The Fish Grip - A Question

[SeeNoSun]

Yesterday I was out on my Kayak (Old Town Predator PDL) and I pulled in what may have been my PB for my kayak fishing on the Occoquan Reservoir.  The hook was extremely deep (not swallowed) with the barb lodged in some very tough tissue.  It took quite a while to get the hook out.  I was concerned for the bass and decided to get it back in the water as soon as the hook was out.  I felt that the additional time to weigh, measure and set up to photograph the bass might put its survival from the traumatic event at risk so I put him back in the water and he swam off.

 

Needless to say missing the opportunity to know how big the bass was and capture a photo of what may have been a fish of a lifetime was disappointing to say the least.  Being on a kayak the options are limited compared to a bass boat equipped with a live well.

 

So I began to think about a better process for handling a big bass (even when hook removal is simple) while setting up to measure, weigh and photograph my catch.  

 

I have "The Fish Grip" which is great for handling toothy fish but have rarely used it for Bass.  This is the American made (black) version by Kahara not the cheap Chinese (orange) version which is just called "Fish Grip." 

 

My question is... would it be safe for the bass to secure the catch in the water by attaching "The Fish Grip" to the bass' lower lip and secure it with a short lease to my kayak?  I'm thinking this may be the best way to free up both hands so I can set up quickly with a low risk to the life of the bass or the loss of an opportunity to document the catch.

 

Thoughts on this idea and the reliability of this product (or others that might work better) would be appreciated.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Similar to old timers tying a stringer of fish to back of the boat.

 

Only downside is if fish's lip has just a clip on it, one good thrash and see ya fishy

[Steveo-1969]

I don't fish from a kayak, but I think what you are describing is very normal for kayak fishermen.  I have seen this on TV, YouTube and members here have talked about it.

[SeeNoSun]

51 minutes ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Similar to old timers tying a stringer of fish to back of the boat.

 

Only downside is if fish's lip has just a clip on it, one good thrash and see ya fishy

That was one of my concerns.  I'm not so sure The Fish Grip would be secure enough.  One method I have used was to unhook them and return it to the net so the bottom is in the water but the top is out.  I hold the net handle under my legs while I set everything up.  This method is pretty cumbersome and I'm not sure it is 100% secure either.

 

Ultimately I need to have two hands, a secure and safe fish while setting up to document the catch and a healthy release. 

34 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

I don't fish from a kayak, but I think what you are describing is very normal for kayak fishermen.  I have seen this on TV, YouTube and members here have talked about it.

I'll check out youtube. Thanks!

 

[J Francho]

It would be VERY difficult for a fish to open a FishGrip.

[moguy1973]

I've done this before when I've had a fish on in current in my kayak and I was heading towards some downed trees. My Fish Grip is on a short leash and I just clipped it onto the bass's lip with the lure still in it's mouth  so I could lay my rod down and use both hands to paddle away from the trees.  It takes quite a bit for the jaws of the Fish Grip to open up.  

[scaleface]

2 hours ago, SeeNoSun said:

would it be safe for the bass to secure the catch in the water by attaching "The Fish Grip" to the bass' lower lip and secure it with a short lease

I do this . Then you could weigh it with the fish grip to . 

[JustJames]

I did this a few time with my kayak, when looking for scale and such. 

I attached fish grip to landyard like this one.

 

[Turtle135]

That is what I do. As soon as possible I get the bass on the fish grip back into the water while I get the camera ready. If the hook is deep I will cut the line and let her swim on the grip while I get the pliers ready. I find that the Hawg Trough makes a good operating table for a deeply hooked bass. If you wet the board there is very little slime removal. The one mistake I have seen is using too short of a tether. I have about 4 feet of paracord. On too short of a line she can't really swim around. I have witnessed a heavy bass pop off a grip as she was able to use her weight and a strong thrash on a short tether.

 

If you spend some time practicing with smaller fish you catch you can have them out of the water for less than 15 seconds.

 

 

[Deleted account]

Leave it in the water, get your camera, scale, ruler and everything else you are going to torture the poor thing with ready, then take a few deep breaths. Only then pull the fish out and do the Torquemada thing (if you must), put the fish back in the water, get your pliers, forceps, and everything else you feel you will require ready, then unhook and release the fish as quickly and efficiently as possible, keeping the fish in the water and/or putting it back periodically if it's not going to be an outpatient procedure. 

[TackleDavid]

I use the fish grip also to control the fish better while in the kayak as a fish flopping around can put a trebel hook in your leg and also knock other items into the water. I weigh fish using the grip also so I don't have to poke holes in the fish.

[flyfisher]

I use my fish grips for the purpose you are talking about and it does fine.  No bass will thrash them open but i would be more concerned with them potentially injuring themselves.  

[BassB8Caster]

Could also go to Wal-Mart and buy a laundry bag for cheap and tie it off to the kayak. I carry one with me for when I catch the new state record (or at least one worthy of pics and measurements).