lip grip tool for esox?

[mainbutter]

Does anyone use these for landing musky and big pike? Are these safe for them?

It'd be nice to have some release tool backup as a "just in case" measure when I'm out chasing bass and happen to find myself face to face with a big musky and no net.

If this is stupid and bad for the fish then I certainly want to know, which is why I'm asking here.

[JimBuck]

I wouldn't recommend it. When they thrash it can really mess up the jaw and teeth. I will use them on bigger toothless fish like cats but prefer to have my hands on the fish and keep it as safe as possible for both parties.

[brmuskie]

I would stay away from the lip grips. I have seen them do a lot of damage when the fish starts to thrash around. I used to hand land muskies for about the first 12 years or so. The bigger they are, the easier it is to grab them.

[HugoBox]

I tried a boga grip deal once and really screwed up the fish's nose. 50InchPig caught her a year later and the missing quarter of its top jaw is enough to keep me from using them again. I also think a firm grip work better anyway. I did start using a glove this year - gill rakers can cause a helluvalot of damage to the back of your hand.

[JRedig]

Make a fist and HANG ON! I have a buddy who used a boga grip on a upper 40" ski...the fish thrashed, he let go of the grip, the wrist strap snapped and the fish swam off with it firmly attached. It was found floating dead 8 days later with the boga still there...so he got his tool back...and doesn't use it on muskies anymore.

I've also seen it do severe damage to the lower jaw on muskies and pike, not recommended.

[Muskiefool]

These work good for handling small hammer handles that are thrashing and trying to get you, that is all they are good for; I would say fish up to a few pounds at best otherwise your talking big damage as others have mentioned, I have a friend out on LSC that runs a high sided boat that uses one to pull muskies through the water to revive them and has great success with that but otherwise do not support fish with them.

[HugoBox]

I got this one in September 2007 and it was 42". I tried a boga grip and learned a valuable lesson.

50InchPig caught it early this year (I think) and it is now 44".

Check out its beak though...

[mainbutter]

wow glad I asked. I've hand landed a couple of big pike and two musky with no issues so far, but was just wondering if these things would make it safer for the fish... unfortunately it looks like in fact it's just the opposite.

thanks

[SteveD]

You might want to get yourself a Fish Gripper - cost is about $13 at Cabela's. I have a couple in the boat all the time - I primarily use them for channel cats but they work good on northerns so they should work OK for muskies. I've never seen one beat up a fish.

[50inchpig]

Hard to beat a firm grip and Musky Armor glove. Muskies are bigger and stronger than the pike and any tool that grips the bottom of the jaw like a Boga or the one pictured above can do some damage.

They've got some pretty good built in handles, just don't let go and you'll be fine.

[sbro73]

I believe 50inchpig's got the right answer down !!!

[guideman]

Anytime you are caught without your Muskie net, tailing the fish is always an option. Good gloves make it very easy to do and you don't need to put your hand in their mouth.

Save the bogas for salt water!

"Ace"