Bass Pro Shops® Fish Gripper Pliers
A Handy Piece of Gear You Won't Need...Until You Need It!
We all dream of catching that one monster fish. The elder statesman that is seen briefly enough to confirm it's existence, but virtually impossible to coax into biting much less landing. So we go on fishing, happy to battle any average 2-3 pounder willing to give our 1/2 oz. spinnerbait a try. But what happens when the big one does bite? Will you be prepared?
Lessons Learned
It was late season, one week or so before Thanksgiving. The Bass bite was all but over in Michigan and I found myself cold and alone casting my Kevin Vandam spinnerbait over dying vegetation. I had given up on my favorite spots and settled out at a small inland lake in the Pinckney Recreation Area.
On my 20th or so cast – boom! Barely 20 yards from me and hitting in water less than 2 feet deep, I saw the unmistakable anaconda-like roll of a big Northern Pike.
Spooled with just 8# fluorocarbon, I knew the odds were against me right off the bat. I had gear for a 3lb. bass, not a 20lb. Pike! Even though he only had about 25 yards of line, I gingerly brought him in. Once I got him to shore, I jumped in the water with him - this was a once in a season fish. His eyes were the size of nickels and teeth the size of a german shepherds! Kneeling by his side in the water, I put my pole down and suddenly realized, %^& I have no way to hold onto him!
As I struggled to remove the hook, he wrestled away before I could get a picture. He was as thick as my thigh and since my pole was laying in the water next to him, I was able to measure him against that - 46" to 48" long! Not a record, but certainly not expected for a small recreation lake where people take their poodles to swim.
Using the Gear
My experience above should have been enough to convince me to buy these. But it was late in the season, soon the snow came and it became a low priority. It wasn't until the following season where it was an average 5 pound Northern Pike that really drove the point home – as he drove his razor like teeth deep into my thumb and fore finger. That night, I ordered.
Since then, I rely on these for any Northern Pike and larger Walleye where teeth can be a hazard. They have a deep design and curved body that allows to grip in and around large incisors. For the squeamish, the design also allows for gripping panfish bodies. When doing so, always take care not to pinch or otherwise put pressure on the internal organs.
Review Summary
The Bass Pro Shops Fish Gripper Pliers are light weight, unobtrusive, and effective when called upon. Since I've purchased, these grippers are probably one of the most handy tools I carry. I keep them in the back pocket (a lanyard is also included) and don't need them often, but the security they provide makes all the difference. Like it says in the title, you really won't need to call on these most of the time. But when you do, boy are you going to be happy to have them. Excellent - 78
