Passaic River Pike

You got a great start on the river...Keep going!!!

[Skunk City]

Saw the pics on FB, awesome fish James. Keep wackin' them.

As for the Boga vs. Hand debate, I own and used a Boga for many Pike, but after catching and releasing hundreds of these fish, the gill plate method is my preferred way of handling them. The fish tend to go ape sh*t on the Boga, a lot of times twisting and turning until they pop a hole in their mouth or fall off. Grabbing the fish *properly* underneath the gill plate makes it a lot easier to control the fish, most times completely stops them from thrashing, and does absolutely no damage to the fish. You are not holding the fish by the gills or putting your fingers in between them. If you are doing it properly, you are really gripping them by the excess cartilage they have under their jaws. Even with friends I take out Pike fishing for the first time, I will teach them that method of handling the fish from the get go. Yes its weird sliding your fingers in there ( ), but its the least stressful for the fish hands down. In Europe, I have read about movements to have Boga grips banned as it has potential to do permanent damage to the fish.

[Fish n Jeep]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

its weird sliding your fingers in there ( )

That's what she said.

Sorry, had to do it.

[acabtp]

nice pike man

since we're talking about fish handling: it's better to hold the big esox horizontal instead of vertical. their internal organs aren't designed to support their own weight out of the water, so holding them horizontally stresses them less. logically, this would be the same for all fish, i guess. but the esox are long and narrow so they are affected more. either way, they'll probably be fine, but might as well do what's best for them.