Best Fish Grippers: 6 Lip Grips for Safer Handling
A fish gripper clamps a fish’s lower jaw so you can control it without touching teeth, gill plates, or a...
By James
Updated November 10, 2026
A fish gripper clamps a fish’s lower jaw so you can control it without touching teeth, gill plates, or a mouthful of treble hooks. That makes unhooking safer for you and faster for the fish. Grippers are especially useful for pike, bluefish, catfish, redfish, and any fish you plan to release.
This guide compares six fish grippers from Boga Grip, Rapala, KastKing, Berkley, ArcPro, and SnailTrail, from a stainless tool with a built-in scale to floating plastic grips. We compared each maker’s published material, length, locking mechanism, capacity, and extras. For more tools, see our fishing pliers guide and the fishing tools section.
Our Top Picks
| Best for | Product | FH Score About FH ScoreThe FH Score is our editorial rating from 0 to 10, based on published specs, materials, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings and is never influenced by commissions. Learn more › | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |
Boga Grip 130 (30 lb scale)
|
8.5/10 | Check Price |
| Best value |
Rapala 9 in Floating Fish Gripper
|
7.5/10 | Check Price |
| Best trigger grip |
KastKing Paradox 9 in Lip Gripper
|
7.6/10 | Check Price |
| Best for big fish |
Berkley 12 in Big Game Lip Gripper
|
7.6/10 | Check Price |
| Best budget with scale |
ArcPro Aluminum Lip Gripper with 60 lb Scale
|
7.5/10 | Check Price |
| Best budget floating |
SnailTrail Floating Fish Gripper
|
6.8/10 | Check Price |
The Picks in Detail
Boga Grip 130 (30 lb scale)
Why it made the list: The Boga Grip is the long-standing reference for lip grippers. It is built from 300 series stainless steel and acetal with no screws or threads, so it comes apart for cleaning and holds up in salt water. The Model 130 weighs fish up to 30 lb in half-pound steps with a scale Boga calibrates against certified weights, and it handles fish up to 60 lb.
Key specs: 10-3/4 in long; built-in scale to 30 lb in 1/2 lb increments; handles fish to 60 lb; 300 series stainless and acetal; ball-detent pins, no screws.
Skip it if: you only need to hold bass for a photo. A low-cost floating gripper does that.
Pros
- Very durable saltwater build
- Accurate built-in scale
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
- Does not float
Rapala 9 in Floating Fish Gripper
Why it made the list: Rapala’s 9-inch gripper floats if dropped, holds a fish securely with one hand, and releases with a quick mechanism. It is corrosion resistant and comes with a wrist lanyard.
Key specs: 9 in; floats; one-handed operation; quick-release mechanism; corrosion resistant; wrist lanyard.
Skip it if: you want to weigh fish. The Boga or ArcPro has a scale.
Pros
- Floats
- Low cost
- Lanyard included
Cons
- Plastic is less durable than metal
- No scale
KastKing Paradox 9 in Lip Gripper
Why it made the list: The Paradox opens with a two-finger trigger and spring-loaded jaws, so it is easy to use with one hand while you hold the rod in the other. The elastomer handle stays grippy when wet, and an adjustable wrist strap prevents drops.
Key specs: 9 in; two-finger trigger; spring-loaded jaws; non-slip elastomer handle; adjustable wrist strap.
Skip it if: you fish from a kayak and might drop it. A floating gripper is safer.
Pros
- Easy one-handed trigger
- Grippy handle
- Wrist strap
Cons
- No scale
- Listing does not say it floats
Berkley 12 in Big Game Lip Gripper
Why it made the list: The longer 12-inch Big Game gripper keeps your hand farther from pike, musky, and saltwater fish. It has a stainless steel body, a positive locking jaw that holds until you release it, and a non-slip handle.
Key specs: 12 in; corrosion-resistant stainless steel body; positive locking jaw; non-slip comfort handle; fresh and salt water.
Skip it if: you mostly catch panfish and small bass. A shorter gripper is easier to carry.
Pros
- Longer reach
- Locking jaw
- Stainless build
Cons
- Heavier than plastic grippers
- No scale
ArcPro Aluminum Lip Gripper with 60 lb Scale
Why it made the list: The ArcPro combines an aluminum gripper with a 60 lb scale at a fraction of the Boga’s cost. A 360-degree swivel handle lets a fish twist without straining your wrist, and the lever opens with one finger. It weighs 0.57 lb and comes with a retractable lanyard.
Key specs: aluminum alloy; built-in 60 lb scale; 360-degree swivel handle; one-finger release lever; wide jaw; EVA handle; 0.57 lb (259 g); retractable lanyard.
Skip it if: you need a certifiable weight for records. Choose the Boga.
Pros
- Scale included
- Swivel handle
- Light for a metal gripper
Cons
- Scale accuracy not stated
- Lesser-known brand
SnailTrail Floating Fish Gripper
Why it made the list: This low-cost gripper is lightweight PP plastic that floats, with a smooth (non-serrated) jaw that is gentler on fish mouths. It comes in 7.5 and 9-inch sizes.
Key specs: PP plastic; floats; non-serrated jaw; one-handed release; 7.5 or 9 in sizes. The listing says it holds fish up to 100 lb; treat that as the maker’s claim.
Skip it if: you fish for big saltwater fish often. A stainless gripper lasts longer.
Pros
- Floats
- Gentle jaw
- Very low cost
Cons
- May feel stiff at first, per the maker
- Plastic build
Fish Grippers Compared
| Gripper | Length | Material | Floats | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boga Grip 130 | 10-3/4 in | Stainless and acetal | No | 30 lb |
| Rapala Floating | 9 in | Not stated | Yes | No |
| KastKing Paradox | 9 in | Not stated in bullets | Not stated | No |
| Berkley Big Game | 12 in | Stainless steel | No | No |
| ArcPro | Not stated | Aluminum alloy | Not stated | 60 lb |
| SnailTrail | 7.5 or 9 in | PP plastic | Yes | No |
How We Picked
We did not use these grippers for this guide. We researched each one and compared the specifications published by the makers. Our criteria:
- Secure hold and easy release.
- Material and corrosion resistance.
- Length for toothy and big fish.
- Extras: scale, floating, lanyard.
- Value.
The FH Score in each product box is our editorial rating, built from five weighted criteria: performance for the job, build quality, versatility, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings. See how it works on our How We Review page.
How to Choose a Fish Gripper
Material
Stainless steel and aluminum last longest, especially in salt water. Plastic grippers are lighter, often float, and cost less.
Length
About 9 inches suits bass and walleye. Longer grippers keep hands away from pike, musky, and saltwater fish.
Floating
From kayaks and docks, a floating gripper is easy to recover if dropped.
Scale
A built-in scale lets you weigh fish in the gripper and release them quickly.
Handle the fish gently
Support a heavy fish’s belly with your other hand instead of hanging it vertically by the jaw, and get it back in the water quickly.
Related Guides
See more in our Fish Grips section.
FAQ
Are lip grippers bad for fish?
Used correctly, grippers hold fish securely for unhooking. Support heavy fish horizontally to reduce strain on the jaw.
Can I use a fish gripper on catfish?
Yes. Grippers help with catfish, which have spines and rough jaws.
Do I need a floating gripper?
From a kayak, dock, or pier, a floating gripper is worth it.
Final Thoughts
The Boga Grip 130 is our top pick for its stainless saltwater build and calibrated scale. Choose the Rapala floating gripper for value, the KastKing Paradox for an easy trigger, the Berkley Big Game for big fish, the ArcPro for a low-cost gripper with a scale, and the SnailTrail as a budget floating option.
About the author
James writes reviews and buying guides for Fishing Hacking, covering rods, reels, line, lures, and the gear anglers rely on. His work focuses on clear criteria, balanced pros and cons, and practical advice to help readers choose equipment that fits how and where they fish.