Space for gear when fishing from a kayak is at a premium. Anglers frequently find themselves doing without or making do with what they have because they don’t have room for all the equipment that is taken for granted in a larger vessel. While the stability of today’s plastic armada is also, on average, better than in the past, packing gear that floats if accidentally dropped overboard is another big plus.
One must-have kayaking item that fits this bill nicely is a product made by United Plastic Molders called “The Fish Grip.” It’s a sturdy, plastic landing device that incorporates a unique jaw design that holds the lip of the fish securely and can handle even large fish. The over-center locking mechanism allows you to grip it to lock onto the fish and flip the handle to open.
The Fish Grip is formed with a weight-scale slot that allows you to weigh the fish without releasing it from the grip — just deduct five ounces. The durable plastic grips come in six hi-vis colors including glow-in-the-dark. The grip has a wrist lanyard in case it slips but it also floats.
“Personally, I just like this grip for landing a fish,” said paddling expert Dolphin “Dave” Hamilton of Mount Pleasant, “especially if it’s a catch-and-release tournament where I need to get a picture of the fish. It helps me kind of hold the fish on to my measuring board. With some of the bigger reds they are catching, you know they just won’t fit into a net.”
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