Fladen Lip Grip Tool

[THURSOMAN]

Well, I finally managed to try out this tool again yesterday and thought I'd write quick report.
First of all, here is a couple of pictures of the tool in question:

Here you can see the suggested way of opening up the jaw using two fingers.I found this too tricky and prefer to do it this way:

I have to say I really like this tool as I've lost quite a few good fish just as I lifted it out of the water.
This tool ensures that once it is employed correctly it will not get away.
This is particularly useful when dealing with biters. i.e fish with teeth. So far, the only fish I've used this tool on is is a ling...:

...and some pollack:

Reason I didn't take this photo on kayak is because I have a friendly chap who watches me fishing on his telescope from his house. I'm too embarrassed to take a photo of my fish now.
lol. Maybe I could think of a clever explanation that will not make me look like a right wally.(I doubt it.) ;D ;D ;D

I would say that this tool is great for that whopper you certainly don't want to loose just as it leaves the surface. I'd imaging smaller fish(say 2lbs etc) would be tricky to use with a smaller mouth. You really need to grip the fish on the lower lip which can be a job especially if the fish has its mouth shut! For the likes of Cod and ling this tool is easy to use. I found it a bit of a hassle using this for pollack with a smaller mouth unless the fish's mouth is open.

However, this may be due to my technique and will experiment with different approaches.
What I really like about this tool is once you lock it on to the mouth correctly your mind is at ease knowing it's yours!
It will not get off. If you want to release it the tool is handy in that you can hold the fish with tool and pull hook out with your pliers etc without messing about with a bar of soap. (slipping out of your hands)
But if you want to keep it, this tool grips so well you can clobber it while holding it secure with the tool. Very handy indeed.

For the Price of this tool you simply, in my opinion, can't go wrong.
This tool cost me £12 from ebay.
cgi.ebay.co.uk/FISH-GRIP-TOOL-COA....1QQcmdZViewItem
If you want to spend some more pennies you could go for one with scales, to weigh the fish.

If you have too much money, and want to get rid of it, you could go for the hugely expensive boga:
www.bogagrips.com/

Obviously time will tell as to whether this particular brand will prove to be reliable over use but if you clean it and lubricate it after every use I see no reason why it shouldn't last a good while.

Anyway, I'm well pleased with this, and would certainly recommend it to others.
If you have any queries, feel free to ask about this lip gripper machine.

Mind, I don't want any lip from anyone. ;D ;D ;D

[ped]

Tman, do you think it will be prone to corrosion?, can it be broken down at all to get inside the workings in order to clean it?

Ped

[THURSOMAN]

Hi Ped, Good question.
I reckon this tool will be ok as far as corrosion goes as long as it receives a quick squirt of WD40 after use.
The only screw on this tool can be seen on the photo of the Ling which is at the hinge of the jaw. I guess if you neglected it getting to the coil spring would be difficult to access but it does look as though you can get oil etc though the black plastic section to get to the spring.
It may be worth checking out a few other models to see if they offer more options as far as access goes. Again I don't imagine you will have probs in this regard unless it is neglected.

Chris.

[ped]

Thanks for that Chris. I think these lip grips are a better alternative to a net which can cause problems when lure /plug fishing with trebles !. Other than the Boga, which I have no interest in (or pocket big enuf!!) I beleive the only alternative is one from Rapala, do you know of any other manufacturers?

Ped

[THURSOMAN]

Aye, there are a few that look exactly the same as mine but the Berkley Big Game Lip Grip with Digital Scales looks good but not in my price range at £49.99

www.tacklebargains.co.uk/acatalog/Miscellaneous.html
It's the last item on the page right at the bottom.

The basic construction looks exactly the same as mine, apart from the fact It doesn't have the scales.

I'm pretty sure I saw one very similar to mine in a SeaAngler mag... Got it! Fish Grab Tool = £7.50!!!

Here it is:
www.yga.yorks.com/acatalog/SEA_ACCESSORIES.html
It's near the bottom.

Hope some of this helps.

[SEAJUNKY]

Chris

That sounds to be what I need for the wife (Hope she doesn't read this) ;D Nice report mate, I think you should be on commision, Youv'e sold a set to me. Nice little report. Well done.

[ZEBRA]

brilliant i hope malc has them in

[ped]

Same here, I'm checking now if the Ebay supplier still has any.

[ZEBRA]

malc has some in i phoned him and reserved one

[SEAJUNKY]

Terry

I think you had better put malcs number back on. So we can all ring him for one.

Steve

[THURSOMAN]

Daft Question I know but who is Malc? ;D ;D

[ZEBRA]

malc is abc tackle

This is the link

www.northwaleskayakfishing.co.uk/id118.html