lip grippers

 Have seen lip grippers used by some. I am mostly catch and release. A gaff made from hammer handle is all I have used. Is the gripper safer or easier on the fish? I've never seen one but looks like the way to handle a ling or rockfish you don't want keep (less damage to fish, and no finger contact). And how do they work? are they spring loaded or does the fishes weight keep them closed?
 Thanks for helping the ignorant.

Most of us NCKA guys use this - it's cheap, it floats, it will never rust and it does the job:Available at Cabelas for about 10 bucks....
Durability: I was able to lip grip a 22# Halibut off Davenport - I did not bring my net or gaff as I was targeting rockfish

You can also use it to anchor around kelp beds

Thanks MOOCH,
 Now I have a clue! I like the price as well. It seems only logical to not put your hand in the mouth of a ling or rock fish with them teeth!!! I'm off to Cabelllas website.

I picked one up at wally world made by rapala, it works good, held some good size cabs, and rock fish, Problem, its metal, stainless so it will last a little while before the water and salt eat through that coating. And it floats like a lead balloon so I keep it tethered to the yak. but it was only about $10 bucks too. I like it, I also have a gaff that I use too.

Thanks FLOATIN, I use a gaff made from a hammer handle (ex framer) as well. but was looking for an easier way to handle toothy fish I want to release, these look like the ticket and for the price it's worth a shot.

Just got a pair from Cabela's. Slicker than snot! Now I gotta catch something to grip. Ironic though, I had to come back to the great Pacific Northwest to find the greatest yak fishing tool ever that's made in Jackson, MS.  I've been in south Louisiana for the last year and never seen them down there. I began to suspect their southern origin because all of the fish pictured on the package were Redfish. That and "United Plastic Molders, Jackson MS" is prominently stamped on the side   

First thing I did today was order those plastic lip grippers.  It's hard enough these days making the airplane weight limit ... so I'm going to swap my heavy metal lip grippers for the plastic ones on my next trip.

-Allen

I'll be hitting Cabela's on my way up to Seattle area next Saturday night. I plan on picking up one of these and that cool plastic fish measuring tray sported by a few of you.

I'm trying hard to keep this economy moving forward...

Jay

... so I'm going to swap my heavy metal lip grippers for the plastic ones on my next trip.

-Allen

I picked up the plastic ones from the kayakfishinggear site.  They're not much to look at but I've had no problem keeping legal size lings under control with them.

http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=183

-Mark-

... so I'm going to swap my heavy metal lip grippers for the plastic ones on my next trip.

-Allen

I picked up the plastic ones from the kayakfishinggear site.  They're not much to look at but I've had no problem keeping legal size lings under control with them.

http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=183

-Mark-

Yup, those are the same ones I ordered from Cabela's.

-Allen

you can also pick them up at sportsmans warehouse and Joes sporting goods for about the same price.. honestly i think i picked mine up at an ACE hardware strore clearance shelf..!!

So the measuring tray thingies are at Cabela's?

So the measuring tray thingies are at Cabela's?

Yep


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0002065013580a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=measuring+&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=measuring+&noImage=0

I've used a Boga-grip occasionally.  I bought it more for the weight feature as I'm not very good at estimating fish wieght.  However, I now find that it works great for holding fish while I deal with hooks etc...it makes shad fishing MUCH nicer (slimy darn fish).

For use on the salt, those platic ones look pretty handy.

FWIW - The Boga has low tension spring loaded jaws,  they aren't pinching as much as the wieght of the fish pulls them closed.  They can take a pretty good "thrashing fish" before losing it.

See below for a picture of the Boga grip (and my other fish holding "device").