They do hold a 46" pike. But the grippers don't spin, so you need a firm grip and be ready.
Don't go for the top lip either.

They are light and float. Cheaper doesn't hurt either.

we used the orange grippers last year and i thought they worked great. better than expected. but none of the pike were over 35".

Those orange grippers are just ok. They don't secure the fish very well so you have squeeze down while an angry pike is flopping around your outstretched arm. You just need to be ready for it.

Nothing is better for this than a Boga Grip. They are pricy but they are made in USA and last forever.

I got a pair of the orange grippers for our trip next week. Have always just gone behind the gills, "across the shoulders" in the past. I hope to catch one too large to be able to grab the shoulders on this trip . I will include my .02 regarding the gripper with my report.

J

I like the thought of holding the fish with my hand.  I normally wear fingerless gloves while paddeling.  when fishing I usally have a pair of gloves handy for handeling fish.  Call me a priss but I dont like fish slime on my hands...ewww.  I favor the work gloves at Menards.  My hands are soft from working at a desk all day so when I go into the wild I want to protect them.  Even around home when I fish I have gloves or handy.

Voyageur is on the money. While not in a canoe, I have landed pike in the mid-40 inches by hand. The key is when your index finger under the gill cover (and not touching the gills) and thumb on the outside come together, pinch them together and lift. Keeps fingers away from hooks as well and works with fish large enough that you cannot reach across the shoulders.

MT, I'll stick with the orange lip grippers. I used them to handle a 46" pike soloing. You're right about keeping a tight grip when they try testing your hold though. The Orange Grippers won't fail as long as your grip doesn't.

Once the hooks are removed the pictures look better without the orange grippers.

I can agree with much of what has been said but in the same breath I have experienced some misgivings with pike. They are unpredictable at best. I have ended up with a big treble in my palm (rapala magnum) trying to release an average northern with a pair of channel locks. Reached down while it was still in the water and tried to remove the hooks while it was floating (mistake #1). Fortunately the fish jumped off and I held onto the channel locks and was able to crimp the barb and slide it back through. This happened some 30 years ago and left quite an "impression".

I am still loathe to lift a pike over 44" in my solo. In a tandem I wouldn't think twice...........A bell northwoods is a very stable platform.

Nice looking fish PJ........I love the markings on pike.
PJ is quite likely right about avoiding lipper tools and learning to slide in from behind the gills. I suspect an orange lipper is a poor way to handle a big northern. When they start spinning and twisting it would be a strong grip indeed that would be able to hang on. I still like my boga because it is free spinning while my wrist still stays in one place. Slick tool. I would suggest becoming familiar with what works on smaller and midsized fish until you become confident and proficient. As pointed out to hesitate and not have confidence is likely to end in a poor result for you and the fish.

Still reluctant? Try using some of the "fish handling" gloves made by Lindy. Basically tooth and hook proof.

Having never landed a NP that I couldn't grab across the back behind the gill plates, I had heard of but never tried the gill to jaw technique.

I found this article which I found very informative and maybe others will who have never caught or hope to catch a trophy NP.

The guy seems very knowledgeable about handling them, but like everything he has his detractors. Scroll thru replies and you'll see what I mean

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PhantomJug wrote on Jul 7^th, 2011 at 5:02pm:

Best advice for anything.  More accidents happen from trepidatious action.
Aslo be prepared to let go with authority.