for larger salt water fish if I happen to catch one and worry about my shock leader breaking; me last 'ski was a whoppin' 27", so I didn't need anything!  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 75
Location: ft wayne, IN | Personally I think they should make these ILLEGAL for use on our muskies! I've witnessed local guides/fishermen totally rip a jaw right off from several muskies in front of me. They grip their jaw, the fish spazzes out and oops the fish is in the water and its jaw is in the boga grip!! Bye-bye Mr Muskie--no doubt a lethal blow! This seems to be particularly problematic for the smaller fish--the wilder ones of course! The EXTRACTOR seems to keep one far enough away from the wild ones and does a nice job working the hooks. Come on men, we don't need these "tools for wimps" we're rough and tough musky dudes aren't we?? Just keep 'em wet, settle YOUR nerves, and sweet talk 'em a bit before you gently caress those razor sharp hooks out of their bodies, snap a pic for your memoirs, and kiss them goodbye........treat these girls right and they'll always be back for more! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 34
Location: St Cloud, MN | thanks for all your input guys. since i posted this question i have bought a frabil-big kahuna powercatch net. the reason i was looking into a option like this is because last october i had a fat 43" fish's tooth rip through the kevlar on a lindy glove and ended up with seven stitches in my casting thumb. worst part about that was we were only on the water a 1/2 hour and it wrecked a good day of fishing. from now on i'll be using the net and letting the cradle collect dust!
jeffo |
|
| |
