Swapping out hooks on some crankbaits last night, I thought to myself , there has to be some better than these. 

For some reason I've been using the same pair of black handled 8 inch rapala pliers for about 4 seasons now. And I must say I really do hate them. 

The cutting edge has been terrible since day one,  and the split ring tip is next to useless. 

So I'd like to know what you guys are using,  as I'd like to upgrade.  Something mainly with a good cutting edge, split ring tip, yet long enough to get a hook out of a gut hooked bass. 

Thanks guys!

I have a pair of split ring pliers, Wally World kvd's. Braid cutter; a lighter.  Hook remover; rusty old neednose and a newer one. A few different tools for a few different jobs suits me well.  

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/-h2o-xpress-forza-75-aluminum-pliers#repChildCatid=599014

The tungsten cutting blades on these ones cut braid like butter. Made of aluminum too so they're not nearly as heavy as I was afraid they'd be. Only place they really lack is unhooking a smaller fish if it's hooked deep but that's not a common issue for me. 

Texas Tackle split ring pliers and any 7" needle-nose... I fish mostly barbless

 

oe

http://www.***.com/Buck_Knives_Splizzor/descpage-BUCKSP.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwry8BRDjsbjMpPSDvagBEiQA5oW0nDYmsUJd5cTmcZf5ZPXTHvb9WK_r_G_xBoQ3x6JNcooaAqE08P8HAQ

 

And a pair of forceps.

 

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/-h2o-xpress-forza-75-aluminum-pliers#repChildCatid=599014

The tungsten cutting blades on these ones cut braid like butter. Made of aluminum too so they're not nearly as heavy as I was afraid they'd be. Only place they really lack is unhooking a smaller fish if it's hooked deep but that's not a common issue for me. 

I got the Lew's version of these, and your right they cut braid with ease. A great pair off pliers.

I use Texas Tackle split ring pliers for my split rings, and a generic long reach needle nose plier to remove hooks from fish.  Also use a Boomerang Snip to cut line.  It might be tough finding one tool that does all three of those things well.

I use Gander Mountain's aluminum pliers with integrated braid cutter and Gerber's 600 series multi tool (it's made in USA).

Wow, reading all these and I just look over at my random needle nose pliers 

I have a pair of optimum baits alumnium pliers with split ring tips and carbide cutters.

 

Hate em.  Whats worse is that every brand uses the same base plier but repaint it and rename it.  Its very slick without gloves and the cutters dull and when you replace them its hard to align them properly. 

 

I use Texas Tackle split ring pliers for my split rings, and a generic long reach needle nose plier to remove hooks from fish.  Also use a Boomerang Snip to cut line.  It might be tough finding one tool that does all three of those things well.

Me too.....but my needle nose are more like hemostats than needle nose

I use a pair of the orange Texas Tackle split ring pliers, piece of crap Rapala needle nose (like yours) and a cheap pair of children's scissors from Walmart for cutting braid/line. More than I'd like to carry, but that's what works for me.

I carry the cheapest split ring pliers I could find (Cabelas brand $7.99) since i dint use them all that much along with some kids scissors for braid and a pair of Kobalt needle nose pliers that I had in my toolbox. 

I just use hemostats for hook removal and for split rings, my thumbnail. 

Generic needle nose pliers for the bass fishing bag and the 2x extended needle nose in the boat when toothy critters are around. For cutting line I carry a small pair of scissors from my fly tying box. For split rings I use a bps pair and some other generic pair, one is better but not sure which one is which at this point. 

17 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/-h2o-xpress-forza-75-aluminum-pliers#repChildCatid=599014

The tungsten cutting blades on these ones cut braid like butter. Made of aluminum too so they're not nearly as heavy as I was afraid they'd be. Only place they really lack is unhooking a smaller fish if it's hooked deep but that's not a common issue for me. 

I use these as well. Relatively cheap, cuts braid easily, lightweight and no issues with corrosion since they ate aluminum.  Only downside is they don't float, so don't drop them overboard 

@curtis9 Awesome avatar! 

 

As for the pliers, I have a cheap pair of dedicated Rapala split ring pliers that I have no complaints with and regular needle nose for most everything else.

I have a pair of Wilson split ring tweezers for my tackle work, Berkley longnose pliers and a hemostat for unhooking.

I use three different tools for the three tasks: hook removal, braid cutting, and split rings.

I never could find one tool that does it all as well as the individual tools, and I tried quite a few. 

11 hours ago, blckshirt98 said:

I use Texas Tackle split ring pliers for my split rings, and a generic long reach needle nose plier to remove hooks from fish.  Also use a Boomerang Snip to cut line.  It might be tough finding one tool that does all three of those things well.

Let's invent these and make some ???. Go ahead and do it, we'll split the money. I'll help with the paperwork, I promise. ?

 

Gerber 400 Compact Sport multi-tool. It does 90% of what I need to do when I'm fishing. The other 10% is handled by a pair of long forceps.

Tom

I only carry an old, but quality, pair of needlenose and a pair of Rapala scissors for the braid.

Texas Tackle split ring pliers for life.  

Boomerang cutter retractable is my fav for cutting line.  

Also for pliers/cutters I have two pairs of DeWalt compounds- both needle nose style and the side cutters.  They're KILLER pliers and cutters, and they were only $15 each.  (I have the ones on the left and the ones on the right) 

4 hours ago, Master Bait'r said:

Texas Tackle split ring pliers for life.  

Boomerang cutter retractable is my fav for cutting line.  

Also for pliers/cutters I have two pairs of DeWalt compounds- both needle nose style and the side cutters.  They're KILLER pliers and cutters, and they were only $15 each.  (I have the ones on the left and the ones on the right) 

Thanks for the heads-up on these.  I needed some new pliers for the boat tool kit and found the set of pliers you show above for just under thirty-five bucks, shipped!

Tight lines,

Bob