We all have at least once faced the situation where we desperately realized the absence of good fishing pliers. Fishing pliers are essential when you go out to catch fish because they can help you with multiple things.
For example, they can help you remove the hook, cut the line, or even shanking the hook.
A good quality pair of pliers is made of good quality material which can last for you for many years to come even after extensive use. However, just like different fishing rods have different features. Similarly, different pliers have different characteristics.
So, whether you are fishing in freshwater or saltwater, pliers are a must. And because it is such an important tool, I have decided to review the best fishing pliers and talk about the essential aspects of fishing pliers.
Best Fishing Pliers At A Glance:
| Image | dETAILS | pRICE |
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ZACX Fishing Pliers – EVA Foam Handle – Aluminum fishing pliers – Corrosion-resistant |
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KastKing Cutthroat Fishing Pliers – Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steel – Tungsten Carbide Cutters – Multi-Function Jaws |
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Piscifun Fishing Pliers – Anti-Corrosion Aluminum – Spring Loaded Pliers – Nylon Sheath |
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KastKing Intimidator – Tough S45 steel construction – Teflon Coating – Spring-loaded jaws |
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Booms Fishing X1 – Stainless steel jaws – Super Braided Line Cutters – Single-barrel crimping position |
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Calamus A7 – Lightweight aircraft aluminum – 2-inch serrated jaws – Calamus rubber handle material |
Best Fishing Pliers
Undoubtedly, pliers are one of the most important tools for any angler. I can vouch for their importance because I constantly use them on all my fishing trips.
But, a single plier can’t be used for all types of fishing. This is because pliers are created for different water types and fish species.
So, to help you learn about the best fishing pliers and their different types, I have decided to create a convenient and helpful guide.
First, I will review the best fishing pliers, and then I will discuss some important features and specifications of the pliers. Let’s get started.
#1 – ZACX Fishing Pliers
– Key Features
- Fish lip gripper plier
- Hook removing pliers
- Pliers come with EVA foam handles with a classic 4.3 inch T-handle grabber
- Lip gripper with ergonomic for improving the strength of the plier
- New stylish design with hollow design to reduce weight
- Pliers material: aluminum
- Multi-functional pliers; usable for many purposes
- Plier’s handles are loaded with springs when keeps it freely open and allows ease of use with one hand
- Flexible and durable
- The product package includes one fishing plier, one fishing gripper, one fishing toolset.
– Positives:
- Easy catching and releasing with this plier.
- Quickly removes even the most stubborn hooks.
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Ease of use because of the convenient design.
- Affordable and good money value.
- Solid build but lightweight.
- Easy lanyard.
- It can be used in a number of situations like removing the. hook, cutting lines, tying lines, moving the hook, etc.
- Works in both freshwater and saltwater.
- Ideal for experts and beginners alike.
– Drawbacks:
- Rusts very easily and quickly.
- Pliers are big for split rings.
- Product sometimes delivered defective.
- Poor customer service.
ZACX Fishing Pliers are a multi-purpose Fish lip tool that I think is a must-have for serious anglers. These pliers are equipped with the best of every feature, which helps to catch most fish.
The best thing about these pliers is that they have spring-loaded handles, making them easy to use with one hand, keeping your one hand free.
You can use these pliers for several things like cutting the fishing line (most preferably braided line), removing fishing hooks from the mouth or body of the fish, or using them in any situation. This versatile plier will ensure that you have a great fishing experience.
However, the anglers face a problem while using the pliers because the pliers have a big mouth, which makes it challenging to use on split rings. Therefore, this plier is unsuitable for delicate work, but it is perfect for other fishing requirements.
My Verdict:
The ZACX fishing pliers are undoubtedly one of the best kinds of pliers out there. They are incredibly easy to use because of their intelligent design.
I think that every angler should have a pair of these pliers so that they can change the dynamics of their fishing trips. The pliers do have a few drawbacks, but those drawbacks are not more significant than their advantages.
They are perfect for the job and ideal for all kinds of fishing species out there, whether big or small.
#2 – KastKing Cutthroat Fishing Pliers
– Key Features
- The product comes in many different colors like seafoam, black, and orange
- Product material: stainless steel, carbide, and rubber
- Handle material stainless steel and rubber
- Handle grip type: Ergonomic
- Plier’s blades are made of rust-resistant stainless steel with Teflon coating
- The pliers are 46% harder and more durable than aluminum pliers
- Flexible and sturdy
- Works perfectly in all fishing conditions
- Ideal for fishing in saltwater as well as freshwater
- Pliers have multi-purpose jaws for cutting fishing lines, removing hooks or building a steel leader, etc.
- Rubber handles provide a firm grip on pliers so that they can be used with one hand.
– Positives:
- Great handles for ideal grip.
- Perfect thickness of pliers.
- Pliers come with a case for carrying.
- Safe pliers for everyday fishing use.
- Corrosion-resistant steel blades with Teflon coating.
- The pliers come with a multi-purpose jaw, which can be used in many situations.
- It comes with a sheath and lanyard for ease in tying to your clothes or belt.
- Ideal for all types of fishing.
- Convenient for use by both expert and beginner anglers.
– Drawbacks:
- The connection point between the blade and the handle is weak and can break very easily.
- The case is not durable and can tear easily.
- The Velcro of the case is not strong and durable enough.
- The nose of the plier can sometimes bend if the hook is too deep-rooted into the fish.
- In some instances, the pliers can also rust.
The KastKing Cutthroat pliers are very much similar to the pliers that Piscifun offer (which I will discuss in a while). However, the only difference is in the material of which the handles are made.
The KastKing fishing pliers come with rubber-coated handles that are very comfortable in hand, especially on a cold-weather fishing trip.
The rubber also makes them incredibly slip-resistant. The fantastic thing about these pliers is that even though they are not made from aluminum, they are still corrosion resistant because they are made from high-quality stainless steel with Teflon coating.
In addition, the KastKing pliers are claimed to be harder than the aluminum pliers because of the Teflon coating.
These pliers also come equipped with sharp tungsten carbide cutters, which are on the top of the jaws next to the rubber handles, which are sharp enough to cut flesh.
However, an issue with the handles is that the point from which they are joined to the blade is very weak and can break off easily after initial use. Another problem is the case in which these pliers that come in are not very durable and can get broken easily.
My Verdict:
Just like other fishing pliers, this plier is also not perfect. But, there is no doubt that it is better than most plier choices. The biggest flex of it is its great blade which is coated with Teflon.
It makes catching fish more fun and makes it feel like a victory every time you use it to catch the fish for storing or catch the fish for releasing back to the water.
Many people who have used it think that it is one of the best fishing pliers that they have used. It is worth having for your fishing trips.
#3 – Piscifun Fishing Pliers
– Key Features
- The product comes in three different colors: blue and silver, black and silver, and deep black
- Anti-corrosion aluminum (aircraft grade) blades
- Ideal for long term use
- Handles are CNC cut with durability and lightness
- Pliers loaded with spring which makes them super easy to use with one hand and also allows them to open freely
- Tungsten carbide cutters are replaceable if there is any damage or dulling of the blade
- Ideal for cutting all kinds of line
- Comes with a nylon sheath and coiled lanyard for easy securing around the belt.
– Positives:
- Replaceable tungsten cutters.
- Spring-loaded handles for convenient use with one hand.
- Titanium coated steel jaws of the pliers.
- Ideal for use in saltwater fishing.
- Handy and highly sensitive.
- Easy to carry and convenient to use.
- Blades made of aluminum; the aircraft-grade one.
- Anodized pliers.
- Stylish design.
- Lightweight, durable, and long-lasting.
– Drawbacks:
- It has the potential to be improved via a Velcro locker.
- Low-quality sheath and carbine.
- The tips of the pliers are too big for split rings.
- The tip of the plier can bend on slight pressure.
Piscifun fishing gear is popular among fishing because of its good quality and excellent performance. Just like their other fishing gear, their pliers are also one of the best pliers out there.
When you go out to buy Piscifun fishing pliers, you will realize that there are two lengths to choose from. This is because their pliers are very light and easy to use. The lightweight comes from the anti-rust aluminum handles.
The greatest thing about these pliers is that they have tungsten cutters that can cut all kinds of fishing lines, including braided lines. And the blades are also replaceable if they ever get dull or damaged over time.
The pliers also come with a lanyard and sheath to attach to the belt or clothes. However, even though these pliers are amazing, but they too are not without defects. The biggest issue with them is that they are not sturdy enough.
Another problem is that their nose can bend on the slightest pressure, which makes the authenticity of the pliers questionable.
My Verdict:
Piscifun pliers are a solid fishing tool to include in your fishing toolbox. They are very sturdy and comfortable to use.
However, these are only a few pliers that actually allow changing the cutters if the original ones get dull. Their carbide blades are also a plus point that I don’t find very often in fishing pliers.
Despite their drawbacks, I would recommend buying these pliers because their advantages are way better than their defects.
#4 – KastKing Intimidator
– Key Features
- Corrosion-resistant cutter blades
- Teflon coated blades
- Saltwater approved
- Tough S45 steel construction which doesn’t bend or break the tip easily
- Ideal for using in many situations like removing hooks, opening split rings, crimping shots
- Very handy and convenient to use
- Durable, sturdy, and long-lasting
- Precision control with ergonomic texture and small size.
- Comfortable in use without the worry of slippage
- Multi-function jaws which are ideal for use in many situations
- Ideal for beginner anglers
- The combo includes a holder for keeping the pliers safe
- Product size: 7 inch
- Nose Style: straight/split ring
- Jaw length: 2 inch
– Positives:
- Ideal for new anglers.
- Rust-proof.
- Amazing grip design which doesn’t let the pliers slip from the hand.
- Light and fast movement.
- Cutters cut any type of line.
- Steel constructed cutter blades coated with Teflon.
- Perfect for all fishing situations.
- Sturdy, durable, lightweight, long-lasting, and stylish pliers.
- Pliers come with good leverage.
– Drawbacks:
- The pliers don’t have a return spring.
- Cutters are not as sharp as advertised by KastKing.
- Space between the blades of the cutter which doesn’t cut the line smoothly.
- In some instances, they can get rusted.
- The pliers don’t come with an attached sheath or lanyard.
KastKing Intimidator comes in a great combo which includes a fishing plier and a holder. It has a floating lip grip that will not sink. The cutters are coated with tungsten carbide, which cuts through any line with ease, be it fluorocarbon, mono or braided.
It has a rigid steel assembly along with Teflon coating, which doesn’t break or bend easily. The KastKing Intimidator can be easily used to open the split rings to change the hooks or crimp split shots.
The remarkable thing is that the pliers have multi-function jaws for notching jaws or using split rings, and it has a floating lip grip, which makes the pliers float on the water’s surface even if it goes overboard. But, many customers have also faced issues regarding these pliers.
The most prevalent issue is that the cutters are not as sharp as advertised by KastKing. As a result, they don’t cut the line in the first attempt. Instead, it requires 1-2 attempts to cut the fishing line.
Another issue is that the pliers have a gap between the cutter blades which keeps the line loose, and as a result, it doesn’t cut it. They are also smaller in size than advertised.
My Verdict:
KastKing Intimidator is undoubtedly an amazing plier, but it has a fair share of issues. You can enjoy using it for your many fishing adventures and in many situations, but it is not very durable, and you can’t rely only on the Intimidator for all your fishing trips. Therefore, careful consideration is required before you buy the KastKing Intimidator.
#5 – Booms Fishing X1
– Key Features
- Product color: black and silver, blue and green and silver
- Handle material: aluminum
- Jaws material: stainless steel
- Ideal for removing hooks, opening split rings, and cutting fishing line
- Lightweight, sturdy and durable
- Pliers come with a lanyard that secures the plier to your belt for quick and easy access.
- Product length: 7 inches
- Perfect for use in saltwater and freshwater
- Pliers are spring-loaded
- Stylish design
– Positives:
- Ideal for saltwater fishing.
- The cutter blades are sharp enough to cut the heaviest lines like 40lb of braid line.
- Long-lasting, durable and sturdy.
- Rust and corrosion-resistant.
- Ideal for using in various situations like removing the hook, cutting like or tying the split rings.
- The pliers have the ideal length for removing hooks and generally holding in hand.
- Lightweight even after being coated with aircraft aluminum.
– Drawbacks:
- The handles don’t have spring as advertised, and it is difficult to open or close the handles with one hand.
- A low-quality lanyard that doesn’t work smoothly.
- Not good money value.
- Sometimes the pliers come with loosened screws which are difficult to tighten.
- The nose of the pliers can easily bend.
These pliers are another amazing type of fishing pliers which many anglers prefer because of the plier’s portability. These pliers come with an attached sheath so that you can freely attach it to your belt. It is super convenient to use and handle.
The size of this plier is 6.3’and its handle has sprung to be used with one hand. The ABS plastic handle makes the whole plier holding experience very comfortable. Apart from this, these pliers are super compact, and lightweight which means that they won’t take much space or add weight to your toolbox.
They have amazing strength and are incredibly durable because it is constructed with 420 stainless steel. These pliers are most probably going to stay with you on your many fishing excursions.
But the issue anglers face is that the handles are not as easy to open and close with one hand as advertised. The plier is also not tight near the cutters, which makes it difficult to hold the objects.
Another issue is that the sheath is of low-quality spring, which loosens up and gets rusted with time, and finally, the issue is that the Booms X1 pliers are not affordable with all these drawbacks.
My Verdict:
These pliers have many advantages which can really help anglers in their daily or frequent fishing trips. These amazing pliers are of good quality and provide amazing performance whenever used.
They do have some issues, but the issues are worth ignoring because the advantages are so great.
#6 – Calamus A7
– Key Features
- Product color: blue, red, and seafoam
- Lightweight and durable
- Corrosion-resistant because of aircraft-grade aluminum coating
- Vanadium cutters for precise and sharp cutting
- Spring-loaded handles
- Rubber handles for a solid grip
- Incredibly handy
- Ideal for fishing in saltwater and freshwater
- Helpful to anglers in many fishing situations
- Sharp side-mounted cutters
- Multi-function jaws
- Stylish design
- Pliers come with an attached sheath and a carrying case for easy use.
– Positives:
- Firm grip even after the pliers get wet.
- Plier’s handles are loaded with springs which make it easy to use with one hand.
- The pliers have an excellent locker switch to lock the pliers closed.
- Ideal for holding equipment with the locked tip
- Durable and sturdy.
- Lightweight and long-lasting.
- Rust-resistant because of the anodized fishing on the blades of the pliers.
- Suitable for use in many fishing situations.
– Drawbacks:
- The sheath doesn’t stay intact on the belt when the pliers are withdrawn.
- The nose of the pliers are easily bendable.
- The side cutters are basically useless as they don’t cut any fishing hooks.
Calamus A7 fishing pliers are super lightweight, rust-proof, and coated with aircraft aluminum. It is a 7’ inch fishing plier with vanadium cutters that can cut through the hardest and sturdiest materials.
It can easily cut any fishing line like braid, fluorocarbon, or mono, and it can also build leaders or crimp the split shots. The remarkably noticeable thing is that these pliers have rubber handles and spring locking handles.
They are easy to carry around because they are lightweight. By buying these pliers, you will also get the sheath attached to them. You can easily keep the pliers near you all the time by connecting them to your belt. The stylish Calamus A7 can make anyone drool over your pliers.
But there are also some issues to consider before ordering these pliers. The issue with these pliers is that their blades don’t last long. The blades are removable, but their replacements are not easily available. Another problem is the sheath; it doesn’t stay in place when you withdraw them for use.
Overall they are a fantastic accessory to add to your fishing collection, but I recommend that you explore its drawbacks too before buying.
My Verdict:
Calamus A7 is such a stylish plier that it changes the whole look of your fishing equipment. It makes you stand out but not only in terms of appearance but also in terms of performance.
These pliers’ great performance and durability are what made them so loved among so many new and old anglers.
Picking The Best Fishing Plier – The Important Factors
Now that you have thoroughly gone through the reviews of all the pliers, it is time to discuss what you should consider while picking a fishing plier.
It is important to remember that these qualities will help you in your fishing spree, so you should not ignore them or take them lightly.
For example, if you are fishing in a saltwater lake, you can’t buy a plier that is not rustproof. So, carefully go through this next section if you don’t want to stain your excellent fishing trip with crassness.
Rustproofing/Corrosion Protection
Rustproofing and resistance to corrosion is a feature that is crucial in fishing pliers, especially when you plan on fishing in saltwater. Pliers are available in many materials like alloy, stainless steel, and metal and steel.
But, if the pliers (no matter the material) are not taken care of properly, then even the rustproof material can get rusted to an extent. This is why it is crucial to buy a rust-resistant/proof plier firstly and to take care of them.
I have a few tips up my sleeves that can help you keep your pliers in the best condition, protected from rust, and working at their best.
- After using your pliers for the first time, wash them with fresh water and wipe them with little oil.
- Always store the pliers in a dry place.
- If you are using the pliers excessively in saltwater, I suggest that you wash them after every use and wipe them with oil after washing them every time.
- If you still see that corrosion is building upon the pliers, use a metal or steel brush to clean it. Afterward, use a solvent like WD-40 to clean it.
Hopefully, these techniques will help you in keeping your pliers corrosion-resistant.
Material, Grip & Weight
Material:
Choosing the material requires very careful consideration, especially when you are more inclined towards saltwater fishing. This is because the salt water bodies have a very high amount of salt and minerals in them, making the pliers go blunt and get rusted.
Due to this reason, you must buy pliers made of titanium, stainless steel, alloy, or aluminum. These materials will stay in shape for many years before they lose their charm. Grip and Handles:
Pliers should be convenient to use and lightweight. This is an important component in good pliers. Usually, the manufacturers use high-quality aluminum to keep the pliers lightweight but also very strong.
Grips:
The handles and grip of pliers come down to personal preference. You can buy a plier that has a rubber or plastic-covered handle. Both provide a good grip on the plier. Another option is to use molded grips that secure the plier safely in your hand.
A solid grip is crucial while using fishing pliers, so choose accordingly.
Weight:
A suitable fishing plier is always lightweight and easy to use. It should not weigh more than 0.300 lbs. Because if the plier is so heavy that you have to hold it with two hands and you have to cut the, you simply won’t be able to do anything. Buy a lighter and easy-to-use plier.
Length Of The Nose: How Much Is It Important?
An easy way to understand the length of the nose is that it decides the possibilities while removing the hook from the fish. Suppose the nose is longer than it will easily handle the deeply stuck hook in the fish’s throat.
So, if you plan to catch big trophy fish, I suggest you go for long-nosed pliers (especially if you are fishing in saltwater because saltwater fish are bigger than freshwater fish).
You should have at least one long nose and one short nose plier when you go out to catch fish because each fish is unique and requires a different type of plier to take the hook out of them.
Line Cutters & Side Cutters
Line Cutters:
Line cutters are mainly used to cut the braid lines. However, they are ideal for cutting mainlines, tag ends, leaders, and removing hooks.
The line cutter you buy should be sharp and effective enough that it cuts the line quickly. If your cutter is effective, you won’t have to purchase different cutters to cut other lines because it is frustrating.
The line cutters should be made of a hard and high-end material like stainless steel or tungsten. These materials will ensure that the blades stay sharp and don’t get rusted with constant use.
Side Cutters:
Every fishing plier comes with a different kind of cutter. The job of a side cutter is to cut fishing hooks and lines. The only difference between line cutters and side cutters is that line cutters don’t have to be very strong because they are basically only used for cutting lines.
But, the side cutter needs to be strong with a firm drip because, along with being used for cutting the fishing line, it is also used for cutting and removing fishing hooks from the fish’s mouth.
This is why you should carefully consider a fishing plier before buying it.
Lanyards And Sheath
Lanyards:
The lanyards are rubber, nylon ropes, or wires which connect the pliers to the angler. There are many ways by which you can attach a lanyard to your clothes, vests, or waders so that you may easily access them.
First, however, it is necessary to attach to yourself, especially if you are fishing from a boat or from a pier.
Sheath:
A sheath is a holder for pliers like a handgun’s holder is a holster. You can easily connect a sheath to your waist or belt. It gives your whole fisher look a nice feature when you connect the sheath to your waders.
It also allows you to keep the pliers at a handy distance so that you can get hold of them whenever you need them. Sheaths are also helpful when you quickly want to release the fish back to the water.
Both lanyards and sheaths are optional, but if you use them, they will help you make your fishing trip better, convenient, and more enjoyable.
Some Benefits Of Using Fishing Pliers
One of the most valuable and beneficial tools in the fishing world is the fishing pliers. It doesn’t matter which type of fishing you do because each type requires you to have fishing pliers.
They make your many fishing jobs easier, like removing the hook from the fish, protecting your hands from sharp objects, flattening the barbs, cutting the fishing lines, grabbing lines, and tightening hooks.
Apart from this, you can also use the pliers for many non-fishing activities. There are many advantages of using the best fishing pliers other than the ones I mentioned above.
Let’s take a look at some of the most famous benefits:
- Pliers help efficiently remove the hooks from your fish’s mouth, body, or your own body if you accidentally impale yourself.
- It easily cuts the fishing lines.
- It removes barbs from the hooks.
- It easily cuts, replaces, or bends the hooks.
- Pliers cut baits.
- Gripping, opening, closing, or cutting the terminal tackles like hollow core, swivels, lead weights, split rings, split shots, etc.
- It can help you in holding fish.
- It aids you in adjusting the rod and reel.
My Final Verdict:
Now that you have learned potentially everything about the fishing pliers and reading about the best ones available in the market, I am sure you must have decided which fishing plier is the best.
All of you must have a different plier that you think will be perfect for you because the definition of perfect is relative as everyone has their preferences.
But, I think that Piscifun Fishing Pliers are the best pliers. Because they are versatile, flexible, durable, rustproof, and can be used in many situations; basically, they are the all-rounders among all the fishing pliers.
A good pair of pliers can change your take on the fishing trip. It will make your fishing trip easier and more enjoyable. That is why you should choose a plier with the features that suit your needs and fishing requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1 – How to Care for Your Pliers?
Taking care of your pliers is not a difficult task, but it is an important one. This is how you can take care of your pliers:
- Rinse with soft water after every use, mainly after you use it in saltwater.
- After rinsing it, try with a tissue or towel and store it in a dry place.
- Occasionally, oil or spray your pliers with anti-rust like WD-40.
Following these tips will help you in keeping your fishing pliers in top shape.
#2 – Can I use regular pliers for fishing?
Yes, you can use normal pliers for fishing, but you shouldn’t use them. This is because normal pliers don’t have features needed while fishing, like the specific nose design, durability, anti-rust properties, etc. However, if you are really into fishing, you should buy a good pair of fishing pliers.
#3 – What are the notches on fishing pliers for?
The notches on fishing pliers are used for helping you open the split ring, which is manufacturers use for connecting each part of the gear to each other. Mostly every fishing plier has a slight notch on the side of its arms.
#4 – How do you use bent nose fishing pliers?
The easiest way to use bent nose fishing pliers is to put the pliers inside the mouth of the fish or in any body part where there is a hook and then bend it back so that you get hold of the hook easily and bend it so that it comes out easily.
#5 – How do you use split ring pliers for fishing lures?
If you have a split ring, all you have to do is put that ring into the lure and then attach a hook to it so that fish might bite it.
