Are boga grips worth the money?

[geckel]

I'm thinking about getting the 60 lbs scale boga grips. They carry a lifetime warranty and will twist and turn to absorb shock from a thrashing fish. Is there a knock off version that performs as well as the boga's.

[fairweatherfisherman]

If you fish a lot and have the money, get the Boga. I've been very pleased with mine over the years. Do use the wrist lanyard and instruct you fishing guests on how to use it as well, because as a friend of a friend who went fishing with us once demonstrated, they do sink pretty quickly. Another option is the float they sell for them. The 60s take two floats.

[txnative]

As with everything, you get what you pay for. Bogas are great, so I wouldn't feel any guilt on dropping the $ needed to buy them.

That said, Berkley makes a decent knock-off for around $30-$40. I've had mine for almost 7 years and haven't had a single problem with them. However, there are features the Boga has that mine don't, they are:

-no scale. I usually carry a small, albeit way less accurate, scale with me. I don't usually weigh my fish, I usually measure the length. If I feel the need to weigh a fish, it's big, and a 2-3 lb difference isn't really that important to me...at least until I land a potential record, but I haven't had many of those yet, lol

-fixed jaws. The Berkley lip grips DO NOT swivel. Not too big a deal with stripers, cats, drum (right, TravisC ?), walleye, or lm and smallies. Trout, however, are a big problem, so I carry a net to deal with them. A swiveling head would be needed for large trout, Muskie, and other fish that like to roll.

Another, less expensive, option is the Fish Grip (available at Hook1). They are similar to pliers, are easy to use, hold securely, come in different colors, and THEY FLOAT. I use a tether on my grips in case they decide to go for a swim, so the floating ability of the Fish Grip is very nice for kayak fishermen.

If you have the funds, go ahead and get the bogas. I would also get them certified by the IGFA. Ask midtnkayakangler about how to do this.


Chris

[geckel]

What's the advantage in having them certified by the IGFA?

[Reel Tune]

I think the Bogas are the best grips out there.

I have been using the 30# model for 3-4 years, and Sarah has the 30# model also and been using them for the past 2 years. We certify them through the IGFA every spring to ensure accuracy, and reliability.

We fish Saltwater and it wreks havoc on everything. I got my Boga's first and she was fine with her knock offs. Then after we started fishing for larger toothy fish in saltwater her knock offs started breaking down, and becoming undependable. They got really gritty, even though we cleaned and oiled them regularly.

I like the Bogas over a net most of the time because they take up less room. Bogas are quality grips, and I don't think I'll ever have to buy another pair of grips unless I wand a smaller or larger size for different sized fish.

When Musky, and Striper fishing I leash the Bogas to the watercraft and revive the fish that way. I always have a float attached, I've heard to many horror stories of dropping them with and without a fish and having to say goodby.

I work very hard for my money so I buy quality equipment that will last a long time (hopefully a lifetime) if maintained, so with Boga Grips reputation, dependability, and IGFA certifiable that's what we went with.

Jeremy

[Reel Tune]

What's the advantage in having them certified by the IGFA?

Peace of mind when you say I caught a 30lb Striper. I've seen people with other measuring devices hold up a 3# fish, and say look at my 7# bass, and that's what they are going with because that's what their scale said. I know I don't care how big other peoples fish are as long as they are having fun, but I like to know that when I say I caught an 8.25lb bass that I'm telling the truth and it's reliable.

Another senerio would be when you catch that 8# bass on 2# test. I don't have the book here with me so I don't know what the #2 line IGFA record for largemouth bass is.

Jeremy

[Headhunter]

get the boga's. accurate and the best product made. get a float, I purchased the boga float, but a noodle from walmart will work great, just cut off enough to float it. Put your hand through the lanyard or tie a rope to it. If you put the bogas on a fish and the fish gets away it will die and you lose the bogas. they will not let go unless they are released.

[SLU01]

I have both a pair of Boga's & the Bass Pro label version. Although the BPS are fine and have landed big stripers, the Boga's are built so much better and we use them in saltwater . The BPS are visible on my avatar pic. I use them also because it take a lot of pressure off a fish's jaw. And the advise here for using the lanyard and adding a float is the way to go. Neither of mine have the scales built in however

[bfish]

I prefer netting a fish over lip gripping. For me, it is easier on the fish.