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Posts: 84
| I just bought a Boga grip and I am wondering if the one I got is big enough to handle large muskies? I bought the model 130 that says weighs fish up to 30 lbs.
I am only going to use the grip to help me unhook fish. I am not intending to lift the full weight of the fish out of the water.
I would appreciate any help with anyone who has experience with these grips.
Do I need the larger model?
Are the jaws large enough?
Thanks
Chris |
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Posts: 19
| thats the same size i have. it worked fine ,we didn't lift them out of the water either.when they start thrashing around hang on tight because the lure will be moving also.we have since went back to a net,so i could have both hands free to get hooks out or cut quicker. |
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| I'm not saying boga grips are good or bad. They do appear to be a handy release tool at times. I do have a question though. Since I've never used a boga grip, I'm not sure exactly how they work. Do they puncture the mouth, or do they potentially wound a muskie's mouth? If not, I might pick one up too. They appear to do the same thing as a jaw spreader.
I've seen guys take pictures with boga grips too. Boga grip supports the mouth and free hand supports the belly. I wonder what's worse...a sore mouth from a boga grip or a torqued jaw and mangled gills from our hands? |
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Posts: 646
Location: In a shack in the woods | I would use it to hold a fish or take a picture but would like one to hold the fish while unhooking. I think it would make unhooking a lot faster and less stressfull on the fish taking less time in the net |
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Posts: 19
| i have never puncture a mouth of a fish.as for a picture i would rather hold it from under the gill plate,makes for a nicer picture not having the boga in the picture. if your mangling gills your holding it wrong. boga grip holds the fish by the weight of the fish,we had some get out of it if we didn't have it high enough to hold the weight of the fish. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | The best way I can put it is that Bogas have their place. I bought one years ago for use on salmon. They're invaluable in landing a big salmon while wading. Gives you positive control of the fish, allows for unhooking and reviving and you never lay a hand on the fish.
I've used it on pike and muskie until a few years ago I learned how to properly hold one through the gill plate. I still carry it in the boat and have used it a few times in the past couple of years. For me, they work well over the side of the boat if the hook is deep or the fish tangled. You can keep a grip on the fish and put fewer fingers in her mouth when there ain't room. But if you've got the room for a normal hold, use a normal hold. As has been said, I never support the weight of the fish on the Boga, and I have the 30 lb model and the jaws on the Boga are plenty big for the jaws on a muskie.
In their time and place, the Bogas do well, but they're not for all occasions and should not be used to compensate for improper fish handling techniques because they can damage a fish if not used correctly. |
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Posts: 84
| Thanks to everyone for the input.
I mainly bought the Boga for when a fish has swallowed a lure deep in its mouth.
had one last year that was a real nightmare to get the hooks out. |
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