I'm going to try fishing from a float tube within the next few days, and plan to work an area that holds large halibut during this time of year. I finally got my hands on a Boga Grip and would like to use it instead of a gaff, but I hear it can be tricky to get the larger fish close enough to lip. Does anyone have any pointers to share?

TL,

CC

I am VERY experienced in LOSING big halibut at the tube...
They are sneaky, they will be passive up the last second and then go nuts. I have only used swimbaits so far, and the way flatties shake their heads is very effective for dislodging them. They have nasty big pointy teeth and since I use 4# 6# or finally now 8# line they are gone in an instant.

I have a big net with a short handle. I have a "sacred pacific islander" gaff, 32" long. I have a Boga grip.

The way I have used my boga so far is to put the loop on my wrist and I have the loop tied to a line tied to my kick-boat...don't wanna lose that $$$ sucka. Anyrate loop on the right wrist. Grip the boga handle like it was a pistol, trigger finger holding the jaws open on one of the tangs. I "slide" the fish up to the waiting boga just at or under water level and point the trigger finger to release the jaws.
I've tried this with the left as well, holding the pole with the right, try both sides out yourself.

Since I got the sacred gaff and the boga I have not caught any big fish, so my boga practice has been on smaller ones...YMMV

seems to work great, however...

Quietman

I find that many times the halibut has its mouth closed as I land it. I have a net that has tiny webbing to prevent tail splitting, but being able to boga the flatties for a picture would be ideal. I try to avoid disturbing their slime coats if I can, and a net isn't the best way to do this. The larger fish won't fit in my net, and I usually just cut my line, sacrificing a swimbait.

Telling the halibut to say "AHHHHHHHHH" doesn't seem to work very well, either.

-CC

They do seem to come up with their mouth closed quite a bit. Usually I can just float them on the surface (once they're through with most of the fight) and eventually they'll open up. Occasionally they might take off again (especially if you try to get them to open their mouths) or even come unbuttoned. I've had pretty good luck and have only lost one nice fish (26" range) while "waiting" for it to open it's mouth. The ease of using a BogaGrip combined with the fact that I'm not damaging the fish with a net makes it well worth it.