BOGA…

I was wondering if getting a boga was worth it or not. We have always used gafs on fish we plan to keep; however, lately we have lost a few nice fish at the hole because we didn’t want to injure/hurt them with the gaf and we were unsuccessful with the “hand-hammering.” I have never used a boga and wasn’t sure how ethical or damaging they were to the fish. They sound like a safe way to avoid reaching hand down the hole on a pissed-off, toothy, and angry fish when you don’t want to hurt them for release. And to be honest, i’m not even sure what the word “boga” stands for lol. Thank you in advance for the help guys.

What I’ve seen them work best at is to immobilize the fish to safely remove hooks. I probably wouldn’t hook them up and lift strictly with the grips, especially if it’s a real heavy fish. Berkely also makes a much cheaper option.

I have the rapala version. It came in a gift package when I bought my Lund. I have used it on a limited basis with success. Roland Martin has been using one since they hit the market, and still endorses them. It sounds to me, it is the product you are looking for to try out and see if it will work for your type of fishing.

I’ve used one for years on salt and fresh water. Excellent product.Expensive but made to last.Will lip and lift anything the jaws can fit with very accurate scale for weight. Always support fish under belly when lifting larger fish to not injuref the fish internals.Fish safe,

Andrew Byers wrote:

And to be honest, i’m not even sure what the word “boga” stands for lol.

Until you meet the right fishing partner most of the time it means Better Off Going Alone.

I have he Rapala one and it works nice but can be tough to get in the mouth. I bought the “Fish Grip” brand one from Cabelas this year as well that operates more like a pliers and floats, I think this one will be easier to grab the fish with. I know I’ve seen BK in a picture or 2 holding a catfish with it as well. Plus it’s made in the USA which is nice to see.

Big Old Gaff Alternative???

Some guys on my local fishing forum use Lucid grips.

http://www.lucidfishing.com/

They are the scissor-type like Boga but are less expensive but are good quality.

$47 for a grip with a 30# scale, $64 for a grip with a 60# scale.

I will have to check those out Darkstar72.

I love the BOGA acronyms guys lmao!

One note true Boga brand units are avaliable in 15-30-60 lb. scales and are IGFA certifiable. They are solid stainless and heavy so always use wrist strap or have a float attached (Boga now sells one) I made my own soon as I bought mine about ten years ago, I have seen guys lose them overboard (Ouch) they are expensive but were the first and are of no equal in my opionion if u want quality (guides etc.).
Great for toothy critters.Fish safe.

I definitely think a BOGA is the way to go for us. Thank you for the educations guys.

I realize you’re talking about or fish you’re going to keep, and for that they seem to work well. But they are not a good C&R tool. The article below is talking about bonefish, but I’d surmise the same holds true for any fish.

http://troutunderground.com/2008/08/study-shows-lip-gripping-devices-boca-grips-damaged-80-of-bonefish/

Thanks for the article. Something to consider when using C & R. I read further into this and there was a lot of speculation as to whether or not the damage was caused by the hook, hookset, etc… I am looking for something less lethal than a gaf to replace reaching my hand into the hole in order to assist removing toothy critters. I had a few instances where we either lost fish or the gill plate slice into my hand nice and deep. The hand method is obviously the safest on the fish and my preferred method; however, with the loss of a few nice fish at the hole, i was looking for options.