Re: Boga thingy?

[Ibn Archer]

I was using boga grips for salmon until I had it rip through the jaw of a 
fish that I was holding up, basically splitting the poor things lower jaw 
in half.  I had to alter my technique, I still use them, but I keep the 
fish in the water and don't lift it up, this keeps the weight off the jaws 
of the grip and allows you to keep your fingers away from sharp teeth.

I would buy them again if given the chance. I like the built in scale 
feature, they don't rust, and no more use for a net in my boat.  One 
downside is the cost, I think they run around 120$.  Make sure if you are 
using one that you put the wrist strap on, they do not float and when a 
fish starts wiggling it's amazing how easily they can slip out of your 
hand!

Here is a pic of me using some on a nice hatchery fish this summer..
http://fishing.surrealistic.net/index.cgi?mode=image&album=/2004.8.21&image=ibn_coho.jpeg
They work great for lingcod and other bottom fish with stronger jaws.
http://fishing.surrealistic.net/index.cgi?mode=image&album=/2004.5.2&image=100-0053_IMG.JPG
-I
On Mon, 1 Nov 2004, Mark Steudel wrote:
Hey so as I've started catching larger fish, I've found that their teeth are
kinda nasty and can quickly cut your fingers up when you are removing hooks.
I saw some post a while back on a thing called a boga, that grabs their
lips, anyone use one? Are they really ok for big fish? Seems like if it was
humane/safe enough for a fish, it actually might speed up the amount of time
you spend fussing with the fish. Plus it looks pretty small and you could
easily attach it to the back of your vest. Instead of carrying a net that
was big enough to hold a salmon.
I saw some fishermen this weekend that instead of grabbing the fish, they
just tried to step on it to hold it down... seems wrong to me ... I suppose
if it's some deteriated fungus laden fish and you didn't want to touch
it.... seems like a boga would help out here too.
MS