Bass Finger

Use a boga. You won't need gloves.

Boga too expensive. $14 gets you this, Rapala fish gripper good for over 900 fish so far. Have it on a line attached to the cleat, lets me drop it over the side with fish attached for unattended revival.

Boga too expensive. $14 gets you this, Rapala fish gripper good for over 900 fish so far. Have it on a line attached to the cleat, lets me drop it over the side with fish attached for unattended revival.
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I have a Boga, never really liked using it. Too heavy. I have a version of the Rapala called "The Fish Grip" but never used it either except for one or two fish. It worked great when the bass had his mouth open. Tried it a few times after and couldn't get it into his mouth if it was shut. With my thumb works every time. I'm able to force it into the mouth a lot easier. That's why I'm thinking about trying a pair of gloves. A lot of types out there but if I don't like them, it's the hassle of a return.

Reason for the boga is minimal contact with fish. Of course, using a boga in a calm estuary is much more practical than in the gut or the elbow.

Conditions dictate land and release methods.

I have a Boga, never really liked using it. Too heavy. I have a version of the Rapala called "The Fish Grip" but never used it either except for one or two fish. It worked great when the bass had his mouth open. Tried it a few times after and couldn't get it into his mouth if it was shut. With my thumb works every time. I'm able to force it into the mouth a lot easier. That's why I'm thinking about trying a pair of gloves. A lot of types out there but if I don't like them, it's the hassle of a return.

Yes sometimes convincing a fish to open its mouth can be a challenge. Gloves never an option for me, I HATE and REFUSE to fish with gloves on.

Funny Bass Thumb story before the days of grippers and Bogas. Years ago as a newlywed, my bride asked, "How do I know if you're telling the truth about fishing?" "Oh, that's easy. If my hands are baby bottom soft and I said I caught fish, I was lying. If they were rough and bleeding, I caught fish!"

Funny Bass Thumb story before the days of grippers and Bogas. Years ago as a newlywed, my bride asked, "How do I know if you're telling the truth about fishing?" "Oh, that's easy. If my hands are baby bottom soft and I said I caught fish, I was lying. If they were rough and bleeding, I caught fish!"

Totally agree about not liking gloves. Over the past few days I have probably thumbed over forty bass, there's not baby bottom soft spot on these paws. As a matter of fact, my touch pad on my computer doesn't recognize my index finger which has also been roughed up with braid and mono cuts along with any number of hook pricks, fillet wounds and general fishing abuse.

I have a funny and nearly very dangerous bass thumb story. My dad showed my mom how to thumb bass in the old days. They got into a school of blues and bass together. He was busy and my mom tossed a smaller bluefish into the boat. She was about to stick her thumb into the mouth of a pissed off bluefish. Fortunately, my dad caught her just in time. That would have been a nasty wound.

@Crabman i did that one night and got chompted between my thumb and forefinger. I was distracted by another boat for a second and the next thing I knew was Ouch! Luckily it wasn't a monster.

@Crabman i did that one night and got chompted between my thumb and forefinger. I was distracted by another boat for a second and the next thing I knew was Ouch! Luckily it wasn't a monster.

Wow, you were lucky. Can't imagine a bluefish getting a hold of a finger. The space between your thumb and index would be like a hors d'euvres. Gone in one bite. We all know not to screw with a bluefish due to his bad attitude but he's usually easy to handle. The fish I use extra caution is the triggerfish. I've never been bit by one but I keep imagining my hand slipping down to his mouth while taking the hook out. A slip and next thing you know, he removes a crater of skin.

So great to see today. I have been teaching my neighbor to fish bass. He's made a bunch of trips with me. Today was his second time in the ocean on his own boat and he was solo. He ran to the fleet off the lighthouse and had seven fish. You could not wipe the smile off his face when he returned this afternoon. It was a real confidence booster.

Always satisfying to pass on knowledge. Nice job!