Boga Grips

I have seen a handful of fisherman use these Boga Grips when handling a musky. I am intrigued since it appears they help you control the fishes head and keep your mittens at a safe distance from the mouth/bait while you remove the hooks. The original Boga is pretty pricey. Is it worth the price? Are there more cost effective comparable options on the market? What are the cons to using it? Just looking for some opinions before I make a decision. Thank you in advance for your input. Big Show

As far as using them for musky, I'd be apprehensive about it. They can definitely tear up the thinner skin or even break the jaw seeing how it is such a focused point of contact. Anything being kept however they are great. I work on a charter boat and have yet to have any of the salmon or trout we catch get dropped. Even the 25+ pounders when they decide to throw a tantrum. These are bogas though, not the cheaper imitations. I'm bothered when I watch these "pro" fisherman in that league BS that are timed and get eliminated. They just slap the bogas on, rip the fish out of the water and weigh the fish then throw it back in using the bogas like their tossing garbage. Shows no respect and looks real rough on the fish.

ive seen a Musky break its jaw when someone used the double type grabber on it - nothing but bare hands or gloves for me while handling a Ski - gotta preserve the resource

I've tried the Boga Grip, the Berkeley Lip Grip, the Rapala version, the Cabela's version, etc. The Cabela's floating one drops fish like nobody's business. Most of the others easily puncture the soft tissue in the mouth of the fish so I don't use it on fish I intend to release opting for Lindy protective gloves instead (just my personal preference.) The Rapala ones with the doubled jaws are better as far as ripping the soft tissue, but on big fish, they will still rip flesh. After tearing up a few big walleyes and northern, I no longer use them unless I intend on keeping the fish. The wounds they leave are akin to that of a gaff. And yes, I always support the fish's weight with my other hand or in the net and such, but big fish thrash with so large of a motion that they can still rip their soft tissue on that grip. The choice is yours, but this has been my experience so far.

Hey Bigshow- Thanks for answering my questions(curiosity) and you(the musky fisherman) should do whatever feel's best in regards to the whole catching and releasing of the musky's. You certainly are on the right path with purchasing/using the proper musky equipment. It will be beneficial/safer for both you the fisherman and the almighty musky in the long run. I've seen so many beat up looking musky pics on site's because, IMO improper holding techniques, split fins(cheap nets), etc. Good luck on the musky hunt!

I have a Boga grip that I use for almost everything. I even had a 50 pound flat head cat hanging from it. Ive hung walleye, pike, bass, northern and even musky. their nice to have when fishing with friends because it limits the truth stretching. It has never unintentionally open up on me. Some of the fish have thrashed a bit without coming undone. I like it because you can handle the fish with very little slime removal. I have thought about the what-if fantasy of a 50+ incher and how I would handle that. I think i'd still try the boga. Are they worth the money? IMHO Yes.

Slime Time - Not sure if your questions were directed to me or a prior post. I do not own a Boga I was just looking for feedback on their use. I have seen a couple guys use them while the musky is still in the net to control the head while they remove the hooks. I myself use a nice large coated net. I have a tool box of long pliers, spreaders, and hook cutters at the ready to aid in a prompt and healthy release. Was just curious if a boga grip was used by many fishermen... so far looking at this threads response, I'm guessing not really. Thanks!

I've used boga's once and that was when i went fishing in florida to only hold a fish for a pic. Just curious do you not own a coated/rubberized musky net or a fishing net? Are you using the boga's to remove the hooks from the musky's without a net? Are you using the boga's to control the musky in the net while removing hooks? I never used the boga's while musky fishing so they may come in "handy" for some but seems more of a hindrance in the whole healthy "release" of the musky process. Not to mention they probably tear the H!@# out of the musky's mouth if they decide to "thrash."

What are the cons to using it? The main one I see is that the operator would most likely support the entire weight of the fish on its jaw and sometime while the fish is thrashing. I would think that while this action may not be fatal to the fish, might not be the best method.