Grip Lips??

[fishin4fun]

OK-- I finally decided that in order to be in a BFT picture I need a Lip Gripper! [pirate]

Now seriously, I mostly ice fish, are they worth it? Are they nice to have for ice fishing or mostly just good to have from the boat and for fish bigger than the normal joe. I mostly chase cuts at the Berry and Macs on the gorge. If you think they are worth their weight in gold, please explain why and remember, I'm just ice fishing 95% of the time. I can see one being handy grabbing a fish that sticks his nose up a hole, but doesn't want to cooperate. Plus, I see it being better on the fish than touching those gills.

Also, what should I buy? Get one with a scale or do they all have scales? Noticed some on eBay/Cabela's and like anything I can sell a finger or a hand to buy one!! Jeez! [pirate]

Thanks in advance! []
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[RILEYFISH]

F4F,

I have one that I keep on my boat and if I go out on the ice for big fish I take it with me. I like mine. I have the Rapala one with the the built in scale. The bigger fish have sharp teeth that usually tear up your fingers and hands. I also like the fact that I am not touching the fish anymore than I have to and taking the slime off of them.

When I go to Powell I used it alot with the stripers and nicer macs and cutts at Bear lake. I think that you will find that you really like it. Just my two cents worth!

RILEYFISH
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[Old_Coot]

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Personally, I prefer the Berkley Big Game Lip Grip without the scales. Just because 95% of the fish I use it on I don't care to weigh them. Bait_Caster uses the one with the scales and I think he quite likes it. Without the scales I don't have to worry about droping it, banging it around, or breaking it. If I want to weigh a fish, I use my digital scales.

For me, using the lip gripper provides safety from toothy fish and it also provides a whole bunch more control over a flopping fish when I am trying to remove a hook.

I also, believe that controling a fish with the gripper helps to keep a fish from banging it's self all up and the fish don't get dropped into the boat.

However, I do think that using them does sometimes hurt larger fish if the whole weight of the fish is lifted up with the gripper. I think it is better to support a big (10-30 lb) fish with two hands rather than one hand and a gripper or just the gripper only.

I won't fish without one in my boat. I even make sure I bring one with me when I fish out of someone else's boat. I am not much of an ice fisherman but if I were I would think they would be quite advantageous for getting fish up out of an ice hole.

However, the one I have is starting to malfunction and I may need to replace it.

One last thing ... if/when you get ready to buy one, I suggest that you check Walmart. In the past they have been about $10 less there.

For you fishermen wives, they make a great stocking stuffer.[/font][/size]
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[fishin4fun]

I have been looking at the Berkley one in your pic above. I can't see needing the scale as much since I rarely weigh them too. I do measure them and Berkley has a "pocket" one that has a tape built right on it. Decisions.. decisions.. I did make the decision to get one. LOL Sounds like you can't go wrong with one.
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[Theekillerbee]

I picked up one of the Cabela's brand grippers with the 15lb scale built in. Not a super fancy one, but it works nicely, and will give me a good rough weight of the fish. I really like using them.
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[Tarponjim]

I use a lipper on small fish (under 10 lbs.), but do not lift larger fish with them unless fully supporting the body or you'll break the fish's neck. Studies indicate larger fish lifted up by the jaw or gills die quickly. The weight of the body must be supported. My lipper works great for getting control of flopping 2-6 lb. lake trout. Use a net on big ones, it supports their weight much better.
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[fishin4fun]

I went with the Berkley Big Game Lip Grip in Old Coot's pic. $25 on eBay. Figured I can't go wrong with one and if I really like them, maybe upgrade down the road. I'm really intrigued to get something to help get the hook out faster, less handling and back down the hole. Time to grip some lips!

Thanks for the advice guys!! [cool]
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[Ryno]

Do you use it in place of a net? Just wondering how hard it would be to land a fish with a Boga Grip? Thanks, Ryno
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[Kent]

I use a net on my boat and then often secure the fish with my Berkley Big Game Lip Grip to unhook it. When ice fishing, if the fish is large enough that I think there is a chance it will snap my line if I try to slide it out of the ice hole, I will grab the fish with the Lip Grip and lift it out of the hole.
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[CROSSINEYES]

IVE ONLY USED ONE ONE TIME EVER THAT WAS ON TARPONJIMS BOAT. ON A WILGLEY LITLE 13 POUNDER. AND I HATED HOLDING THAT THING. WOULD MUTCH RATHER HOLD FISHES BODY WITH BOTH HANDS.
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[IdahoNative]

I personally would rather weigh the fish in the net. Like it was stated before lifting by the head can hurt the big ones and i dont like putting a hook thru the gills either. You can tare the net weight out and get an accurate weight of the fish and no harm is done.
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