Fishing Pliers 101: A Must-Have Tool for Every Angler

Ask any craftsman or builder, and they’ll each give you the same piece of advice: Use the right tool for the right job. For experienced anglers, that advice holds true. If you need a single tool to remove hooks from freshly caught fish or trim lines quickly, a single set of quality fish pliers is a lifesaver, and the best fishing pliers have multiple uses.

What Are Fishing Pliers? 

Fishing pliers are specifically designed for the conditions experienced during fishing. In particular:

• They’re typically made of rust-resistant materials like stainless steel and aluminum.
• Their jaws are usually long and thin to reach into the throat of a fish and remove lures or hooks.
• Most have built-in cutters for slicing through lines.
• Their grips are rubberized or grooved, making them easy to hold onto in wet conditions.

These are just some of the basic attributes you’ll find in nearly all fishing pliers; some sets are even more specialized for different tasks. 

Uses of Fishing Pliers 

Some fishing pliers feature small holes for pulling hooks to make tying knots easier; others have hooked noses to ensure proper grip on deep-seated hooks. 

Regardless of the particular differences among the many pliers available, their primary function remains the same: to remove hooks from the mouths of fish and cut fishing lines. Depending on the type of fishing pliers, they may also be used for crimping split shot sinkers and crimp sleeves. 

Still, since fish pliers are relatively simple tools, they’re also highly versatile for situations unrelated to fishing. They can retrieve dropped items from deep crevices, hold objects during repairs, or twist bent items back into shape. They especially come in handy when you want to pick up an object that might be harmful, such as a lump of hot coal from a campfire once you’re back on shore.

Types of Fishing Pliers 

Which type of fish pliers do you need? Have a look at the following list and see if any appeal to you from the outset:

• Hook Removers: Can easily pull hooks from the mouths of fish with their bent or hooked jaw.
• Needle-nose Pliers: Feature long, narrow jaws and are excellent at a variety of jobs
• Crimping Pliers: Designed to crimp split shots and sleeves for heavy lines.
• Cutting Pliers: Often referred to as “wire cutters,” specialized cutters that do a better job at cutting fishing lines than a pair of needle-nose pliers.
• Split-Ring Pliers: Feature one pointed jaw that hooks over the second jaw; perfect for making secure attachment points for lures and hooks with split rings.
• Bent-Nose Pliers: Similar to needle-nose pliers, just with jaws bent to one side, can improve the viewing angle when removing hooks from fish.

The types of pliers that best suit your needs may require some trial and error. You may find you prefer bent-nose to straight needle-nose or vice versa. At the same time, you may love having a dedicated set of cutting pliers or discover that the built-in cutting jaws on a standard set of pliers suit you just fine. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Choosing the Best Fishing Pliers 

Once you’ve decided on which type of pliers you need, it’s time to focus on the pliers’ other attributes, such as:

• Materials: The best fishing pliers are made of corrosion-resistant substances that can withstand years of heavy use, such as stainless steel and aluminum
• Durability: Even if the pliers are essentially rustproof, they may be poorly designed and fall apart after minimal use
• Comfort: If the pliers don’t have rubber grips, they should be shaped to avoid sharp edges or hard points and maximize comfort.

While comfort is always essential, strong materials and good design are especially important for severe environments such as saltwater, which leads us to our next point.

Best Saltwater Fishing Pliers 

The presence of salt risks destroying your boat, gear, and tools. Not only that, but the fish and animals you encounter will be much larger, meaning all your equipment will have to be scaled up accordingly. 

If you’re using a thick line that requires crimping, for instance, you’re going to have to have cutters that are up to the task. A heavy-duty set of multi-tool saltwater fishing pliers that gives the user plenty of leverage to crimp even the heaviest crimp sleeves would be a welcome companion. Such a tool allows an angler to have a single device to handle multiple operations without carrying extra pliers. 

Should you need a set of fishing pliers to remove a hook from deep in your catch's gullet, you may want a similarly strong and sturdy premium set with needle-nose jaws, two different crimping slots, built-in vise grips, and perhaps even a bottle opener.

Maintaining Your Fishing Pliers 

Even the hardiest, strongest pliers still need care. Here’s how to keep yours going strong:

• Rinse off your pliers after use with freshwater, never saltwater
• Dry your pliers thoroughly with a cloth or towel
• Periodically lubricate your pliers with WD-40 or an equivalent, then wipe clean
• When you’re not using your pliers, store them in a dry location 
• Continually inspect your pliers for signs of rust or damage, and always test them before use

Lastly, you’ll want to purchase your pliers from a reputable company. Not only are you far more likely to get a solid product in the first place, but you can also rest assured knowing that an honest manufacturer will back your pliers. If you ever have problems with your pliers, you should be able to contact the company and get professional repair, cleaning, or replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing Pliers 

Can You Carry-On Fishing Pliers? 

As long as the pliers don’t have a blade and are less than seven inches long from end to end, you can carry them onto a plane. Otherwise, they’ll have to go in your checked baggage. 

What Are the Holes for on Fishing Pliers? 

Some fishing pliers have holes for pulling hooks, which makes tying knots easier. The holes may also aid in bending wires or crimping.