Fish grippers vs. Boga Grip

[desmobob]

For years, I've used one of those bright orange "Fish Gripper" pliers to hold toothy bi-catch like pike, pickerel and bowfin while unhooking them, but found they aren't really dependable on large fish.  I tried a pistol grip style fish grabber from Bass Pro with metal jaws, but the first time I used it on a big channel cat, it got destroyed when the fish started thrashing. I always try to release fish without putting them down on the carpet or even pulling them out of the water, if possible, so a good jaw-gripping tool is important.

So... I finally bit the bullet and bought a Boga Grip.  Several of my buddies use them when inshore fishing and I know they are a nice product, but I never could make myself part with the $125 to get one.  Well, now that I did, I have no regrets.  It is extremely high quality, made in the USA of all US-made parts, and works perfectly.  It also has a built-in spring scale.  They offer it in a 15-lb. range and 30-lb. range.  I chose the 30, and they state it's accurate to one measurement increment -- 1/2-lb. in the case of the 30-lb. model.  

I like the built-in scale because when I land a big pike or bowfin while bass fishing, I'm sometimes curious about its weight, but don't want to spend the time to get out my digital scale.  The Boga Grip gives me a fairly accurate weight while I hoist the fish up to unhook it.

If you've been thinking about purchasing one of theses, I think you won't be disappointed.  It's one of those really nice tools that impresses you enough to make you forget about how much you paid for it!  :-)

Tight lines,

Bob

 

[J Francho]

What I like about the Boga for pike in particular, is that they can spin while still attached.  I still weight my fish in a FishGrip with a scale through the hole, but a Boga is a little better.  AT 10x the cost, it should be, lol.

[A-Jay]

Congrats on the boga grip purchase - I'm a user & abuser myself

If you haven't already done so, purchase / install a float to it.

You'll be glad you did.

A-Jay

 

[dave]

My partner and I use what we call "bogus grips" ...knock offs.  

Not nearly as good but...at 10X less the cost...

[blckshirt98]

I use a Boga since I started out fishing the surf and it got so many rave reviews by the surf fishing community (halibut have some gnarly teeth)  You do lose some of the preciseness with the analog scale and only 1/4 lb weight increments (I got the 15lb model) but it's built like a tank and will last you a lifetime.

On a sidenote, Bogas are almost impossible to find on sale so what I did was get one from American Legacy, because when you first sign up for their newsletter you get $25 off your next order of $100 or more, which puts the Boga right in the wheelhouse.

[desmobob]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Congrats on the boga grip purchase - I'm a user & abuser myself

If you haven't already done so, purchase / install a float to it.

You'll be glad you did.

A-Jay

 

I had planned to do that right away.  What are you using for a float on yours?  I started looking around for something and didn't find anything suitable.  I live in the middle of nowhere so I'll probably end up ordering something from West Marine.  Does anyone know a rough formula for buoyancy vs. diameter for plastic floats?  I need to get a ballpark figure on what size float I'll need to float a Boga!

Tight lines,

Bob

[bigturtle]

i use fish grips. bogas are too expensive and heavy for me

[dsqui]

for floats i always just cut a section of swimmig noodle and put a wine cork in the hole to attach a string to.  noodles are cheap and you can make adjustments to how big they are to how much the thing weighs

[desmobob]

20 minutes ago, dsqui said:

for floats i always just cut a section of swimmig noodle and put a wine cork in the hole to attach a string to.  noodles are cheap and you can make adjustments to how big they are to how much the thing weighs

Excellent advice.  Thanks!

Tight lines,

Bob

[dsqui]

just another little tid bit of advice i leave my line thats conected to the float on my tools about 3 feet long so you arent fighting the float being in your way when you are trying to unhook those toothy critters

[IgotWood]

I have had my 60lb boga (a tad overkill for LMB fishing...) for 8 years now, and it looks and functions as if it were brand new. I used to hang it from my belt while wetsuiting in the surf. No rust at all. Just rinse it off, and spray some WD40 on it every once in a while. You can even send them in to be IGFA certified. I have to admit, it does look a bit funny hanging a 4-5lb fish from it. I am thinking of selling it and buying a 15lb boga, however, I'm not sure how wide the jaws open on it.