Berkley Big Game Lip Grip Tool

A more reasonable alternative to expensive catch and release tools, the Lip Grip works extremely well.

I fished with this tool on several occasions this month. I used it on a variety of fish with a variety of mouth and lip structure. On every occasion except one, it worked extremely well. I need to qualify the one time it did not work and tell you it was on a 25 pound cobia that had no intention of coming in the boat. I needed a gaff, because I don't think any of the lipping products on the market can hold a cobia.

This unit is stainless steel and looks like it will hold up well in saltwater. Once the tongs are released on the lip of a fish, they will not open. I lipped sheepshead, redfish, red snapper, grouper, sea bass - well just about everything I caught with the exception of that cobia. The cobia went into a twisting rage which really pinched my wrist in the lanyard. I had no choice but to pull the release spring to relieve my pain.

Other than the twisting lanyard problem, which happens on all of the lipping tools on any of the larger fish, I have only one complaint. The tool does not float. I have not lost mine, but several of my guide friends have complained about accidentally dropping one overboard, or forgetting to use the lanyard. Their fix was to tie a large float to the lanyard.

The Lip Grip performed without a flaw on all my trips. Overall I find that it is a great value and a tool worth having in your tackle box.