I’ve always carried a net, but I’ve been seeing a lot more people using the fish grippers. Do you bring a net, gripper, or both?

I bring a gripper for pike, but often don't use it. A net is just another piece of gear to haul along and potentially forget on portages, for me.

I’ve used a gripper for maybe the last 25 years but recently bought a nice wide frabill wading net with a 10” handle. I did this because it’s more humane and I didn’t like my arm getting twisted hauling in a big pike or trout.

It’s also better for catch and release. The fish can remain in the water next to the canoe while the hook is being removed. I’ve had occasions where the big fish is laying in the boat thrashing and having to take a long time removing hooks. On 2 occasions I couldn’t revive 40 inch pike.

With this big rubberized net the fish remains in the water the whole time even while the hook is removed. To see how this is done check out the latest trip video from “Lost Lakes” from his Wabakimi
trip a few weeks ago.

Lost Lakes Wabakimi 2024

Gripper!

Our group has never carried landing nets or grippers.

You're already sitting close to the water. Most, if not all, walleyes can easily be hand-landed simply by grabbing the fish behind the head while using the palm of the hand to lay the dorsal fin down.

With bass, you get the fish up to the boat and slip a thumb inside the mouth and hold the fish vertical by the lower jaw. Doing so neutralizes the fish and keeps it steady while you remove the lure.

When it comes to northern pike, we hand land them like we do walleye. It can be a little more exciting at the boat, but once you get "the claw" on them behind the head, they generally cooperate. You use your spare hand to grab a pliers and remove the lure. Sometimes, a jaw spreader is required.

The bottom line is, the vast majority of fish that you'll catch are very easy to land by hand and you don't have to mess with another piece of gear in the canoe. It just takes a little practice. And if you DO end up catching a large northern, your net probably won't be large enough anyway.

This floats is very lightweight, 17” across and 22” deep. The rubber netting won’t snag or tangle in the fish. Strap in the canoe or the back of a pack on portages.

Fraybill short handle net.

Just like Jackfish said. Also, years of wader fishing for walleye in the spring has taught me that when using Rapalas, I'll usually grab the lure with my bare hand - up near the lip, away from the trebles, near where the line is tied on. Most, up to those 25 inchers or so, are easily landed this way. Never carried any of those other tools to the BWCAW.

Gripper for the following:

1. No more getting the tangled lure out of the net
2. Less cumbersome. Takes up less space.
3. Less hard on the fish. You can keep them in the water. Netting fish can be stressful and harmful on the fish.

One down side: I have lost a few fish trying to get the grippers on the mouth of the fish in the water.

I use the Berkley fish grippers that have the automatic gripping mechanism. Makes it much easier.

Thanks!

I've been using a gripper the last few years. It usually works fine but a big pike can be down right challenging at times. After seeing my partner hook himself on the last trip, I am really starting to consider a net instead. They have their own set of problems, but the hope that I can keep the fish out of the boat and away from me while getting the hook out. With a gripper, you just have no real control with a truly big fish.

I always have a rubber net with me in the BW, and always use it on big fish (can't take the chance of a trophy getting away at the boat). Most of the time I just use wet hands though.

I've read across numerous conservation websites, and it seems to be a mixed opinion on whether a gripper or a net is safer for the fish. Either way, when practicing "catch and release" it is recommended to keep the fish in the water as much as possible, and also maintain control of the fish (so it isn't thrashing around) as much as possible.

Also, needle nose pliers are NOT fish grippers. (sorry had to say it, it's a big pet peeve of mine)

Converted from net to gripper. I'll never look back.

Try pinching your barbs (that's not a euphemism).

Decide for yourself and then "you do you!" I support your preference.

scottiebaldwin: "Converted from net to gripper. I'll never look back.

Try pinching your barbs (that's not a euphemism).

Decide for yourself and then "you do you!" I support your preference."

If you are going to Quetico, pinching or even barbless is mandatory. I am currently swapping out some of my hooks with barbless hooks.

Sorry, a little off topic, but those barbs in the net are a PITA!

Barbless hooks no matter where I’m fishing. Also I’ve taken to removing all trebles except the tail on crankbaits.

IMO barbed hooks and multiple trebles have killed a lot of fish (keeping them in the boat too long)

A rubber net with a basket shaped bottom and barbless hooks is best for the fish and our skin. The fish never comes in the boat and if you want a pic it’s simple to take it out for less than 30
Seconds before it’s released.

All that said and I will still use my hand for most smaller fish.

fun4dad2: "

scottiebaldwin: "Converted from net to gripper. I'll never look back.

Try pinching your barbs (that's not a euphemism).

Decide for yourself and then "you do you!" I support your preference."

If you are going to Quetico, pinching or even barbless is mandatory. I am currently swapping out some of my hooks with barbless hooks.

Sorry, a little off topic, but those barbs in the net are a PITA!
"

“All-encompassingly” (shameless Mitch Hedberg reference there) I agree with barbs in the net being a PITA! Don’t bother swapping out your hooks, rather just take a needle-nose pliers and pinch down those barbs. They reset right back into the hook perfectly.

When I go with my kids, a net...mostly because that's what I am used to and seems safest.

When I'm solo, neither.

We have a folding net that works well. My partner is firmly anti-gripper, but he harbors strong opinions on lots of stuff.
So net it is. Usually for the larger walleye.

Hand and all hooks are barbless. Makes it easier 95% of the time.

mapsguy1955: "Hand and all hooks are barbless. Makes it easier 95% of the time. "

“Easier 95% of the time” I like it ha ha

Gripper, there are different sizes but they float. (the plastic ones)

Good quality, do the job, don't weigh anything and aren't bulky like nets

I switched over to the plastic fish gripper. Works great for me.

Argo1: "I've been using a gripper the last few years. It usually works fine but a big pike can be down right challenging at times. After seeing my partner hook himself on the last trip, I am really starting to consider a net instead. They have their own set of problems, but the hope that I can keep the fish out of the boat and away from me while getting the hook out. With a gripper, you just have no real control with a truly big fish."

I bought and tried out some of the metal grippers on my woodland caribou trip last spring. My first fish I needed then for was a 38" northern and I had a hell of a time getting them on while that thing was still full of piss and vinegar. I've used them on another dozen or so fish but really am concerned about them trading and getting hooked (though I crimp the barbs these days). Whenever possible, I land fish by hand, behind the head and will be using a rubberized net when it's a better option.

I think any option you can safely do is good.

Me personally, I am going after large fish and releasing so I use a large rubberized net that breaks down to easily carry. Hooks don’t ever get stuck in it, fish can be landed before the point of exhaustion. I’ve used a fish gripper too, but prefer a net for myself.

Please DO NOT drag fish to shore to land. You are hauling them out of the deep cold water into warm water and literally playing the fish to “death” whether it swims off or not it probably will succumb to delayed hooking mortality. If you cannot land a fish out of the canoe with your technique, then you probably need to review your method of capture.

Please DO NOT play fish to “death” until they just lay on the surface un less you plan to keep it for dinner. You are building up so much lactic acid and fatigue into the fish it will have a tough time surviving. Once again high delayed hooking mortality.

I think nylon fishing nets should be outlawed :) but personally they are worthless IMHO. Take the slime protective layer off of fish, hooks foul in them, they cut the fins—damage fish, and will eventually rot and break. Mostly though I hate them because they damage fish.

T