Eddie101 Posted June 13, 2020 Posted June 13, 2020 I've no qualms about sticking my finger inside of a fish's mouth IF I'm using a single hook. However, with treble hooks I'd have to be extra careful, but I still get hooked from time to time which is never fun. I've been thinking about using a fish grabber in the future, and I'm wondering what's out there to avoid pain/bleeding? Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted June 13, 2020 Super User Posted June 13, 2020 Any bass, pike, walleye I land with a net first off. Then use a Rapala gripper when removing hooks. Cheap and it's been reliable so far. I also use one of two pairs of pliers to remove the hooks...first one for most of them, the second for deep (gut hooked) lures. 2 1 Quote
Eddie101 Posted June 13, 2020 Author Posted June 13, 2020 5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said: Any bass, pike, walleye I land with a net first off. Then use a Rapala gripper when removing hooks. Cheap and it's been reliable so far. I also use one of two pairs of pliers to remove the hooks...first one for most of them, the second for deep (gut hooked) lures. Which net do you use/recommend? Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted June 13, 2020 Super User Posted June 13, 2020 Just now, Eddie101 said: Which net do you use/recommend? All depends on where/how you're fishing. I'm out of a canoe, so it's a short handled Ranger Bass and Trout 2200 that I picked up at DSG. Would probably be good for shore fishing as well, but if you're out of a boat I'd go for a longer handle. 1 1 Quote
looking45 Posted June 13, 2020 Posted June 13, 2020 There's a few plastic ones that work good, and they're relatively inexpensive. If you want one of the first ones that hit the market and the one almost all of the others are designed from, get one of these. They won't break and will last forever https://www.cabelas.com/product/Original-Boga-Grip/734456.uts Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted June 13, 2020 Super User Posted June 13, 2020 8 minutes ago, Eddie101 said: Which net do you use/recommend? Frabil is good. A-Jay Quote
Eddie101 Posted June 13, 2020 Author Posted June 13, 2020 14 minutes ago, looking45 said: There's a few plastic ones that work good, and they're relatively inexpensive. If you want one of the first ones that hit the market and the one almost all of the others are designed from, get one of these. They won't break and will last forever https://www.cabelas.com/product/Original-Boga-Grip/734456.uts Looks great!! 14 minutes ago, A-Jay said: Frabil is good. A-Jay For my $$, the Smallie looks even better! 23 minutes ago, looking45 said: There's a few plastic ones that work good, and they're relatively inexpensive. If you want one of the first ones that hit the market and the one almost all of the others are designed from, get one of these. They won't break and will last forever https://www.cabelas.com/product/Original-Boga-Grip/734456.uts Found this on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Boga-Grip-30-by-Captain-Hook-Fish-lip-grips-over-1k-sold-100-satisfied-FB/153741674524?hash=item23cbb7c81c:g:YrIAAOSwNClbraLI 1 Quote
CountryboyinDC Posted June 13, 2020 Posted June 13, 2020 https://www.thefishgrip.net These are almost ubiquitous on fishing kayaks. They're about $15, don't seem to hurt the fish. I use them not only for taking hooks out of toothy fish (mostly snakeheads for me, unfortunately, I made my 10,000 cast in the wrong direction to catch a walleye) and treble hooks where I don't want to use my fingers to hold the fish, but also to hold the fish if I'm going to measure it on a bump board. The Rapala gripper that @MN Fisher posted looks really similar, but I've never seen one in a store. Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted June 13, 2020 Super User Posted June 13, 2020 2 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said: The Rapala gripper that @MN Fisher posted looks really similar, but I've never seen one in a store. Another DSG purchase there - TW also carries them. 1 Quote
Super User PhishLI Posted June 13, 2020 Super User Posted June 13, 2020 https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/rapala-9-floating-fish-gripper-16rapafltngfshgrpfac/16rapafltngfshgrpfac?sku=16430169&camp=CSE:DSG_92700040964918496_pla_aud-878140242411:pla-504581123936&gclid=CjwKCAjw8pH3BRAXEiwA1pvMsSwkhoL9VkgZ9wXtabFXhGnybze0RPNtlGk_oacuAUYVUvHlIa3AARoCkmIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Rapala offers a 6" and a 9". I'd say get both, but if you can only get one I say to get the 9". When using the 9" a thrashing fish is less likely to get you hooked with trebles. I've had some very close calls with the 6", so it stays attached to my scale. Quote
Super User BrianMDTX Posted June 13, 2020 Super User Posted June 13, 2020 I just bought a Fish Grip Jr. for $9.99. Used it several times the past two days. Easy to use, fits in a pocket and seems to hold tight without causing injury. Quote
Super User RoLo Posted June 14, 2020 Super User Posted June 14, 2020 I had a Boga Grip with built-in scale I used in saltwater. The scale was inaccurate and the small gripping area was injurious to fish. It's now collecting dust somewhere in my garage. Roger Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted June 14, 2020 Super User Posted June 14, 2020 5 hours ago, Eddie101 said: Anyone tried this? I wouldn't want to use that - the grip area is so small that puncturing/ripping the jaw is a possibility on larger fish. I like the Rapala because of the larger surface area that contacts the fish's jaw...less pressure in a single area. 1 Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted June 14, 2020 Super User Posted June 14, 2020 A number of years ago, I was growing up & down the aisles of a local BPS and found a tool, kind of like the grippers previously posted, but with a 30" handle. I use it on fish that are too big to flip into the boat. It is out of the way on the front deck, much more out of the way than a net would be. (I've had a variety of nets in the past). The only catch is that you need to play the fish until it is kinda quiet, then reach down with the grippers open, lock on to the fish mouth and that fish ain't going anywhere, except into the boat to remove the hook, take a picture and turn it loose. The only modifications I've made to this tool are pool noodle floats, that will float the tool should I drop it overboard and a pretty thick coating of plastic dip over the grippers, seem to protect the fish's mouth better than the bare metal grabbers did. Since I bought that tool I've never seen another one like it, in person or in any catalog. I'd be bummed if that tool came up MIA. Edit - Immediately after posting this, I googled "long handled fish gripper" and found the tool, on E-Bay and a couple of other places. It is still weird that I haven't seen anything like it anytime I've been out gear shopping. Quote
Super User FishTank Posted June 14, 2020 Super User Posted June 14, 2020 I have the Rapala white grip listed above and they have worked well for me. I have used the other style for salt water and it works on big fish (grouper, tarpon, redfish) but on smaller fish (bass, small mouth, etc) I struggled. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted June 15, 2020 Super User Posted June 15, 2020 I have the fish grip , the rapala looks very similar . I use them all the time with treble hook lures . No reason to take a chance . A little bass got me two years ago, two hooks dug in and it was still flopping . Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted June 15, 2020 Super User Posted June 15, 2020 On 6/13/2020 at 12:05 PM, MN Fisher said: All depends on where/how you're fishing. I'm out of a canoe, so it's a short handled Ranger Bass and Trout 2200 that I picked up at DSG. Would probably be good for shore fishing as well, but if you're out of a boat I'd go for a longer handle. I have the same one for my kayak. Good little net. It has served me well. Quote
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