Anglers who care about releasing fish without doing any harm should check out Boga Grips. The jaws of a Boga get tighter as more weight pulls down on them, so the more fish kick and struggle, the harder their grip. Yet when you slide the fish overboard and pull back to release the metal jaws, it swims away unharmed.
I’ve used several Bogas over the years, and have yet to find a better way to hold fish without harming them, particularly if you want to hoist one up into the air for a snapshot or two. Plus, Bogas are made with high-quality steel, and I have yet to see one corrode.
The design allows for single-handed operation, and also for weighing your fish. Three sizes allow you to hold and weigh fish up to 15, 30, and 60 pounds. In fact, these scales are accurate enough that if you send your sot the IGFA they can certify it for use with world record-setting catches. But Bogas don’t come cheap and you’ll be upset if you drop one over the side; add floats to the handle, and you’ll never lose one again. There’s nothing quite like these on the water—if you want to catch, photograph, weigh, and release fish without doing them any damage, the Boga’s a tool you need.
Price: $130 - $250 depending on size.
The Highs: Helps you handle fish without doing any harm.
The Lows: Rig it with a float, or it’ll sink like a rock.
Who Wants It: Catch-and-release anglers.
Contact: www.bogagrips.com
