Lip grips

[red]

I was thinking of getting a lip grip for use on wrasse but saw online that their not good for some fish like pike. Is there any issues with their use on wrasse? I had a few chunky fish last year that were a little akward to keep hold of whilst unhooking. I figured a grip might make it easier on the fish and myself if i cant keep hold of it with one hand while its trashing round on rocks.
I wont be forking out big bucks for a boga as it wont get a whole lot of use and can get a cheap one local for €20-30.
So are they ok for wrasse or can they damage its jaw? I cant find any info thru google.
Thanks.

[JOHN1]

Here is a bargain find by timod, might be worth looking into one

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=42743

[red]

Here is a bargain find by timod, might be worth looking into one

http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/foru ... 28&t=42743

Cheers john. I found that thru the search but for an extra €4 id rather buy local in case it breaks in its first few outings.

http://www.tackledirectireland.ie/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=47_71&products_id=468


http://www.tackledirectireland.ie/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=47_71&products_id=469

Last edited by red on Tue May 07, 2013 8:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

[The Austrian]

They are a good tool for certain tough-to-unhook toothy species, as long as they are not used to hoist the fish up out of the water putting all of their weight on the jaw.
When I lip a bass, coalie or pollock it stays in the water so it remains weightless; or if I do lift it out for a photo my other hand goes under it's belly before I lift. I do thumb schoolies but I'm convinced they are not harmed by it being of lower weights naturally.
The locking of the jaw structure of many fish with small teeth by pushing the fingers upward on what would be the chin has a stabilizing effect and stops the thrashing of the fish which often results when it's lip is pinned mechanically in a boga without said lockage.
Having watched many a fish in these grips, I am convinced that it's the thrashing of the fish while held by the tip of it's mandible completely out of the water that causes serious injury to the vertebrae and the internal connective tissue and leads to a delayed death.
Bare hands or gloves for me while handling fish, and the new rubberised nets are a really good choice.
In order to successfully practise C&R, I think it is very important to keep fish horizontally oriented and keep fingers and tools away from gills or avoid putting direct pressure on internal organs. With a little care to get a wet hand around the wrist of the tail and another under their pectoral fin area, along with keeping the time the fish is out of the water to an absolute minimum, fish mortality rates can be very low.

[red]

Cheers Martin.
(i think) what your saying is their fine for minimum use and not to hold the fish up with them?

i wont really be using it for lifting the fish, with other round fish ill stick my thumb in their gobs and use my free hand for unhooking but i aint doin that to a wrasse . the smaller ones are fine but some of the +4lbs fish were too thick to hold with my hand around the belly which made me think a grip would help. it will only be in the mouth for a minimum time, then when ive two free hands it will be supported properly for release or a photo.

[Divisadero]

If you must use a boga (and that is for each of us to decide for ourselves) there are some good points made by the Austrian. Another point to consider is that with the original Boga the head actually swivels so that if a fish really thrashes the head (jaws part) of the grip will move with the fish. This is far better than many of the copies with fixed heads where the fish takes all the strain. If you can get a grip that swivels. I'm not sure but I think the Savage Gear boga copy does swivel. Of course another safer (for both angler and fish) but less portable option is a landing net. A folding trout or coarse net will work but a salmon/sea trout Gye style net that you sling over your shoulder is prob a better option. Snowbee do a well-priced copy. Just make sure the mesh isn't hanging around your feet on the rocks! Overall I reckon it's safer than trying to reach down with a boga if you're perched on a rock.

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[roger de dodger]

save your money and just use a damp towel tuck the bigger ones under your arm or leave them on the rocks while unhooking i have one in the bucket and never use it any more ,must chuck it in the bin for bass your thumb in its mouth wont slip

[The Austrian]

You're on the spot Roger! A wet towel or a pair of gloves beats all these lip grip gimmicks by miles!

[blackwater1]

I'd also favour the landing net method where feasible. The rubber landing net heads available are superb. Better protection for the fish, and any stray hooks that end up in the netting are easily removed.