Our Top Picks
For most anglers, the Rapala 9-inch floating fish gripper is the best all-around fish grip in this group: it is built for one-handed use, it floats if it slips from your wrist, and it works in both fresh and salt water. A fish grip (also called a lip gripper) clamps a fish’s lower jaw so you can lift, unhook and release it without putting your fingers near hooks or teeth. If you want a built-in scale, a lanyard-first plastic model for kayaks, or a compact size for panfish and trout, the picks below cover each case, and a few are flagged plainly as better suited to specific jobs.
Quick List
- Booms Fishing G05 (9.4″) – best for kayaks and wet, corrosive conditions
- Rapala 9″ Floating Gripper – best for all-around boat and bank use
- 2-in-1 Aluminum Gripper with Scale (60 lb listing) – best for anglers who want a weigh-in tool built in
- Mossy Oak 10.5″ 2-Pack – best for sharing a spare between two anglers or two boats
- Rapala 6″ Floating Gripper – best for bass, trout and panfish-size fish
- Entsport Stainless Gripper with Scale – best for anglers who want a metal body and a digital readout
Which One Is Right for You?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Fish from a kayak or paddleboard and cannot afford to drop gear | Booms Fishing G05 for its lanyard, or either Rapala for its flotation |
| Want one grip that handles bass, catfish and small saltwater species | Rapala 9″ Floating Gripper |
| Care about weighing a fish before release | The 2-in-1 aluminum gripper or the Entsport model |
| Keep a spare in the boat and one in the truck | Mossy Oak 10.5″ 2-Pack |
| Mostly handle fish under about 5 pounds | Rapala 6″ Floating Gripper |
| Prefer a metal body that does not flex under load | Entsport or the 2-in-1 aluminum gripper |
The simplest rule is to match the grip to the fish. A longer plastic grip keeps your hand farther from the fish and is easy to clean, while the scale-equipped metal models trade a little simplicity for the ability to record a weight. Whichever you pick, check the product page for the capacity rating before you rely on it with a trophy fish.
Booms Fishing G05 Fish Lip Gripper Saltwater, 9.4" Plastic Catfish Grippers Pliers, Fish Grabber Tool with Lanyard, Fish Grips for Kayak Fishing Accessories, Great Fish Holder for Caught Fish, Green
Chosen because it specifies 9.4" Plastic Catfish Grippers Pliers and Fish Grabber Tool with Lanyard.
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Rapala 9" Floating Fish Gripper 9", white/black | Secure Fish Handling, One-Handed Operation, Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing, Floating Design, Landing and Releasing Fish
Chosen because it specifies white/black and Secure Fish Handling.
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2-in-1 Fish Lip Gripper, One-Finger Operation Aluminum Alloy Fish Gripper with Scale, 60lb Weighing Fish Grabber for Large Fish, 360° Swivel Handle, Corrosion-Resistant for Saltwater & Freshwater
Chosen because it specifies One-Finger Operation Aluminum Alloy Fish Gripper with Scale and 60lb Weighing Fish Grabber for Large Fish.
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Mossy Oak 2pc 10.5'' Fishing Lip Grippers
Picked as a relevant option in this category.
View on AmazonRapala 6 Inch Floating Fish Gripper, Fish Handling Tool | One-Handed Fish Control, Catch Release Tool, Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing, Boat and Shore Fishing, Secure Fish Landing
Chosen because it specifies Fish Handling Tool and One-Handed Fish Control.
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Entsport Fish Lip Gripper Fish Scales Professional Fish Holder Stainless Steel Fish Lip Grabber 40 Pound Fish Lip Grip Tool with Weight Scale
Picked as a relevant option in this category.
View on AmazonAll 6 Picks in Detail
1. Booms Fishing G05 Fish Lip Gripper – Best for Kayak and Lanyard Setups
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The G05 is a 9.4-inch plastic gripper marketed for kayak fishing and saltwater use, and its listing highlights a lanyard and a catfish-style jaw. Seller descriptions say the body is a nylon and glass-fiber blend, with a stated load bearing of up to 110 pounds. That is a manufacturer claim, so treat it as the upper limit and not a target.
Who it suits: kayak, canoe and small-boat anglers who work from a seated position where every dropped item is a loss. The listing also points to catfish and saltwater use, and the nylon-blend body is a reasonable match for the wet, gritty conditions those anglers deal with. Because the seller lists a load figure, it is also a good pick if you like knowing where the manufacturer draws the line.
- Length: 9.4 inches
- Material: nylon and glass-fiber plastic, per seller descriptions
- Stated load: up to 110 lb (seller claim; confirm on listing)
- Included: wrist lanyard
- Extras: jaw design that lets you open a fish’s mouth with one hand, per retailer text
Pros
- Lanyard included for tethering to a kayak or vest
- Published load figure gives you a clear ceiling
- Corrosion-resistant body
Cons
- Does not float on its own according to the listing, which only mentions the lanyard
- No scale
Next to the Mossy Oak pair, the G05 is the better single-grip choice for kayak anglers because the lanyard is the centerpiece of its design.
2. Rapala 9″ Floating Fish Gripper – Best for All-Around Use
This is the grip to start with if you fish a mix of waters and do not want to think about it. The listing describes a 9-inch floating design with one-handed operation for freshwater and saltwater. Because it is molded plastic, there is no metal to corrode, and it rinses clean after a day with slime and bait.
Who it suits: anglers who split time between a bass boat, a pier and the occasional saltwater trip and want a single, forgiving tool. It is also a sensible first grip for a newer angler, because the shape is familiar and the operation is simple. If you routinely handle fish over ten pounds or want a weight on the spot, look at the scale-equipped metal options further down instead.
- Length: 9 inches
- Body: molded plastic, floats on the surface
- Operation: one-handed, with a quick-release mechanism per retailer descriptions
- Use: freshwater and saltwater
- Capacity: not published in the sources we found, so confirm on the product page
Pros
- Floats, so a dropped grip is recoverable
- No metal parts to rust
- Long enough to keep your fingers away from hooks
Cons
- No built-in scale
- No stated weight rating, so very large fish call for caution
Compared with the Booms G05, the Rapala gives you flotation instead of a stated load rating, so choose it when losing the tool overboard is your main worry.
3. 2-in-1 Aluminum Gripper with 60 lb Scale – Best for Weighing at the Boat
This listing combines a one-finger-operation aluminum gripper with a scale rated for 60 pounds, plus a 360-degree swivel handle meant to reduce wrist strain during weighing. It is a better fit than the plastic grips if you keep records, fish tournaments with weigh-ins or just want to know what you caught.
Who it suits: anglers who log catches, fish club events or simply enjoy knowing a fish’s weight before release. The one-finger trigger and swivel handle are aimed at reducing hand and wrist fatigue when you hold a heavier fish for a few seconds. If you only ever release fish without weighing them, a simpler plastic grip is lighter and has fewer parts to fail.
- Body: aluminum alloy with corrosion-resistant finish
- Scale: built in, listed at 60 lb
- Handle: 360-degree swivel
- Operation: one-finger trigger
- Battery and unit details: confirm on listing
Pros
- Grip and scale in one tool
- Metal construction feels solid
- Swivel helps stop a spinning fish from twisting the scale
Cons
- Scale accuracy is not independently verified; sister listings for similar products show different weight limits, so confirm the rating
- A scale and electronics add something to maintain
Compared with the Entsport model, this one emphasizes the swivel handle and the higher stated limit, though both ask you to verify the capacity yourself.
4. Mossy Oak 2pc 10.5″ Fishing Lip Grippers – Best for Spare Duty
Mossy Oak sells these as a two-pack of 10.5-inch nylon and fiberglass grippers with lanyards and non-slip handles. The longer length keeps your hand a bit farther from the fish, and the pair means one can live in a boat while another sits in a bag or a second vehicle.
Who it suits: families, fishing partners and guides who want identical tools on hand so nobody waits for a turn. It also works as a backup for anglers who have lost a grip before and would rather keep a spare in the tackle bag. The extra length is welcome when handling bass and catfish, but it can feel long in a cramped kayak cockpit.
Fit and use: keep one clipped to your vest or boat rail and the other in the vehicle or a second tackle bag. Rinse both after each trip, and check the lanyard stitching and the trigger spring periodically, since plastic parts can wear with use.
- Quantity: 2 grippers
- Length: 10.5 inches each
- Material: nylon and fiberglass
- Included: lanyards and non-slip handles
- Stated holding limit: about 44 lb per the retailer text (confirm on listing)
Pros
- Two tools in one purchase
- Longest reach in this group
- Lightweight for the length
Cons
- No scale
- Plastic jaws will not match metal for very large fish
Versus the Rapala 9-inch, the Mossy Oak set offers an extra gripper and a bit more length, while the Rapala adds flotation.
5. Rapala 6″ Floating Fish Gripper – Best for Smaller Fish
The 6-inch Rapala is the compact version of the same design: one-handed, floating, molded plastic with a quick-release feature. Its size is a strength when you fish for trout, panfish or school-size bass because it slips into a vest pocket and is less awkward on a small jaw.
Who it suits: trout streams, panfish ponds and light-tackle bass anglers. The shorter body is easier to maneuver in tight quarters, such as under a bridge or in the bow of a canoe. If you ever target pike, walleye with large teeth or saltwater species that have sharp gill plates, step up to the longer Rapala or one of the metal-bodied models.
Fit and use: clip it to a vest or pack with the lanyard, and keep it handy for quick catch-and-release at the stream or pond. Its modest size also makes it a good second grip for a kid’s tackle box.
- Length: 6 inches
- Body: molded floating plastic
- Operation: one-handed, catch-and-release oriented
- Use: freshwater and saltwater
- Included: wrist lanyard per retailer descriptions (confirm on listing)
Pros
- Pocketable and light
- Floats
- Gentle size for small mouths
Cons
- Short reach is a poor match for toothy or large fish
- No scale and no published weight rating
It is best viewed as the small-fish companion to the 9-inch Rapala, not as a replacement for it if you also chase bigger fish.
6. Entsport Stainless Steel Lip Gripper with Scale – Best for a Metal Body and Digital Readout
The Entsport pairs a stainless steel gripper with a digital scale and a non-slip handle. The title calls it a 40-pound tool, but other published figures for the same model describe a capacity of about 15 kilograms and a readout in kilograms, so read the product page before you trust the headline number. It is a runner-up for weighing duty because of that mismatch between the title and the spec fields.
Who it suits: anglers who prefer metal jaws and want a digital readout without carrying a separate scale. It is also a candidate for a belt pouch because of its compact body. Given the mismatch between the title and other published capacity data, it is best treated as a runner-up for heavier fish until you have confirmed the rating on the current listing.
- Body: stainless steel with a gripped handle
- Scale: digital readout; capacity stated as 40 lb in the title, with other sources citing 15 kg
- Length: roughly 9.6 inches per retailer data
- Extras: wrist strap and quick-release lever
- Batteries: confirm on listing
Pros
- Metal jaws and body
- Built-in weighing
- Compact enough to carry on a belt
Cons
- Capacity and unit information is inconsistent between sources
- Electronics and stainless can both suffer if rinsed carelessly
Among the scale-equipped options, the 2-in-1 aluminum gripper states the higher limit, while the Entsport leans on a stainless body.
Specs Compared
| Product | Length | Body | Scale | Floats | Stated capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapala 9″ Floating | 9 in | Molded plastic | No | Yes | Confirm on listing |
| Booms G05 | 9.4 in | Nylon and glass-fiber plastic | No | Confirm on listing | Up to 110 lb (seller claim) |
| 2-in-1 Aluminum with Scale | Confirm on listing | Aluminum alloy | Yes (60 lb listing) | No | 60 lb scale; confirm on listing |
| Mossy Oak 10.5″ 2-Pack | 10.5 in | Nylon and fiberglass | No | Confirm on listing | About 44 lb per retailer text |
| Rapala 6″ Floating | 6 in | Molded plastic | No | Yes | Confirm on listing |
| Entsport Stainless | About 9.6 in (retailer data) | Stainless steel | Yes (digital) | No | 40 lb in title; 15 kg in other data |
How We Chose These
This guide is research-based. We started from the six grippers in the current catalog set and compared what each listing states: length, body material, whether a scale is built in, whether a lanyard is included and whether the tool floats. We cross-checked those claims against other retailer and brand-store specification fields and set aside any number that sources disagreed on, flagging it as “confirm on listing” instead. We did not run field trials, so no pick is ranked by on-the-water performance. The order reflects how broadly each design fits typical anglers, how clearly its limits are published and how well it suits a specific job.
What to Look For
Body Material and Corrosion
Fish grips come in molded plastic or composite, aluminum and stainless steel. Plastic and nylon-glass blends are light, will not rust and often float or at least do not sink like a metal tool, which is why they dominate kayak and boat use. Aluminum is lighter than steel but needs an anodized or coated finish for salt water. Stainless steel is the stiffest and tolerates abuse, but cheaper grades can still pit if you leave salt on them. After every saltwater trip, rinse the tool with fresh water, work the trigger a few times and let it dry open.
Length and Reach
Length decides how far your hand stays from hooks and teeth. Six-inch grips suit trout, panfish and small bass. Nine to ten inches covers most bass, catfish, walleye and inshore saltwater fish. Anything longer than about ten inches adds reach for toothy species but gets awkward in a crowded kayak. As a rule of thumb, choose a grip about as long as the fish’s head is deep, then add a few inches if the species has sharp teeth.
Capacity and Scale Accuracy
Many listings state a capacity, but the number often describes breaking strength, not a safe working load. A grip with a 40-pound rating is not a good match for a 40-pound fish. Leave generous margin, and remember that a wriggling fish can briefly load the tool well above its resting weight. Built-in scales are convenient but usually sold as estimates, so use them for logging, not for tournament-grade results. Look for the unit (pounds or kilograms), whether the display holds the reading and what batteries it needs.
Operation and Fish Care
One-handed operation matters when your other hand holds a rod or the boat. Look for a trigger that locks the jaw and releases cleanly. Lip grippers are a convenience, not a license to hang heavy fish vertically: wildlife agencies and angling groups commonly advise supporting a larger fish’s body with a wet hand or sling and keeping it horizontal, since hanging by the jaw can injure it. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible, and skip the grip entirely for species that bruise easily or have fragile jaws.
Jaw Design and Species Fit
Jaw shape matters as much as length. Wide, toothed or ridged jaws hold a slippery lip without crushing it, while narrow jaws can slip on a bass and bite too hard on a trout. Catfish, bass, walleye and most inshore saltwater species have a lip structure that suits a standard grip. Fish with fragile jaws or bony mouths, and any species where local rules or best practices say not to use a lip grip, should be handled with wet hands and a net instead. Check regulations and local guidance before assuming a grip is acceptable for a protected or sensitive species.
Worked Example
Suppose you fish a lake from a kayak for largemouth bass up to about six pounds and want to log catches. A plastic 9-inch grip with a lanyard keeps your hand clear and the tool tethered. If you decide you want weights as well, a scale-equipped model fits, but you accept another item to rinse and a stated capacity you should verify. Six pounds against any of the listed ratings leaves a large margin, which is the point.
Questions
Are fish lip grippers safe for the fish?
They are generally considered acceptable for catch-and-release when used briefly and with the fish held horizontally. Avoid hanging heavy fish by the jaw, and avoid grippers on species with fragile mouths. When in doubt, support the body with your other hand.
Do I need a grip with a built-in scale?
Only if you want weights for records or tournaments. A dedicated hanging scale is often more accurate, and a plain grip is simpler to maintain. If you do want one tool, pick a scale model with a clearly stated unit and capacity.
Will a plastic grip break on a big fish?
Quality nylon and glass-fiber grips are designed for common game fish, but each has a limit. Compare the stated capacity to your target species and leave margin. For very large or aggressive fish, a metal grip or net is the safer call.
Does the grip need to float?
It helps if you fish from a boat, kayak or dock where a dropped tool would sink. Floating plastic models solve that problem. Otherwise, a lanyard clipped to your wrist, vest or boat does the same job.
How do I clean and store a fish grip?
Rinse it in fresh water after each outing, especially in salt water, and operate the jaw while rinsing to flush grit. Let it air dry before storing it. Oil the pivot lightly if the spring or hinge starts to stick on metal models.
What size grip should I buy for bass and catfish?
A 9- to 10-inch grip handles most bass and channel catfish comfortably. Step down to six inches for trout and panfish. For larger catfish, look for a higher stated capacity and consider metal jaws.
Update History
- October 14, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Brand-store and retailer product listings for Rapala, Booms Fishing, Mossy Oak, Entsport and the 2-in-1 aluminum gripper
- Retailer listing titles, bullet points and specification fields for each product
- General fish-handling guidance from fisheries and angling organizations
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