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Choosing the right fishing pliers can be a more complicated task than it seems at first glance. In today’s market, with so many different options, different features and materials help complicate this seemingly easy task.
The first question you should ask yourself is, what is my budget? Where are you going to use these pliers? And finally, what are the features you need to achieve your fishing goals?
There is such a diverse selection of pliers that it can be an interesting decision. It’s all too easy to end up owning multiple sets of pliers and swapping them out depending on what tasks you’re doing, where you’ll be fishing, and what your needs might be for any given trip.
If you are one of those anglers who does not enjoy just one type of fishing, this question becomes much more interesting. One day you could be fishing for tuna and other pelagics offshore, the next day chasing bass and stripers from a kayak, the next stalking shallow flats for redfish, or even a summer foray into a mountain meadow to fish for trout with fly. Each of these scenarios can really call for a very different fishing plier.
Here is a list of things to think about when selecting a pair of fishing pliers for such a diverse set of possible uses.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL: This is probably one of the first decisions you have to make about your new pliers. If you spend a lot of time fishing in saltwater, choosing a plier that is not made from non-corrosive materials or coated with something to inhibit rust will be a poor decision. With the proliferation of affordable but very high quality aluminum pliers, this step should be a piece of cake!
CHARACTERISTICS: This is an easy place to get buried in the brush, especially considering how densely packed many of today’s fishing pliers are with cool features. The questions that should be given greater relevance are these. Do you need side cutters? Do you need spring loaded handles? Should the jaws be smooth or serrated? Do you need a cover to hold them? And finally, do you need split ring openers?
JAWS LENGTH: This may seem silly at first glance, but it comes down to a few simple things. Are the fish you are targeting known for swallowing hooks where you might have to dig a lure deep from inside their mouth? And more importantly, does your quarry have sharp dentures? Saltwater almost always seems to require pliers with longer, pointier jaws!
USING YOUR PLIERS: This too may seem simple until you consider things like this. Using pliers to work on a boat deck, panfish with the kids, or rig bluewater rigs in preparation for your next foray into the high seas? Each of those scenarios requires a very different product.
BUDGET: How much do you have to spend? If you’re primarily freshwater fishing with the family, a fancy set of rigging tongs probably isn’t the place to invest your hard-earned cash. Conversely, if you’re mounting marlin lures on the back of a new Viking Sportfisher, cheap pegs aren’t the best option.
Here are some great options from Smith’s Consumer Products that meet the needs mentioned above:
CARBON FIBER FISHING PLIERS 6 1/2″ SMITH’S MR.CRAPPIE (51171)
Mr. Crappie® 6 ½” Needle Nose Pliers are made of durable nickel-plated carbon steel and feature over-molded non-slip handles with double-leaf springs, split-pull crimper, light-duty side cutters, lure setting tools for quick and easy adjustment. wear. These pliers are essential for any tackle box. Ideal for removing hooks, pinching and opening lead weights, tightening knots and straightening hooks.
MSRP: $11.99
SMITH’S LAWAIA PLIERS 6 1/2” STAINLESS STEEL (51173)
Smith’s Lawaia 6 ½” Needle Nose Pliers are made of durable 400 series stainless steel and feature over-molded non-slip grips/handles with double-leaf springs, split-pull crimper, light-duty side cutters, setting tools of lures for easy and quick use. These pliers are essential for any tackle box. Ideal for removing hooks, pinching and opening lead weights, tightening knots and straightening hooks.
MSRP: $16.99
SMITH’S REGAL RIVER ALUMINUM SPLIT RING PLIERS (50966)
Smith’s Regal River Aluminum Fishing Pliers are made from 6061 aluminum with stainless steel jaws. Pliers feature a diamond hook sharpener, fillet knife sharpening slot, split-pull crimper, side cutters, and incorporate a coil spring for quick and easy use. It comes with a belt clip holster and a coiled strap.
MSRP: $72.99
SMITH’S REGAL RIVER 8 1/2″ NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS (51289)
Smith’s Regal River 8.5″ Needle Nose Pliers are made of durable nickel-plated carbon steel and feature over-molded non-slip handles with dual-leaf springs, light-duty side cutters, lure setting tools for quick and easy use . These pliers are essential for any tackle box. Ideal for removing hooks, pinching and opening lead weights, tightening knots and straightening hooks.
MSRP: $16.99
SMITH’S LOCKING ALUMINUM FISHING PLIERS (51300)
Smith’s Anodized Aluminum Locking Pliers are designed for use in both saltwater and freshwater without rusting. The spring-loaded, lightweight, ergonomic design makes them perfect for those situations where your hands are tired. The spring loaded design makes them easy to operate with one hand. In addition to the lightweight design, the handles are equipped with a built-in carabiner for quick connections to your belt or loop, so you can keep it close at all times. Needle-nose design jaws are equipped with carbide line cutters and split-shot crimpers.
MSRP: $28.99
SMITH’S ALUMINUM FISHING PLIERS WITH RINGS (51301)
Introducing Smith’s Anodized Aluminum Locking Pliers with a Split Ring. Like Smith’s aluminum locking pliers, these pliers are designed to be used in both saltwater and freshwater without rusting. The spring-loaded, lightweight, ergonomic design makes them perfect for those situations where your hands are tired. The spring loaded design makes them easy to operate with one hand. In addition to the lightweight design, the handles are equipped with a built-in carabiner for quick connections to your belt or loop so you can keep it close at all times. Needle-nose design jaws are equipped with carbide line cutters and split-shot crimpers.
MSRP: $28.99
ABOUT SMITH CONSUMER PRODUCTS:
Smith’s Consumer Products is an Arkansas-based company that traces its history back to 1886. Smith’s produces the broadest line of knife and scissor sharpeners available, ranging from simple fixed-angle sharpeners for consumers who want quick and easy sharpening to sophisticated precision kits. Designed for the knife sharpening enthusiast. Our offering includes manual and electric sharpeners that incorporate many different abrasive materials, including diamond, carbide, ceramic, bonded synthetic abrasives, and of course, Arkansas natural stone. Smith’s Consumer Products Edge Experts also design and manufacture a wide range of tools for the outdoor enthusiast, as well as knives for everyday carry, tactical, shop, kitchen, hunting and fishing needs.