You can lip grip some catfish, but it’s often not the best choice because it can be rough on both you and the fish. 😬
Here’s why:
- Catfish mouths are soft and slippery. Their lips and jaw tissue don’t always give a secure hold, especially on larger fish. A bad grip can tear tissue and cause the fish to thrash loose.
- The spines are the real hazard. Catfish have sharp dorsal and pectoral spines that can puncture or cut you during a twist or flop. A lip grip doesn’t control the rest of the fish well enough.
- Big catfish are heavy. Hanging a large fish vertically by the mouth can strain the jaw, especially if the fish is bouncing around or if the grip slips.
- It can reduce fish control. When a catfish starts rolling, the grip may rotate awkwardly and put your hand right where those spines want to be. That’s how “easy catch” turns into “urgent first aid.”
A better approach is to support the fish horizontally with one hand under the belly and the other controlling the mouth or tail, or to use wet hands and a landing net. If you do use a lip gripper, keep the fish low over the deck/ground, never swinging, and only briefly for control or a quick photo.
For handling tools, a gripper can still be useful—just choose one with a secure handle and use it as a control tool, not a full-body hoist. Options like a KastKing Paradox 9" Lip Grip or Catfish Pro Tournament Series Fish Lip Grip are better for brief handling than for dangling a big blue cat like a chandelier.
If your goal is fish safety, your safety, and a clean release, the best combo is usually: net first, gloves/wet hands second, lip grip only if needed. Catfish are built like underwater barbells with attitudes—respect the hardware and you’ll avoid a nasty surprise. Tight lines, and keep those fingers clear of the spines! 🎣
