Topic: The Best Fishing Pliers of 2023 (Read 31 times)
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Berkley’s basic pliers resemble what you might find at a hardware store at a similarly reasonable price, but upon closer inspection, they’re clearly made to be used by anglers. Several features, including the carbon steel jaws and crimping mechanism, will bail fishermen out in a pinch. Moreover, these are extremely co*fortable to use, with paddle handles that allow for one-handed operation. They may not be quite as corrosion-resistant as some higher-priced models, nor as durable, but they’re more than up to the task for day-to-day freshwater use.
Whether you’re trying to save your own knuckles or the life of a deeply-hooked trophy fish, sometimes a standard 6-inch or 8-inch set of pliers aren’t up to the task. They simply won’t go deep enough and still allow for maximum dexterity. Rapala has solved that problem with this 11-inch set, while still keeping the price point eminently affordable. They’re made of nickel-plated carbon steel for durability and rust resistance, along with co*fortable grips that allow for one-hand operation under duress. The first time a musky or pike takes your prized lure to the back of its gullet you’ll be glad you have these. Even if you already have a standard-sized pair, they’re an excellent addition, and also help in a pinch for MacGyvered boat repairs in tight spaces.
Sometimes a scalpel is a more valuable tool than a sword, and sometimes forceps are the best fishing pliers. That’s especially true when dealing with delicate fish and fine wire hooks. That’s why forceps have such a strong following in the trout fishing world, but their applications are wider than that—especially if you have the right ones. These are co*fortable to grip and will help you safely dig into tight spaces to remove hooks, whether it’s a #18 dry fly, or the fine wire of a flat-sided crankbait. They also have a sharpener built in so you can get those hooks back to tip-top shape upon removal. They’re not at the bottom of the forceps price scale, but those extra features make the small bump worthwhile.
Whether you’ve lost some function in your hands or just want to ensure maximum grip under all conditions, a pistol grip style set of pliers can help you hang on, and these Bubba’s are really a fantastic tool. They’re made of stainless steel with a titanium-nitride coating, allowing continued operation in saltwater. They also have multiple features such as a crimping tool and wicked sharp cutters. I find them easy to grab onto and easy to hold thanks to the non-slip grip, even when my hands are cold and wet. When my hands are at their worst, these fishing pliers may be at their best.
I bought my first set of these pliers nearly two decades ago, and I still use them nearly every week to add or replace split rings and treble hooks. The only reason I added a second pair was that I needed some larger ones for my Amazon “choppers” and my big yellowfin tuna poppers. It’s a simple tool at a bargain price, and while others may be cheaper, none that I’ve tried have lasted as long. They open a split ring, no matter how stubborn, and hold it open as long as you want without degrading the tool or the hardware. In the long run, that means much more fish in the boat.
Simply put, what do you need your pliers to do, and what are you fishing for? Taking a tiny hook out of a bluegill is a far different task than preparing lures and rigs for marlin—no less specialized, but demanding different features and a different level of durability. In most cases, the simplest one-function tools are fine for that purpose, but if you want a single option that can acco*plish multiple things, you’ll likely pay for that convenience.
Depending on whether you’ll keep them in a sheath, in a pocket, or in a dedicated place on your boat, the size and shape of your pliers may be beneficial, or it may be problematic. Just ask the guy who sat down and put them through his newly-upholstered seat. Similarly, if you’re hiking, lightweight construction is critical. No matter your budget, no one likes to lose a valuable tool, but it’s particularly painful at the upper end of the price spectrum, so proper storage is key.
Exposure to moisture and the elements takes a toll on tools, and it’s particularly pronounced in the salt. If you’ve ever gone to unhook a deeply-hooked fish, or crimp a wire, or a cut a line, and found your pliers seized up and corroded, you’re realized that sometimes it’s possible to be pennywise and pound foolish. Similarly, if you can’t make a needed cut because your tool is too cheap, you might as well have bought nothing at all.
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Anglers need at least one pair of good pliers. They’ll allow you to modify tackle, remove hooks, and cut fishing line—all daily tasks on the water. The best fishing pliers for a lifetime of use are the Van Staal Pliers, but before you run out and spend $300, look over my other top picks and see which one best fits your specific needs.
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