There’s no worse feeling than reeling in a monster catch only to have it slip out of your fingers when pulling it in.
A fish gripper is a great way to prevent this calamity and keep your catches in the boat where they belong.
In this article, we’ll walk through some of our favorite grippers available today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Fish Grippers
- OUR TOP PICK: Eastaboga Tackle BogaGrip
- RUNNER-UP: Entsport Fish Lip Gripper
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Rapala 9" Floating Fish Gripper 9"
Comparison of the Best Fish Grippers
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
What is a Fish Gripper and What is it Used For?
Once upon a time, anglers had to deal with the inconvenience of using their bare hands to handle a fish when removing a hook. This resulted in a lot of bloody fingers from sharp fish teeth, hook mishaps and plenty of lost catches.
Luckily, one angling product has completely changed the game: fish grippers. These handy little devices are plier-like tools that allow an angler to clamp on to the bottom lip of a catch, keeping hands and fingers away from any potential scratching hazards. They also prevent harm to the fish that can result from rough man-handling.
Grippers also prevent the loss of catches because they keep a fish secure even when they are violently thrashing or wiggling to escape. Because you won’t be grabbing directly onto slimy skin, there’s a better chance you’ll be able to pull in a fish with ease. They’re used in all kinds of angling settings, but are especially convenient when it comes to offshore fishing in a watercraft low to the surface like a kayak or canoe.
What Makes a Great Fish Gripper?
There are many different styles of fish gripper on the market made with all kinds of materials ranging from plastic to aluminum. Although all the different types can work well in their own way, all great fish grippers will have some underlying qualities that allow for exceptional performance when it matters the most.
Sturdily Built
Having a gripper that will hold a fish tightly is of the utmost importance. After all, if a fish can wiggle away in a gripper, what is the point of having one in the first place? Your product should have sturdy, strong construction with a high-pressure grip to ensure no catches can escape.
Durable
Because you’ll be using your gripper in and around water, it’s vital that it has qualities that make it durable. Your tool should be rust-resistant and be able to handle heavy-duty performance season after season.
Special Features
While it certainly isn’t necessary, it can be nice for a gripper to have some special features like a locking mechanism or a scale. This will result in an easier angling experience overall.
Review of the Best Fish Grippers
In the market for a fish gripper? If you’re not sure where to start, check out our list of favorites for some great general choices to pick from!
Best Overall:
Eastaboga Tackle BogaGrip
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
From browsing buyer reviews, it is clearly evident that the BogaGrip is a total fan favorite. It’s tough to find a negative thing said about his grip. Buyers were ecstatic about the high-quality construction and feel of the product, praising the strength of the grip and the easy-to-handle feel.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The BogaGrip easily earned the top spot on our fish gripper list because it is the gold standard of fish grips. Simple, effective, easy to use, this product takes the cake in terms of quality. We love the sturdy design and enjoy the added feature of the weight scale.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a product we’d recommend to any angler who needs a reliable fish grip to take along with them on their next trip. However, it is a tad bit heavy, so it may not be the best choice for inshore anglers— lugging it around all day can get pretty uncomfortable pretty fast.
Bottom Line
The BogaGrip is an incredibly easy recommendation to give. Don’t hesitate to give this puppy a try. While it is on the more expensive end of the scale, the payout will be well worth it over time.
Runner-up:
Entsport Fish Lip Gripper
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who purchased the Entsport gripper were happy with the value of this low-price product. Buyers complimented features like the one-hand design, the fact that it was compact and light, and the strength of the grip. Some users wished that it was sealed so it could be more effective in saltwater.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were impressed by this mighty little Entsport gripper’s abilities and strength. We especially enjoyed the special features that make it convenient to carry around like its weight and lanyard attachment. We also appreciate the one-handed use that is possible.
Who Will Use This Most
Because this is such a compact, lightweight product, this would be a good pick for anglers who travel often. It’s also an excellent choice for those who stick to the shoreline, as it is not heavy to lug around for hours at a time.
Bottom Line
Although this gripper could benefit from some sealed components to make it more effective in saltwater, this is an excellent pick for freshwater anglers or any fishermen in search of a gripper to travel with.
Best for the Money:
Rapala 9" Floating Fish Gripper 9"
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who purchased the Rapala fish gripper were impressed by several qualities of this product, mainly complimenting the convenient locking mechanism and the light size and shape. Although some reported that the clamp was a little big for pan fish, most reviewers were happy with the overall performance.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Rapala fish gripper earns the budget pick spot on our list because we love its performance on the water. Because it is made with heavy-duty plastic, it is super light and comfortable to use, and very gentle on fish at the same time.
Who Will Use This Most
The Rapala fish gripper is a solid choice for anglers who generally fish from lightweight watercraft like a canoe or kayak that wants as much space as possible. This is a gripper that won’t get in the way, and it floats, too— a major plus for any potential mishaps.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is an awesome budget gripper for any angler wanting a lightweight, easy-to-use tool. The price is unbeatable and it is just as effective as any high-end remake.
4. Piscifun Fish Lip Gripper with Digital Scale
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The Piscifun fish gripper buyers seemed to be very satisfied with the “gripping” aspect of this tool, but some were not so happy with the scale’s abilities. Those who purchased complimented the durability of the stainless steel jaws and appreciated it’s weight capacity, but wished the scale was more accurate.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Having a fish gripper with a digital scale can be a huge convenience on the water. We liked the Piscifun model because not only was the gripper high-quality and durable, but the scale had a large, easy-to-read screen. The product as a whole does a great job providing extra help in catching fish.
Who Will Use This Most
This Piscifun gripper would be an awesome pick for anglers who don’t have great eyesight but want to be able to weigh their catches right away. The digital screen is created to be easily read in any weather condition and displays weights in a large, readable font.
Bottom Line
All in all, although the Piscifun gripper’s scale could use a weight accuracy upgrade, it reads ballpark weight well and the gripper is strong and steady. With a durable stainless steel finish, the chances of losing a catch with this product are super unlikely.
5. SUAOKI Stainless Steel Fish Lip Gripper
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The majority of buyers of the Suaoki fish gripper were pretty satisfied with its abilities when used in action. They appreciated the small and lightweight size and thought the product was a great value at a reasonable price. Some buyers did comment that it seemed to be a little rough on fish, an issue for catch and release.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This particular gripper earned a spot on our favorites list because it is another great, general product that is easy to use and super effective at its primary job: gripping. Although we think the scale could definitely use improvement, this is a gripper list, after all.
Who Will Use This Most
This gripper from Suaoki is another solid choice for anglers looking for something lightweight that they could throw in a backpack for a hiking trip or in the bottom of a kayak. It doesn’t take up much room at all, and it’s just as effective as a more heavy-duty model.
Bottom Line
When it comes to fish grippers, sometimes simple is better. This gripper from Suaoki does a great job achieving its intended purpose. However, be careful using this product on smaller pan fish as it can be rough on fish without toothy mouths.
Perks of Getting a New Fish Gripper
With the wide array of fish grippers on the market to choose from, the selection process can be daunting. We know it may feel very tempting to just take the cheapest knock-off and run, but that may result in more time and money spent in the future. Before you decide to grab whatever is easiest, here are some reasons you should do your research before jumping into a purchase:
Durability Equals Longevity
When it comes to tools that are used frequently in and around the water, durability is a must-have quality. Materials are subject to corrosion from fresh and saltwater, which can result in rusty inner workings. High-quality grippers, like the ones on our list, are created to be damage-resistant, which means they will be a reliable tool to go back to season after season.
You Get What You Pay For
As much as it would be nice to purchase a five-dollar gripper that includes a digital scale, locking mechanism, and ergonomic design, as hard as you try, you will not find one. Splurging a little bit allows you the special features that make fishing easier.
Types of Fish Grippers
There are several different styles of fish grippers on the market today. There isn’t one model that trumps the others, but all have their own advantages and disadvantages associated with them.
T-Style Gripper
The T-style gripper is the old faithful of fish grips. It’s the original style, made popular by the company BogaGrip. The majority of T-style grips are created with a heavy-duty material like aluminum or steel. These grippers are especially effective in handling large fish, as their sturdy design allows them great gripping strength.
Plastic Gripper
A plastic gripper is one that, you guessed it, is created with plastic. These grips utilize a heavy-duty plastic material in their construction, making them light and buoyant in water. They take a little more manual strength as they often won’t have automatic locking mechanisms, and are a great pick for canoes and kayaks.
Pistol Gripper
Pistol grippers are named for the trigger-like device that activates and deactivates the locking mechanism. Very similar to T-grips, these also use a heavy-duty material for gripping strength but are often smaller and more ergonomic for easy handling.
How to Use a Fish Gripper
If you’re new to using a fish gripper, don’t worry. The process is very simple. Although each grip is slightly different in terms of use, they all have the same basic function, so the action taken is very similar. Here are some general tips that should help you use a fish grip, no matter the style:
- Open the jaws wide enough for your catch, being careful not to overextend unnecessarily.
- Clip the jaws to the thin membrane of the fish’s mouth. Do not clip your gripper on any surface that is bigger than the lining of a catch’s jaws as this can cause damage to your tool over time.
- Before using, see if your gripper has some sort of locking mechanism. If it does, odds are it automatically locks when you grip the jaws on an item. Make sure you know how to release the lock before using on a fish.
In general, be careful using grippers on smaller fish and pan fish as their mouths aren’t as tough as bigger catches and the force of a grip may tear or hurt them. This video below shows a great example of using a plastic style grip.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you a bit of a jump start into purchasing your next fish gripper. Now that you know the basics about the different styles of grip, tips and tricks to use them, and have some great selections to choose from, you’re one step closer to your next big catch. Happy fishing!
Share to Pinterest
