Kayak angler here. What recommendations do y'all have for pliers and fish grips, nets etc

Storage options if applicable

Thank you in advance

Tight Lines

I carry the same needle nose and Kastking braid scissors I do when bank fishing and I grabbed a Promar net with a 3' handle to use on the kayak.

Pliers I use the cheapest Harbor Freight one, they sink as fast as the 300$ ones.

Those are mostly used in the salt, freshwater a pair of hemostats works for me.

Fish grips I've been using the Berkeley Big Game one's for over 20 years, many guys I know use the plastic fish grips without any issues.

I don't bring a net with me in the fresh, only fluke fishing in the salt.

Storage is just a milk crate behind my seat with a 3 rod holder, dry bag in my front hatch for some dry clothes and other emergency items (roll of TP)

regardless of the tools chosen, I highly recommend the WS tool system. It bungees to the front of your seat around your calves so that your tools are right there when you are sitting down. I would carry a wacky tool and dye marker on the end, pliers and scissors in the middle, and a scale in the biggest one (it fit well enough). I had clippers on a retractable lanyard clipped to the orange strap and tucked them into a pocket for travel. For me, it was a perfect fit system.

Tools wise, I listed what tools I carried and where. For the specifics, fiscar sewing scissors for braid, cheap 3 for $5 nail clippers from the drug store, and an old pair of needle nose pliers that I've had for fishing forever. I don't use fish grips for landing fish, I only have the grips that are on the end of the scale. I went with the folding yakattack leverage net in the bigger size with the rubber netting. When I sold the kayak I kept that net as it works great from the boat to net fish either sitting in the drivers seat or kneeling on the deck. Faster and safer than trying to lip a bigger one.

Ok great ideas thank you folks

Make sure the tackle boxes you go with are high quality and waterproof. I always found myself and my gear pretty wet after a day in the kayak.

After dropping a good set of pliers overboard I’ve been using tackle warehouse aluminum 71/2”, no problems encountered other the the cutters don’t last, neither did the ones on the expensive pliers.

I’ve been using an Ego net for a long time. Had to replace the net maybe 5 years ago as the rubber doesn’t last forever, easy job. It gets a bit small around 5 lbs but still does the job.

I fish from a canoe some. Carry a leaterhman on my belt, needlenose pliers, small scissors and side cutters with my gear. Swiss Army knife in one pocket a one hand opening knife "SWiss Tech" from Wally world in the other. Thats a sharp, smooth, tight knife.

I have an inflatable to use on ponds and places that dont allow gas motors where I live, my buddy and I can fit comfortably on lawn chairs. I've had the same pair of Eagle Claw needle nose pliers for as long as I can remember, as long as I have a pair of needle noses Im good. I also have to have scissors when I fish, I use mono and may retie quite a bit. I bring a plastic lure box with the clamps instead of a whole tackle box to save space. I also use a dumbell with rope for an anchor. And a cooler for drinks and snacks and if I keep fish to eat. Theres a plastic pouch on the inflatable to keep stiff in but I dont use it

I had some amazing titanium pliers, I threw them in the water instead of the fish. No more of those, I'm on either the tackle warehouse 3.99 special, or 6th sense for long nose pliers.

Rapala for the fish gripper. Plastic, $10, works great.

I do keep threatening to get a boga grip with scale though.

As you can see from the posts above, tools are easily lost overboard. Whatever tools, or cameras you have. Be sure to tie them down whenever you can. I have retractors on almost everything I can drop, especially if they are expensive.

28 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I have retractors on almost everything I can drop,

I use these 'badge holders' for mine. You can clip them to belt-loops or D-Rings or directly to your belt.

This pic you can see my scissors and a pair of pliers dangling from my belt.

Long nose pliers, braid scissors, sharp knife, and Rapala fish grippers are stored in the built in cutout spaces in my AP. As for the net, I use the ForEverlast Inc. Generation 2 Floating Landing Net.

I have a YakAttack crate which hold a scale speed bags full of plastics, and occasionally an additional tackle tray. Next to my seat is an area that holds four tackle trays.

I'm going to suggest one more item that most people forget about. Get yourself a whistle an attach it to your PFD.

I definitely need to get some tethers. I see a lot of lost items if I don't lol

I got rid of the tether for the pliers, they are always wrapped around something when I need them. I do however use one on my nippers, those would get misplaced being so small. One of the trade offs working in tight quarters.

My wife made me this tool holder. It fits just below my knee.

2 hours ago, Jig Man said:

My wife made me this tool holder. It fits just below my knee.

That's a great idea

I use Piscifun aluminum split ring pliers with a cutter. Very rugged, cheap, and last forever. The split ring remover comes handy when needed. Whatever pliers you get, make sure you use a lanyard. Net is YakAttack leverage net. Lands then all the time! Storage is a Native Watercraft seat back tackle box storage. Front seat is a YakGear front seat storage pack. About it. Keep it simple.

On 2/27/2026 at 9:13 PM, txchaser said:

I had some amazing titanium pliers, I threw them in the water instead of the fish.

I've witnessed that once.

Just look for floating tools. These are a couple of samples of what I have for when I am using a float tube.

On 3/1/2026 at 3:17 PM, scaleface said:

I've witnessed that once.

Unrelated to fishing but the concept is similar..... While at the cemetery during my grandmother's burial, instead of tossing roses she was carrying, my aunt tossed her car keys into the grave. Guess who had to retrieve them.....

I would like to have seen that insurance claim

Whatever tools you choose to purchase, leash them. It's cheap insurance even if you have inexpensive tools. Unleashed, it doesn't matter if a $200 or a $2 pair of pliers is sitting on the bottom of the lake. You still don't have a pair of pliers.

Anything worth anything is leashed on my yaks (difficult to see in the photo). Rod, net, pliers,fish grips, paddle

Personally, I gravitate to higher end tools because they tend to last longer and are less prone to failure.

I love your post and do agree with a lot of what you said.

I added a magnet to my vest. My pliers attach to that, but they're tethered too and there's a second pair tethered to my canoe and kayak.

I buy nets like some bassnuts buy lures. I do like the YakAttack net, but I also use a bigger one. I wish I could remember the manufacturer.