Quick answer

A fish lip tool, or lip gripper, is a handheld accessory that holds a fish by its lower jaw for safe handling, unhooking and weighing. It keeps hands away from sharp teeth, treble hooks and spiny fins, prevents dropping the fish and protects its slime coating. Many models include mechanical or digital scales.

A fish lip tool (commonly called a fish lip gripper) is a handheld fishing accessory designed to securely hold a fish by its lower jaw for safe handling, unhooking, and weighing.

Why Anglers Use Them

  • Angler Safety: Keeps hands away from sharp teeth (like pike or walleye), treble hooks, and spiny fins.
  • Fish Protection: Prevents dropping the fish and avoids rubbing off their protective slime coating, which happens when handling them with bare hands or rags.
  • Accurate Weighing: Many models feature integrated mechanical or digital scales so you can weigh your catch without transferring it to another device.

Top Product Recommendations

  • Rapala Floating Fish Gripper: This model is built from heavy-duty molded plastic and is highly favored because it floats if dropped in the water. It holds fish securely without damaging the jaw and includes a wrist lanyard for security.
  • KastKing Digital Fish Gripper: Ideal for tournament anglers, this stainless steel gripper features an integrated digital scale and a waterproof LCD screen, allowing you to lift, weigh, and record your catch simultaneously.
  • BogaGrip Fish Handling Tool: The industry standard for durability and saltwater resistance. Built entirely from robust stainless steel, it features a highly accurate, calibrated mechanical scale that is widely recognized for official record keeping.

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About Maimun Fishing Tackles. Serving Kenya's fishing community since 1975 (founded as Asma & Sons in Old Town Mombasa) — fishing tackle, nets, aquaculture equipment and farm netting, with branches in Mombasa (Nehru Road), Nairobi (Darosa Plaza, Karen Road), Malindi and Naivasha. Questions about this guide? Call or WhatsApp +254 706 903 465 or email [email protected].