Granted, slightly awkward, but I can honestly say we've never lost a fish boatside as a result of sliding on the glove. The newer version has a velcro tab and is slightly more constricted around the wrist, but the original version can actually be slipped on while it's laying on the bottom of the canoe. Even with the new model, while holding the rod with your right hand, we use the left hand to position the glove between the right hand thumb and the rod butt, then simply slip the left hand in.  Keep in mind, most fish are somewhat wore down at boatside. Besides, I don't like boating any fish that's still "green" as they're more prone to getting injured.....especially in a net. Considering you have one of these gloves I'd highly encourage you to give it a try this year. I also take a Boga that we occasionally use to land and/or weigh large lakers & pike, but almost all walleye, pike and lakers are landed with the glove. Smallies are typically lipped. I think the best attribute is that you don't have to manuever the fish boatside to get a shot at an open mouth for the lip gripper. If you can touch it, you got it.