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Here is our best fishing pliers 2020 choice:
If a friend asked me for a recommendation on the best fishing pliers, I would advise him to get BITE Professional Aluminum Fishing Pliers without hesitation.
The 8“ pliers are the perfect combination of price and quality. Made of the highest quality anodized aluminum they will last for ages and you get all the features that both saltwater and freshwater fisherman could ever need.
When choosing the best gear for the job, inexperienced anglers often don’t pay much attention to buy the best fishing pliers out there. I’ve made the same mistake before. I’m not saying you should go and pay hundreds of dollars for a pair of pliers, but you should make sure that you get a high-quality tool. Just like with everything else.
With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of my favorite pliers that I’ve managed to find and try out myself. I hope that this extensive list where I compare price, quality, materials, extra features, etc. will help you choose the best fishing pliers for handling the catch.
Best fishing pliers 2020
Whether you are a saltwater or freshwater fisherman like me, I want to help you choose the best pliers for the purpose. You will find great low-end pliers, as well as more expensive, professional ones. I’ve listed my favorite one that I consider to be the best for that price.
However, I wanted to leave you with more options with different material, type or price range in mind. There are thousands of types made every year, both overpriced ones and shabby cheap ones that will break after two uses. With this list of best fishing pliers for 2018, I think that you can’t go wrong.
7. Booms Fishing H1 Stainless Steel Fishing Pliers
I’ll start with these H1 stainless steel fishing pliers in case you just want decent pliers for as little money as possible. These simple and lightweight pliers (6.5” x 3.6”) are the best-selling Booms Fishing product on Amazon with almost 500 positive reviews. They offer all the basic features that you may need for a fraction of the price.
At the end of the pliers, there’s a practical split ring opener, together with a hook remover just below. The pliers are also slightly curved for easier hook removal when working with tight places. This part will help you easily position a split shot lead as well. Moving to the narrow end, you get a sharp and simple line cutter as well as a wire or leader line cutter.
The pliers also come with a spring for easy handling and a safety lock, to keep the pliers shut when you want it. Even though the pliers are from stainless steel, I would recommend using it mainly in freshwater, as salt could corrode it without proper care. They can seem a bit clumsy if you have large hands, but these stainless steel fishing pliers are good enough for their price.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Extremely affordable
- Reputable seller
Cons
- Too small for bigger hands
- Not the best quality
6. Zitrades Aluminum Fishing Pliers
Being made of special deluxe aluminum, these saltwater fishing pliers are extremely durable and rust resistant. Of course, it will do them no harm if you use them in freshwater too. Designed with saltwater fishermen in mind, these aluminum pliers are one of the Zitrades’ best and top selling products.
With high-density skid-proof handle, these lightweight pliers are really easy to use. The sharp cutters are made of carbide and will easily cut through braided lines or steel wires.
The hook at the end of the pliers is perfect for split rings, allowing you to set up your lure with ease. The gripped part of these saltwater pliers is there for hook removal or split shot positioning. It’s also worth noting that these are made in Japan, one of the biggest fishing countries in the world.
Considering how many times I’ve lost my pliers, I found the holder to be a great addition. The belt loop with a lanyard will make sure that you always have your pliers with you.
Pros
- High-quality aluminum body
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Rust resistant
- Great for saltwater fishing
Cons
- Grip not completely firm
- Handles can be clumsy
5. Booms Fishing L1 Stainless Steel Fishing Pliers
Often called “the Swiss knife of pliers”, these versatile stainless steel fishing pliers are a great multi-tool for countless purposes.
Besides fishing, these foldable 13-in-1 pliers can be used for camping, hiking, hunting, and even some repair work too. Extra thickened stainless steel makes sure that all the tools will last and stay up to the task.
With the end of the pliers, you can open a split ring, remove a hook, position a split shot lead or grip smaller items. At the top of the grabbers, there’s a sharp cutter that can quickly chop a line or a wire. Now the handle is a toolbox itself, holding a can opener, screwdrivers, bottle opener saw, awl, knife, and a 3 side file.
All of these tools fit into the plastic handle when folded and can easily fit within the palm or a small pocket. The plastic is super sturdy and extremely rust-resistant, making these multi-tool pliers great for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Pros
- Variety of 13 different tools
- Compact and foldable
- Non-corroding and rust resistant
- Great for multiple occasions
Cons
- The size can be too small
4. Freehawk Multi-Function Stainless Steel Fishing Pliers
This 3-in-1 package of stainless steel fishing pliers, a nylon sheath, and a blue eyeglass cloth is another great budget option. Lightweight, effective and affordable, these blueFreehawk’smulti-function pliers will make any young angler happy.
The ergonomically molded handle is made for comfortable use and it comes with two practical, folding blades, one on each side. High quality, anti-corroding stainless steel makes it great for both saltwater and freshwater action.
You can split rings, remove hooks, cramp fishing plumbs and leads, or pick up and cut fishing lines with ease. The pliers are very compact (16.5 cm x 6 cm) and extremely lightweight (5.6 ounces), so anyone can use it anywhere.
You will also get a nylon sheath and an attachable holder, so you will not forget or use the pliers as I did with my favorite ones. They are really handy and great when on a budget, but they may require some maintenance in order not to rust or wear out.
Pros
- Affordable and practical
- Foldable blades
- Ergonomically molded handle
Cons
- Cutters not too sharp
- Can be too small
3. Booms Fishing X1 Aluminum Fishing Pliers
Booms Fishing is proving itself to be one of the best fishing pliers makers with another aluminum fishing pliers on this list. The X1 pliers are one of the best-selling saltwater pliers on the market and they don’t cost that much.
Made of high-quality anodized aluminum that doesn’t rust, this 7.7” long model will be a great support in your sea fishing adventures. Mounted with strong carbide cutters, they will cut with tough braided lines easily.
Longnose pliers will safely remove any hook and split rings with little difficulty. Besides that, you can firmly grip leads and sleeves, for smoother positioning and assembly. A spring-loaded handle enables effortless handling and a comfortable grip.
You also get a coiled lanyard and a nylon sheath so your pliers will stay with you at all times, and be there whenever you need them. These great saltwater fishing pliers can, of course, be used in freshwater too and are a really solid product for the price. Coming from a reputable seller, you will also get a guarantee for maximum satisfaction.
Pros
- Easy to carry and use
- High-quality line cutter
- Great for both freshwater and saltwater
Cons
- No lock available
2. Piscifun Aluminum Fishing Pliers
Another pair of great saltwater fishing pliers on the list, this time comes from Piscifun, a company that has specialized in making fishing equipment.
The pliers are made of aircraft-grade anodized aluminum, resistant to rust or corrosion that saltwater could cause. The handles are designed with several machine-cut handles to provide with both lightweight and sturdy and comfortable grip.
Titanium-coated jaws come with a split ring hook, crimps for leads and sleeves, and grips for lines or other small items. Two replicable carbide cutters are placed outside of the jaws for more practical and clean cutting of all sorts of lines.
This great model comes with a belt loop nylon sheath and a lanyard for quick and safe storage. The price might seem a bit higher than the rest, but these neatly designed pliers will last you a long time if used properly.
Pros
- Lightweight and corrosion resistant
- Ergonomic design
- Practical side cutters
Cons
- Not too strong
1. BITE Professional – Best Saltwater Fishing Pliers
From my experience, these are the best saltwater fishing pliers that you can find. It costs more than the other ones, but this price is still low considering how great a product you can get.
They passed great on all the points that I will mention later, and are one of the best-designed pliers out there. They are made of heat-treated anodized aluminum and CNC cut to an attractive and strong design.
Equipped with one of the sharpest carbide cutters out there, they will cut braided lines and the mono leaders like straws. The 8” long, saltwater pliers are 100% rust-resistant and are probably the last pliers that you will have to buy. Even the more expensive pliers struggle to keep up with these.
The pliers are spring-loaded and made with rubber grips on the handle for effortless and comfortable use. You get all the options you need, hook removal, split ring-opening, crimping, cutting, holding, there are event two holes at the bottom for better line handling.
The reputable Bite Fishing Tackle company stands behind these and offers a 5-year warranty on the pliers that even many professional fishermen use. The 4.7 rating on Amazon adds to the claim that these are one of the best saltwater fishing pliers on the market.
Pros
- 100% corrosion resistant
- Made of aircraft-grade aluminum
- Rubber grip handles
- 5-year guarantee
Cons
- The pliers struggle to pinch really thick items
Fishing Pliers Buying Guide
If you want to do further research and make a decision yourself, I’ll write down the most important things you need to check and look for
Materials–The pliers you choose will be wet most of the time, so it’s important that the material is highly rust-resistant. The safest bets are high-quality stainless steel or even better, aircraft-grade aluminum alloys. Most of the saltwater fishing pliers are made of aluminum since it withstands salt better.
Cutting options
If you want great pliers, line and side cutters are a must, everything additional is also nice but not that important. The line cutter should be sharp enough to cut all the lines without a fuss, especially strong braided ones, while the side cutter is crucial for wires. The safest way is to make sure blades are either titanium or carbide, but some stainless steel will work too. It is also neat if the blades are removable.
Nose length
There are basically two different common lengths, needle nose, and split ring pliers. The first ones are great for deep hook removals and are mostly used in saltwater fishing, while the others are stubbier and have a hook for split rings. If you fish a lot of different species I would recommend both, it all depends on what you are after the most.
Extra features
Every good tool should be comfortable and easy to use in different situations. That’s why your pliers need to be lightweight and handles need to be designed to comfortably fit in your hand. Some pliers also come with additional tools besides the basic ones that can also be useful at times.
I think that I got you covered enough to make a great choice. You know what and where to look for, and also you have a big enough list to choose from, regardless of your preferences. I’m confident that you will get the best fishing pliers for your money. Tight lines!
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