For the OP: I have a fish grip on a T-Reins leash.

9 hours ago, 07Rapala said:

Can it basically replace a net?

It can, if you're low to the water.  I still prefer a net when there's a face full of trebles.

9 hours ago, 07Rapala said:

Any pro-tips on how to grab a big fish by the gills?

Don't.

7 hours ago, J Francho said:

16 hours ago, 07Rapala said:

Any pro-tips on how to grab a big fish by the gills?

Don't.

Perhaps I misspoke or wasn't clear, but I've seen a lot of musky/pike videos where they pick the fish up out of the water by grabbing under their 'chin'. Is there something wrong with that?

You can. But unless you really know what your doing, don't.  Unless you plan on eating them, then it doesn't matter.

The problem with big Pike and Musky is they sometimes act like alligators and roll twisting your grip on them, bass don’t do that. Smaller Pike and Musky you can grab by the back of the nick above the gill covers.

Tom

I like that donkey leash idea. Can honestly say I never heard of one. We used to use those old time metal stringers that look like oversized swivels.  But obviously that was only the fish we kept. No such thing is smartphones back then ?