Best Fishing Pliers and Hook Removal Tools: What Every Tackle Bag Needs
Fishing pliers are the most underappreciated gear in the tackle bag. You reach for them multiple times per session — removing deeply embedded hooks, crimping swivels, cutting braid, and handling fish safely. A pair that rusts on the first rainy day, loses spring tension, or can't cut through braid is worse than useless. Here's what we've found actually holds up, categorized by application and budget.
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KastKing Cutthroat 7-inch Fishing Pliers
Best value fishing pliers — stainless construction, cuts braid, long-nose reach, and a price that makes them expendable when they get left at the dockThe KastKing Cutthroat earns its place in the recommendation because it does everything competently at $24. Fishing pliers get dropped, lost overboard, buried in tackle bags for years, and subjected to abuse that makes expensive alternatives impractical. At this price, you buy a pair, use them hard, and replace them when they fail without regret. The braid cutters actually cut braid — not all pliers can claim this — which is critical when you need to quickly cut a tangled line.
Cuda 8-inch Titanium Fishing Pliers
Best saltwater fishing pliers — titanium construction is virtually rust-proof, lightweight, and designed for the abuse of long-term saltwater useFor CT saltwater anglers who fish jetties and rocky shores regularly, the Cuda titanium is the correct long-term investment. Stainless steel eventually pits and rusts in saltwater despite rinse maintenance; titanium does not. The 8-inch length reaches into large bluefish and striper mouths without getting your hands near the hooks. The built-in split ring tool makes swapping out damaged treble hooks between sessions quicker than using a separate tool.
Ripoffs Coil-Lock Holster
Best pliers accessory — coil-lock tether keeps pliers accessible without losing them overboard, attaches to belt or PFD D-ringThis isn't a brand people talk about, but the pliers holster solves the single most common pliers problem: losing them. From kayaks, wade-fishing, and dock fishing, pliers go overboard constantly. A retractable tether on your belt or PFD keeps them accessible and prevents loss. Buy this alongside your pliers — it costs $12 and saves a $24-$69 replacement every time.
Buying Guide
**What Fishing Pliers Need to Do**
Hook removal: The primary job. Long-nose design (7-8 inches minimum) reaches hooks in fish mouths without fingers near teeth or hooks. The long jaw also provides leverage to back out a deeply embedded hook.
Line cutting: A braid-capable side cutter is essential. Braid is nearly impossible to cut with standard scissors or pocket knives — fishing pliers designed to cut braid use hardened carbide cutting surfaces. Test this before buying: any plier that can't cut 30 lb braid is inadequate for modern fishing.
Crimping: For making cable leaders (saltwater applications) or securing split shots, the jaw design provides crimping capability.
Split rings: Changing hooks on lures requires opening split rings — a dedicated split ring tip on the pliers jaw makes this significantly easier than using standard needle-nose pliers.
**Corrosion in Saltwater vs. Freshwater**
Freshwater: Stainless steel pliers hold up well. Rinse with fresh water after use, dry before storage. Most stainless pliers last multiple seasons in freshwater use.
Saltwater: Salt accelerates corrosion dramatically. Rinse with fresh water after EVERY saltwater use. Stainless steel still corrodes in salt over time, particularly at pivot points. Titanium or titanium-coated pliers are the correct long-term choice for dedicated saltwater use.
**Dehooker vs. Pliers**
Standard pliers work for most hook removal. A dedicated dehooker is a specialized tool with a narrow, curved or angled head that slides down the line to push hooks out backward. Most useful for: - Deeply swallowed hooks in fish you plan to release - Handling fish with multiple treble hooks (reduces injury risk to both angler and fish) - Very large fish where pliers can't reach
For most freshwater fishing, standard long-nose pliers handle all hook removal needs.
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