"Lipping" fish

[FishOn162]

Has anyone read the article in this months Saltwater Sportsman about lipping fish using devices like the boga grip?

I read through it briefly last night. Obviously I am not very learned on the subject. In a brief summary, it was written by a PhD and he was talking about how harmful it can be to a fish to handle it by its lower jaw. Citing the stresses it puts on the joints of the mouth, the muscles and even that holding a fish vertical can cause damage to the internal organs since fish are used to being horizonal in a weightless environment.

He suggests cradling the fish by the tail and under the head. Not that I am doubting the good doctor, but I always thought it was a no no to handle a fish for fear it may remove the protective slime.

Any views or opinions?

[Fubar512]

I belive what he meant was not to hang the fish by the boga-grip. Instead, just use the grip to lip the fish, and keep it in the water while you unhook it or cut the leader.

[cgrand]

fubar has it

the suggestion was also that if you do need to remove the fish from the water (hook, pic, etc) to cradle the fish instead of hanging it

[auguste]

fubar512 and cgrand have it right

Muskie fishermen have always advocated using cradles to handle long fish if you must take them out of the water before you release them.

For salmon we use nets that are made of rubber rather than cotton as less slime and fewer scales are removed

The less physical stress you create on the fish you want to release, the higher the chances of it surviving . . . cheers

[Devilfish]

As a rule, the less contact you have with a fish, the better its chances of survival. I was taught that when I have to handle a fish, I should wet my hands and avoid contact with my clothes, deck, gunwales, etc so that I don't remove much slime or scales.

What they said, I am a fishing guide and my living depends on the fish. I want them back in the water as fast as possible and in good shape. I do use a Boga but only to hold the head of the fish while I unhook it and wet my hand to support the "tummy" of it while I hold it in front of my angler for photos. I hold the fish in the water while they get cameras ready and will only have it out of the water for a slow 10 count, MAX!!!!! Every fish that dies means I have to look harder for them next time I go out, PLEASE be considerate!!! I liken the experience to being held under water for as long as I keep the fish out of the water......

[Nimrod]

All fine and dandy until a shark decides to make another meal out of that snapper you're holding in the water with your Boga.

Lost snapper............ gallon of gas

Lost Boga............... $119.00

Left arm gone up to the elbow........

The look on the captain's face when he can't start the outboard....... Priceless!

[cgrand]

snapper goes straight in to the meat box...filet and release!

[Fubar512]

Nimrod, for sharks, I recommend just patting them on the head, and letting 'em go their own way

[John Saunders]

Fubar 512;
that picture defines "darwinian".
Not only is the fish food reaching for the fish, but there is a feeder holding the food for the fish to grab.
Just cannot blame the animals for taking a bite on occasions, but it solves the "dumbing down trend of the education system.

[Fubar512]

Actually, that pic was taken from the web site of the charter boat Reelistic, out of Lewes, Delaware.

They had another image where the woman in the photo actually had the Mako by the tip of the snout!

I've fished for sharks for over twenty years, and can attest to their often unpredictable behaviour. Any shark that was bought aboard my boat (for consumption) was "pacified" first, then tied off in as safe a manner as possible.

I was simply responding in kind to another member's quip.

[auguste]

Unbelievabe . . . yet not surprised

[captkenr]

Using a Boga Grip to hold fish that are hooked on multiple hook lures or rigs is more dangerous to the fisherman than to the fish. I've heard tales of horrible hookings including one guy who was hooked in the eye socket with a fish on the same set of trebles. That had to hurt.

Bottom line is to handle a fish that is to be released as little as possible.

[riprunner]

Not to get off the subject, but that woman leaning over in front of a Mako might be the dumbest thing I have ever seen!!! Nevermind her hand, in the blink of an eye, that Mako could bite her face. One of the reasons shark fishing is so dangerous is that people can be so STUPID!! The captain of that boat should have his charter license taken away.

[HOTSPOT]

I read the article, my buddies and I have discussed it in length. I do not own one of those lipper type tools, I either net them or tail grab them depending on what it is of course.

[Fubar512]

The captain of that boat died when a he "accidentally" took wraps while leadering a large Mako: READ HERE

This is not mean to demean or criticize him in any way, as anyone who ever met him will tell you that he was a great guy. He just made the kind of mistake that you do not generally walk away from.

[Baitboy]

Dumb question, what does taking wraps mean. Wrapping the leader around your wrist?

[Fubar512]

"Taking Wraps" is a dangerous practice.

Its basically exactly what the name implies, you wrap the leader around your (open) hand in a fashion that theorectically allows you to quickly let go by pointing the fingertips of that same hand at the fish. That seldom works out as planned, though...