Looking for a recommendation please! Prefer something quality, preferably made in Japan. I have a pair of Cuda 5" but looking for something better quality. I checked all the typical JDM sites and the best I could find were the Owner GP01.

Thoughts?

P

I don’t have any JDM pliers, but the ones I prefer are from Bubba.

I'm a fan of the Texas Tackle pliers. They make a few different sizes.

Texas Tackle.

I like the Gamakatsu micro split ring pliers. :

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Micro_Split_Ring_Plier/descpage-GMSRP.html?from=basres

Pitbull split ring pliers are a little different design and work for me down to size 2 rings.

https://pitbulltackle.com/pitbull-tackle-split-ring-plier/

A-Jay

I watched a jewelry maker at a fair once. she was using some very good split ring pliers. very nimble versions. I googled them and thought about buying a pair. I still might. the point is finer. similar to these. as my eyesight gets "older", I just want them to work right away, and not make me fiddle-F around fighting the tools and ring.

Anybody use these ?

16 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I'm a fan of the Texas Tackle pliers. They make a few different sizes.

16 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I'm a fan of the Texas Tackle pliers. They make a few different sizes.

Same here!!! Been using them for a while. I got the orange color size which is the standard size. They got 2 sizes bigger and 1 size smaller.

16 hours ago, MontanaBasser said:

I like the Gamakatsu micro split ring pliers. :

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Micro_Split_Ring_Plier/descpage-GMSRP.html?from=basres

These are by far the best I have found as well.

X4 Texas Tackle in the smaller size 4.25" long all stainless steel.

3 hours ago, Reel said:

Anybody use these ?

I do like their hooks, I'll have a look for these :)

Thanks for the feedback everyone, the Owner Owner GP01 seem to be the one that the japanese tackle makers use. They have a patented tip that looks very easy to use. I'm going to order one the next time i place an order with Digitaka.

For now tho, i'm going to see if I can find one of your recommendations locally. I'm upgrading/replacing some hooks this winter.

Owner GP-01

23 hours ago, Reel said:

Anybody use these ?

I got a similar pair from japanlureshop, I think they're Valley Hill brand. Haven't used them much, but they work fine

Xuron brand. Look exactly like Darth Baiter's pic. Made in USA. Will do the smallest to largest split rings.

On 1/14/2026 at 12:13 PM, little giant said:

Xuron brand. Look exactly like Darth Baiter's pic. Made in USA. Will do the smallest to largest split rings.

I just fought some crank baits. half of the problem was I was wearing an older pair of glasses. the other half was my junk pliers. I just ordered my own Xurons.

since I am moving into salt water jigging, I seem to always be into a split ring. not to mention constantly changing hooks on my vision 110's. enough is enough. the Xurons were less than $20.

Those Xuron look great.

I like my Texas Tackle pliers, but admit that the 'hook jaw' would work better if skinnier, even for larger split rings. Probably would risk durability, though.

These are the ones I use. Xuron - Xuron - 496 Split Ring Pliers - 496

Wow. So easy. The Xurons are easy.

The Xuron's are the best I've ever used. No messing around with positioning the ring in the pliers with your fingers. Just pick the ring up with them off the bench top and put it on a hook 👍🏼

......Texas Tackle....

For small split rings: After being annoyed by this problem for too long I am very happy with the solution I came up with. I decided not to buy another tool but instead I grinded down the bottom jaw of my Texas Tackle small (yellow) pliers. Now I have both the benefit of their split ring wedge and less crowding inside the split ring (with the hook and the bait anchor). I wanted to be sure not to grind off too much so I gently used a Dremel with grinding stone attachment. I only took off some material on the bottom and sides of the lower jaw. It was immediately easy (dam near pleasurable) to swap out #1 split rings and size 12 hooks. And it didn't cost anything. Hope this helps.