Those mechanical lip-gripping goodies (Boga Grips is a well-known brand) might be popular among saltwater fly fishermen, but probably not with fish: a study published in Fisheries Research magazine says they damage between 80% and 100% of the bonefish they touch.
Remember that warm, satisfying catch & release glow? If you were using a grip, you might have killed nearly half your catch:
the lip-gripping device caused mouth injuries to 80% of bonefish restrained in the water and 100% of bonefish held in the air, always when fish thrashed while being held. Some of the injuries were severe (40%) and included separating the tongue from the floor of the mouth, creating tears and holes in the soft tissue of the lower jaw, and splitting the mandible.
See you on the bonefish flats, Tom Chandler.
OK, so how much damage does a hook cause? Could all of the injuries described have actually been caused by hook?
shannon(Quote)
Shannon: I read a copy of the report: the fish were collected for the study using a seine, which presumably wouldn’t affect their mouths at all.
The study was supported by a long list of fairly reputable academic and industry groups (including Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimied) so it’s not a stealth attack by an anti-fishing group.
It’s important to note that the grippers didn’t really any damage until the fish thrashed, though that’s something you could expect would happen.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I’ve had some doubts about a boga grip for many species. It seems that people are using them on trout as well. I can only imagine what one would do to a trout’s jaw if the fish thrashed at all…
David Knapp(Quote)
Trout? Really?
Is it because they want to weigh the things?
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I guess what I was trying to say is – In general don’t we think a fish hook does more damage on average than a Boga? I guess, all things being “equal” (the key word), and seeing today’s penchant for piercing, I would rather have my lip pierced than be lifted fifty feet in the air by my lip. Now if I were pierced in the lung or gizzard …. shannon
Shannon(Quote)
Kind of ridiculous if you ask me, and I applaud the study. Plain and simply, Boga-grips are purposed for toothy fish and/or those with sharp jaws and/or gill plates – the kind of fish you don’t want your fingers near. The scales are hardly accurate either, particularly on a heavier fish in a bobbing boat.
Anyone who can’t reach over the edge of a skiff and tail an exhausted bone should be brought back to the dock.
Michael(Quote)
I agree.
James(Quote)
Totally agree!
Chritopher Jones(Quote)
Just realised im a few years late…
Chritopher Jones(Quote)
Shannon: You make a good point, and the study wasn’t designed to compare hook injuries to Boga grips. Still, I would disagree that a hook is more damaging than a Boga, especially if the fish was lifted by a Boga for a weight.
Since hooks are usually lodged in the lips instead of the tongue or the floor of the mouth, it seems possible (even likely) that hooks cause less damage than a Boga, especially if someone lifts the bone out of the water with the Boga to get a weight.
Michael: I agree – in light of this information, they really shouldn’t be used on anything but the toothy types, and frankly, I’d look hard for an alternative before using one there.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I am completely on board. Toothy types seem more resilient. I have not done this (or had the need to do this), but if one is determined to weigh a fish, there’s the option of weighing a fish in a net. But there’s the downside of what a net does as well? shannon
Shannon(Quote)
Shannon: The new rubberized nets aren’t too bad (and hooks don’t get tangled either), though nets can split/fray fins.
Still, you can largely keep the fish in the water with a net, which is a nice touch.
And all are better than shooting fish. I feel safe in saying that.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I have no idea why people use them on trout. Perhaps because they think that it limits touching the fish and don’t realize the damage it can cause. Ever since I got into this sport I’ve heard how a trout’s jaw is not as strong as that of a bass and that one should never lip a trout. That’s probably why it is always difficult when I see these pictures of a trout on a Boga…
David Knapp(Quote)
What imbecile would use a Boca grip on a bonefish? As others have pointed out, the gnarly predator fish have much stronger mouths (all the better to eat you with) and are probably not hurt by the device at all.
Philip(Quote)
Philip: I wouldn’t assume a Boga wouldn’t hurt bigger, more predatory fish. After all, it’s the weight and the thrashing against a relatively small point of contact that seems to cause injury.
I think people are using the Bogas on fish like bones to get a weight.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Every experience fishermen should have already know bonefish has delicate mouth. I strongly againts using a lip grip on them. There are other effective ways to weigh a fish than hooking it from their mouth. For catch and release, thats cruel.
Cesar(Quote)
great site!! i agree 100% about bogas damaging effects on fish something has to be done about this device ..i believe it has its place in the angling world .but extreme care and caution MUST dictate how its used…please read article @ weresthefish.com “no more boga grips-stop lynching our fish” tell us your view…. by the way great site you have here!!! thanks again..patterman!
patterman(Quote)
Seems a little late to chime in on this, but I’d have to agree with the comments above. As a professional guide of over 9 years, I have to admit to using a boga grip… all of about 3 times. Even before reading studies on the damage to fish (which I completely believe) I realized that there was simply no good reason to use Boga Grips on most any fish.
Almost all fish have a “correct” way of being handled that minimizes damage to the fish and angler. For bonefish all you have to do is reach down the leader and cover their head with your hand. This immediately calms the fish and then you can back out your (naturally barbless) fly. If the hook is really in there – as can happen with big bones that pull that fly into the corner of their mouths and into the jaw bone (ouch!) – you can lightly grab the fish by the base of the tail to get the necessary leverage to remove the hook. Most of my fish nowadays are released with almost no human contact at all following the above instructions.
So, why did I ever use a Boga Grip at all? Well, to see if my guesses on fish weights was anything near accurate. The first fish I used it on I guessed at 5 pounds; Boga Grip: 5.25 pounds. After a couple more experiences like that – guessing within a quarter pound – I put it away and frankly have no earthly idea where the dang thing even is now.
Kudos to publishing this article and hopefully more folks will read it.
Tight lines,
WindKnot
aka Bonehead
aka Flatswalker
aka Mr. Fish Bones
WindKnot(Quote)
Mr. Bones (if that is your *real* name);
I’m always fine and dandy with guesstimates on fish (“long as the net plus one inch” is an accepted form of bragging right around here). Keep spreading the word on the Boga…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Hi I can see no need or use for lip lifting! As for weighing surely a weigh sling made for the job is the way to go. Also a unhooking mat would not go amiss as well. Not sure if you have this things your side of the pond though.
Cheers Dave.
Dave M(Quote)
I have seen some tarpon fishermen using slings, though they seem uncommon for bonefish. Given that bonefish don’t really have teeth, it’s hard to see why a boga is needed.
Tom Chandler(Quote)