Fishing pliers is one of those items you don’t really need to go fishing until you do!  Having a good set of fishing pliers on you whenever your fishing can save a fishes life when practicing catch and release.  In worst case scenario pliers can save your life if you fall victim to a survival situation, or in a more likely scenario where you get a hook stuck through your hand.  Fishing pliers don’t have to be expensive or top of the line to be useful, but do you absolutely no good if you leave them home, or drop them overboard.  I choose the Tsunami 7.5 Ultra Strong fishing pliers by Bimini Outfitters for a number of reasons.  Most of all, they’re very affordable and I can’t drop them overboard if they’re attached to my body.

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So when shopping around for my next set of fishing pliers, I had a few specific items on the must have list.  I fish saltwater, and freshwater, from boats, kayaks, and shore.  Sometimes a good hike is involved, and sometimes a few beers are involved.  So here’s my must haves in a set of fishing pliers

• A way to attach them to a belt loop, kayak or my body. I’ve lost too many down trails and off boats.
• Something that will cut braid, hooks, mono, or rope. I need to be able to cut any sort of line.
• Spring loaded to assist in getting that fish off the hook fast.
• Corrosion resistance since I fish saltwater or in the rain occasionally.
• Had to be solid and durable.
• And I needed all that for a reasonable price.

The Tsunami Aluminum fishing pliers seemed to fit the bill for me.

Here’s the packaging, that’s lists all of its positive attributes.

• Replaceable Titanium coated Tungsten-carbide cutters
• Aircraft grade anodized aluminum construction
• Hand coiled tether
• Spring Loaded belt loop clasp
• Ergonomic grip handles
• Titanium coated stainless steel jaws
• Durable woven nylon belt holster

 

First off, these are a good looking set of fishing pliers.  They have a lanyard to attach to anything, or its included nylon holster.  When I first took it out of the package, I thought the holster would just pop right off my belt like my last one did, but they really won’t come off when you bend over or sit down with them on as long as you have a belt on.  They are not as secure just clipped to your pants, but I haven’t had them come off my belt yet.

The Tungsten cutters, cut through my 30lb braid no problem.  They cut all lines, including small rope like Para cord like butter.  I haven’t cut a hook but I have very little doubt that these couldn’t do the job just fine.

A few years back we were fishing from a crowded pier, and a huge seagull snagged someone’s bait out of midair on a cast.  This poor dumb bird got hooked straight through his beak and got his wings twisted in the line and fell straight into the water.  This is when you see people’s true nature.

The guy who caught the bird gently reeled him in to get him close.  My Wife’s uncle ran over, and they grabbed someone’s jacket and put it over the bird to calm him down.  I answered the call for pliers, and while someone held the bird, another grabbed his head, and my wife’s uncle squeezed those cruddy old dull pliers until the hook snapper and they could free the bird.  After all that, the dumb bird bit the guy and flew off.  At least 5 or 6 strangers rushed to the aid of this bird, with another 10 people off to the sides offering help.  That to me is what it is to be a fisherman.  Eventually you’ll need to put your pliers to the test.  Make sure they’re up to the job!

The lanyard it comes with is great.  It clips to my kayak, the holster, even a belt loop or backpack.  You’re not going to lose these overboard after a few beers, and you’re not going to drop them in the surf, or down the sandy trail you had to drag all you’re gear down to get to that fishing spot.

There’s only REAL drawback to these are the handles.  There is no cushion to them, so if you really need to squeeze, they’re gonna hurt, A LOT.  I tested this out on vacation a few weeks ago trying to fix my battered beach cart.  I needed to pry back some aluminum brackets, when I squeezed they were really doing a number on my paws.  An easy fix is probably as simple as a little electric tape, or hockey tape.

Another observation I had was (probably because I got the larger size 7.5” and not the 6.5”) that if you need to pinch a barb on a smaller sized hook to make a release, the hook is gonna want to turn out rather than bend the barb because of the jaws on these fishing pliers.  I managed to hold these at the right angle after a few tries, but had I been in the dark or in a different situation, I would have had to cut the line or the hook to get the fish back in the water.  I recommend you getting the size for the fishing you do most often.  I’ll probably end up getting a pair of the 6.5” for freshwater, and keep these in my plug bag.

The bottom line is for the money, these pliers are hard to beat.  I’ve dunked them in the ocean, been in the rain, put them away wet, and they function great.  They’re strong, and I bet they’ll be hanging on my hip for many years to come.

Click here to buy through Amazon an affiliate of ours, be sure to choose the size you want, 6.5” Tsunami TSALP Series Aluminum Pliers  or 7.5” Tsunami TSALP Series Aluminum Pliers