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Having a good pair of fishing pliers with you on a fishing trip can be an essential fishing tool, especially when it comes to cutting line.
We’ve probably all been in a situation where we could have done with the best fishing pliers and other tools to help us out. You know, like when you need to crush that barb to get your deeply embedded hook back? Most anglers have been there and agree that pliers are a great tool.
But there are a few things many anglers should think about when looking for the best fishing pliers.
What are the best fishing pliers? Are all pliers created equally?
Fishing Pliers Top Picks: At a Glance
- Van Staal 7” Titanium Fishing Pliers (best overall)
- Gerber Magniplier SaltRx Needlenose Pliers (best for saltwater)
- Plusinno 8-Inch Fishing Pliers (best split ring pliers)
We have put together this guide to help you learn a little more about the different features and how to choose the best fishing pliers.
Right, let’s start with the reviews…
15 Best Fishing Pliers Reviewed
1: Van Staal Titanium Fishing Pliers (best overall)
The Van Staal titanium fishing pliers can be one of the best fishing pliers out there. These are extremely durable fishing pliers that are built to last for many years, and a great addition to your fishing equipment. The cutters can also be replaced if they ever wear down.
These lightweight, durable pliers are crafted with precision bushings for smooth cutting and gripping that can stand the test of time. They can be ideal to use in all types of fishing environments, including saltwater, with rust-free materials making them the best titanium option.
They can be ideal to cut braided line and mono fishing lines. They even have a line-keeper feature that stops the line from slipping while you’re cutting.
These high-quality Van Staal pliers come with a premium leather sheath and a coil lanyard so you can keep them safe and attached to you or your gear. This makes them our top pick for the best fishing pliers and not ones you’d find in your average hardware store.
- Excellent corrosion-resistance
- Lightweight titanium
- Replaceable wire cutters
- Quality leather sheath
2: Gerber Magniplier SaltRx Needlenose Pliers (best for saltwater)
The Gerber Needlenose Pliers can be one of the best fishing pliers for saltwater fishing. These feature a SaltRx coating that provides corrosion resistance in even the most harsh saltwater conditions, unlike standard needle nose pliers you’d find in a hardware store.
These heavy duty fishing pliers are made from quality materials, with aluminum handles to keep weight low. They also come with a limited lifetime warranty.
A good feature of these needlenose pliers is the Bearhand Control handles, allowing you to use maximum force with better spacing between handles. You’ll also notice the trigger grip is slightly offset so that you can see what you’re doing without your hands getting in the way. This can also make it easier to avoid super sharp teeth.
The pliers have exchangeable and reversible carbide cutters, as well as replaceable outboard fasteners. The extended jaw tips let you get into the fish’s mouth easily to remove stubborn hooks – ideal for toothy fish. However, these are not split ring pliers so they’re probably not the best fishing pliers if you’re looking for a multi-tool. Learn more about split ring systems further below.
- Great saltwater pliers
- Exchangeable parts
- Lifetime warranty
- Easy to use
- No split ring function
3: Plusinno 8-Inch Fishing Pliers (best split ring pliers)
The Plusinno fishing pliers can be a good choice for fresh water fishing and one of the best fishing pliers with a split ring function. These split ring pliers are not only durable and lightweight, they also look good and come with a coiled lanyard and sheath.
They have gold-tone aluminum construction with a Teflon coating that gives extra strength (60 percent harder) and almost four times the bending power of standard aluminum ones.
The Plusinno fishing pliers are designed to be comfortable to hold, with ergonomic finger grooves and a traction grip for safe grip in wet conditions.
They’re built to be resistant to corrosion but can be best suited to freshwater, as they may not stand up to the harsh conditions of saltwater fishing, which could affect the pivot point mechanism.
These are designed as a multi-tool so can be used to build leaders, crimp split shot weights, and cinch knots. This makes them ideal for kayak fishing if you want to reduce the amount of tools in your kit and use split ring functions.
- Coiled lanyard
- Multi-tool functions
- Not great for saltwater
4: Bubba Blade 8.5” Fishing Pliers
These Bubba Blade fishing pliers have a spring loaded design, with side and line cutters and a split shot crimper tool. They are durable, with a titanium bonded coating and stainless steel construction for added strength. This can make them great for removing hooks from large fish species and a great tool for your fishing gear.
A great feature of this solid pair of Bubba Blade fishing pliers is that they have a comfortable, easy-to-hold non-slip grip, which can be useful when your hands are wet, unlike some other fishing pliers.
The 3.5-inch jaws are crafted with a corrosion resistant coating for use in saltwater applications.
These Bubba Blade pliers feature a lanyard hole so you can easily attach them to your fishing vest. They also come with a molded polymer sheath that can be attached to your belt safely and a locking mechanism to keep the pliers closed for safety.
- Non-slip grip
- Not split ring pliers
5: Danco Premio Titanium Pliers
The Danco Premio titanium pliers are not cheap but they are incredibly durable and strong. They are crafted from 100 percent machined titanium with a matte finish for a premium look and a comfortable grip.
The heavy duty titanium construction means they’re extremely lightweight. They feature an exclusive Super Halo Hinge for durability and ease of use. They also benefit from having replaceable cobalt-titanium side cutters so you don’t need to replace the entire set of pliers if the side cutter wears out.
These Danco pliers are compact, great for small fish, and come with a lifetime warranty so can be one of the best titanium pliers out there. They also have an elastic cord lanyard, with D-ring attachment. And, unlike other brands, like Booms Fishing, or KastKing, these pliers come with a premium leather sheath.
- Titanium pliers
- Leather sheath
6: KastKing Cutthroat Fishing Pliers
The KastKing Cutthroat Fishing Pliers are stainless steel fishing pliers that can be ideal for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. They are split ring pliers that also have added multi-tool functions and rust resistance.
These rust resistant pliers can let you tighten a knot by pulling on the hook. They can also let you crimp a split shot weight and cut all types of fishing line. The side-mounted anvil cutters are designed to let you cut your tag end as near to the knot as you want.
These are compact fishing pliers that can be useful for smaller fish and for opening small split rings. They’re not the best fishing pliers for large hooks or more toothy fish.
The Cutthroat pliers have serrated jaws for retrieving fishing hooks and the jaws are spring-loaded for easy use with one hand. For a comfortable grip even when wet, they have a rubber handle, which can be helpful when working with live bait or new hooks.
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- Compact for kayak fishing
- Rubber handle
- Not great for large fish
7: Manley Professional Saltwater Fishing Pliers
These top fishing pliers measure 7.5 inches long and are crafted from a lightweight aluminum stainless steel mix, which has a protective coating on the surface to help prevent rust and corrosion. So they’re designed for fishing in all types of water and can be a great terminal tackle addition. They can also be an ideal pair of pliers for removing most hooks from both small and big fish to get the job done.
The high quality handles are spring loaded and have a comfortable grip for your fingers. However, the grips on these quality fishing pliers are quite far apart which can be more difficult to get a firm grip, especially if you have small hands.
They are also designed to cut through any line, even cutting braid lines, with the help of the tungsten carbide cutters providing a sharp cutting edge. For added convenience, they even come with a protective sheath and a coiled lanyard.
- Corrosion resistant aluminum
- Tungsten carbide cutters
- Protective sheath included
- Not great for small hands
8: Piscifun Fishing Pliers
These 6.5-inch Piscifun pliers have spring handles with a non-slip rubber and plastic grip for extra comfort and ease of use. The pliers are made from titanium wrapped stainless steel to give added strength and durability against corrosion and rust. But they’re not designed for saltwater fishing.
The strong tungsten carbide cutters are designed to cut through all types of line and they can also be replaced. The frame is crafted with aircraft grade aluminum, which makes them lightweight and tough, offering good value at a reasonable price.
There’s also a split ring nose, which can help with hook removal and opening split rings. However, you might find that the fishing pliers become misaligned over time and off axis after using on tough treble hooks, which could affect the lip gripper function.
These stainless steel fishing pliers come with a nylon sheath and a coiled, retractable lanyard for better portability and convenience when you need it. These can be a good choice at an affordable price and are from a household name in value fishing tackle.
- Non-slip rubber grip
- Split ring tip for hook removal
- Durable titanium coating
- Not great for saltwater fishing
- Can lose alignment
9: P-Line Adaro 7.5-Inch Aluminum Pliers
These 7.5-inch Adaro pliers from P-Line are designed to stand up to saltwater environments and can be a good tool for fishing in a range of conditions and for removing different hook sizes. They have a straight nose and are crafted from machine cut aluminum with channel cut jaws, making them both lightweight and durable.
They feature tungsten cutters, designed to cut braid up to 500 pounds. They easily cut monofilament too. They also come with a protective pouch and a nylon lanyard, and they can be purchased in a range of colors.
However, the handles don’t have much grip on them, which could make them slippery when wet. You might also find them tricky to use if you’re trying to remove a stubborn hook quickly or if the fish is gut hooked.
- Ideal for saltwater fishing
- Great for braided line
- Protective pouch included
- Grip can be slippery to hold
- Not great for tough hook removal
10: Buck Knives 0030RDS Splizzors Fishing Multi-Tool
If you’re looking for a multi-functional tool then these Buck Knives fishing pliers could be ideal. They are durable and tough, made from corrosion resistant stainless steel with a comfortable Dynaflex rubber handle for excellent grip. However, these pliers might not be the best choice if you’re heading out to fish in saltwater.
The handle on these ones differ slightly from other ones in that they’re designed more like scissors, which could make certain tasks a little easier, having the sharp scissors built in, such as scraping off fish slime. They also have long needle nose tips for a deeper reach when removing hooks from a fish’s mouth and can be used to close split shots. These jaws can be useful for tying and untying tag ends or to replace treble hooks.
This pair of pliers benefits from having a large and small split shot crimping tool and a loop to attach a lanyard. Another feature of these pliers is the built-in bottle opener, making it all the more handy a tool when you’re out for a long day of fishing after you get the job done.
- Easy to use scissor-grip
- Multi-use tool
- Long nose and crimping jaws for easy hook removal
- Not great for saltwater fishing
11: MadBite Fishing Pliers
These pliers could be handy for fishing in low light environments or at night, as they come with a built-in LED light that directs a bright light towards the end of the pliers so it can be easier to cut line in the dark.
The 7.5-inch aluminum fishing pliers are built with anodized aircraft grade aluminum, so they’re lightweight as well as being built for strength and to resist rust and corrosion. However, you might find them a little cumbersome for intricate work or if you’re removing small hooks from a fish’s mouth.
The handles are spring loaded for ease of use and they have a non-slip silicone grip that’s comfortable to hold. They have a split ring feature for easily opening split rings and fishing lures, as well as tungsten carbide line cutters – ideal for cutting braided lines – and serrated jaws.
The convenience of the built-in light could make these a good choice for anyone looking to save space in the gear and could be particularly handy for kayak fishing at night. A nice feature is the lanyard hole for attaching them to your vest or gear bag with the included lanyard.
- Built-in LED light
- Lightweight aircraft grade aluminum construction
- Ideal for cutting braided line
- Might not be great for use on small hooks
12: Wolftop Saltwater Aluminum Pliers
These 7.2-inch Wolftop pliers are designed to handle both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Crafted from anodized aluminum, they’re built to withstand rust and corrosion but they’re also lightweight.
The jaws are made from coated stainless steel to give the tool reinforced protection against corrosion and the handles have been ergonomically designed for comfort and good grip. However, the handles can become slippery when wet because there’s no rubber coating for traction.
These aluminum fishing pliers also feature a line cutter for all types of fishing line and they come with a handy wire coiled lanyard and a protective sheath with a belt loop.
- Ideal for both saltwater and freshwater fishing
- Extremely light aluminum construction
- Protective sheath with belt loop
- No grip coating on handles
13: Lix&Rix Auto-open Rustproof Fishing Pliers
These 6.7-inch split ring fishing pliers could be a handy tool to have when you’re catching that prize fish, as they feature an automatic opening function with spring bearings on two sides so that you can get the pliers open with just one hand.
This can make them useful as fly fishing pliers or for kayak fishing where you may not have two free hands to work with when removing hooks from a fish’s throat. They’re also pretty compact, so they’re ideal for fitting in your tackle box.
They benefit from lightweight space grade anti corrosion aluminum handles that have been ergonomically designed for comfort during use. The jaws are crafted from stainless steel and there are also tungsten carbide line cutters for all types of lines and even hooks. They also feature a split ring tool at the tip for easy removal of fishing lures.
These angler pliers are designed for both freshwater and saltwater, so they’re built with corrosion resistant materials. They even come with a handy connecting lanyard, sheath with a belt loop and a soft storage pouch. But the sheath can be a tight fit for the pliers, meaning it can sometimes be difficult to get them out.
- One-handed automatic opening feature
- Eagle claw jaws
- Sheath and lanyard included
- Sheath is a tight fit
14: Cuda Titanium Alloy Pliers
These 7.25 inch Cuda pliers are made from highly durable titanium alloy, which helps to make them corrosion resistant while keeping them lightweight.
They are also built to withstand extreme temperatures, which can make them useful in many fishing conditions and can be ideal for either fresh or saltwater.
These titanium pliers feature tough tungsten carbide cutters to cut through steel leader, braided line, monofilament line and fluorocarbon fishing line and they also benefit from a comfort grip handle.
For added convenience this pair of fishing pliers come with a leather pouch and a handy lanyard so you can keep them attached to yourself or clip them onto your gear. But the lanyard may not hold up to much wear and tear, so it’s probably best not to rely on the lanyard alone.
- Comfort grip handle
- Ideal for freshwater and saltwater
- Ideal for cutting all types of fishing line
- Lanyard not the most durable
15: Penn Bull Nose Pliers
These 8 inch Penn fishing pliers are crafted with stainless steel for corrosion resistance but have the added durability of a black nickel titanium coating over the body and the jaws, which can also provide added strength. But if you’re frequently using them on tough hooks or with excessive grip to avoid sharp teeth, you might find the pliers loosen over time..
The pliers feature line cutters that can cut mono and braided line, with the benefit of the cutters being replaceable, for improved longevity of the pliers. They also feature knot cinching holes in the jaws.
The handles have been ergonomically designed so that they’re comfortable to hold and they also benefit from having a non-slip grip, which can be useful when handling wet fish. They can also be used in both fresh and saltwater environments.
- Replaceable cutters
- Built-in knot cinching holes
- Non-slip grip
- May become loose with too much pressure
Video: Picking Fishing Pliers
Fishing Pliers Materials
When you’re choosing your fishing pliers you will need to make sure they are suitable for both freshwater and saltwater, as well as having all the features you’ll need.
This is where the materials you choose can be important and where the best fishing pliers differ from other types of pliers, because they are generally being used in more corrosive environments compared to standard pliers being more suited to a dry environment.
The materials can be a main difference between standard pliers and fishing pliers, especially if you fish in a saltwater environment. But it can also be down to personal preference when buying fishing pliers.
When choosing fishing pliers stainless steel can be a good material, especially if you plan to fish in the Florida Keys. Many pliers will be made of stainless steel but you will need to ensure that the steel is coated in another material that will give it its resistance to rust and corrosion.
Often stainless steel will be coated with a titanium layer or a teflon coating, which will give it that extra durability for saltwater use. The best titanium pliers will generally be expensive.
Another durable material that you will find on some of the best fishing pliers is aluminum, which is often aircraft grade anodized aluminum that will help to protect the tool against corrosion while providing it with the strength for the job.
With pliers that have not been specifically designed for fishing, using them in a wet environment can prove disastrous for the pliers, as the water can cause them to rust. And if not dried properly, they can become fused shut, never to be of use again. If your last pair seized up then it could be down to the materials used.
So it’s important to choose anti-corrosion materials so the pliers don’t rust shut.
How To Choose Good Fishing Pliers
Most pliers for fishing will be super versatile, with the ability to cut all types of fishing lines, as well as being a crimping tool for making joins and having the ability to remove a hook. Some of the best fishing pliers may be marketed as multi tools, which can be useful for fishing equipment.
You will also find the best fishing pliers have spring loaded jaws or handles, for ease of use, which can be particularly important if you’re using them repetitively and frequently, as it will help lessen the chance of fatigue.
The nose length can be an important factor in your decision, as the longer and narrower the nose the more easily you might be able to remove deeper hooks. Because of this, long-nose or needle-nose pliers can often be a good choice for saltwater fishing or if you’re fishing for larger fish with sharp teeth and need to remove a hook.
Integrated side cutters can be useful on pliers if you need to cut hooks or strong wire but most fishing pliers will have line cutters on the side that can let you cut different types of line. However, you might find that some pliers may have both types of side cutters, for both hooks and fishing lines.
You may also find that some fishing pliers will have split rings with a small hooked end on the nose of the pliers, that can let you open a split ring more easily. A split ring tool can also be useful for removing hooks. Regular pliers may not have this feature.
One feature you will want to look out for on your best fishing pliers is the general portability and usability. Having lightweight pliers that are comfortable to hold will make your fishing trip a lot easier and they shouldn’t add too much weight to the rest of your gear.
Lightweight tools can be useful for fly fishing or kayak fishing, where you want to keep your gear to a minimum so you can keep everything within easy reach or on your person. Fly fishing pliers will often be able to clip onto a fishing vest, which can be a good thing to look for when you’re buying fishing pliers.
Choosing fly fishing pliers or other fishing pliers with a protective sheath and lanyard might also be a good idea, especially if you’re heading out fishing in a kayak or boat and need to keep them handy to remove a hook.
Having extra tools and functions, such as knives or lights can also be convenient if you want to pack light, as having a multi-use tool can reduce the number of items you need to take with you on your trip.