Make your own descending device

How to fish

With just a couple of tools and a few minutes, The Fish Grip™, originally designed as a safer way for anglers to land fish, can easily be converted into a rockfish descending device. Fish Grips™ can be purchased at local tackle shops or online.‌

Items Needed‌

The Fish Grip™‌
Drill‌
Scissors or knife‌
Two 15-18 inch lengths of line‌
One large rubber band‌

Step 1

Cut bungee strap off of The Fish Grip™.‌

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Step 2

Drill a hole into the handle ‌that doesn't already have one.‌

Step 3

Cut two 15-18 inch sections of line.‌

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Step 4

Insert line through the ‌hole in one of the handles ‌and tie a knot. ‌

Step 5

Tie a loop in the other end of the line. ‌

Then repeat steps 4 and 5 on the other handle.‌

Step 6

Put rubber band around handles ‌to help keep closed. Leave it on during use.‌

Rubber bands will need to be replaced regularly.‌

Step 7

Attach a weight to the line from the handle ‌that has "The Fish Grip" written on it. (Fish Grip will ‌be upside down.) Attach the line from the other ‌handle to an extra fishing pole or hand line.‌

To descend a fish:

Clamp the device onto the lower jaw, lower the fish ‌to depth of capture or at least 100 feet. Then, give ‌the line a sharp tug. The device will open, and the ‌fish will swim away. Retrieve the device, and it is ‌ready to use again.‌

For additional information on rockfish recompression and descending devices, along with videos on how to use this and other descending devices please visit: Rockfish recompression

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