Tackle your first fishing trip with confidence using the right fishing tools. Learn how fish grips, line cutters, pliers and hook removers make fishing easier.

Starting out in fishing means stepping into a strange new world filled with tangled lines, slippery catches, and gear that sometimes looks like it came from a space mission. With the right tools, though, you’re already halfway to looking like you know what you're doing — even if you still call half your gear a “thingy”.

This guide focuses on a few essential fishing tools every angler should carry: Fish Grips, Line Cutters & Pliers, along with other helpful tools like Hook Removers, Hook Sharpeners, Knot Tying, Fish Measuring, and Leader Crimps. These aren’t just shiny accessories for your tackle box — they make fishing safer, easier, and a lot less frustrating.

Let’s dive in — minus the splash.

Fish Grips: Handle With Care (and Confidence)

Ever tried holding a flapping fish with wet hands while your mate films you? It’s like wrestling a buttered eel. Fish grips are the safe and controlled way to manage your catch without a fishy face slap.

When You’ll Need Them

• You’ve caught something bigger than a goldfish
• You’re practising catch-and-release and want the fish to survive the ordeal
• You like your thumbs unperforated

Why They’re a Game-Changer

Fish grips clamp onto the fish’s lower lip without causing damage. They’re especially useful with toothy, slimy, or surprisingly strong fish that are difficult to hold.

Many anglers use fish grips when unhooking fish, taking photos, or measuring their catch. They help keep control while reducing stress on the fish and protecting your fingers from sharp teeth or hooks.

What to Look For

• Material: Stainless steel or durable corrosion-resistant plastic
• Grip: Non-slip handles for wet hands
• Locking Mechanism: Secure clamp that holds steady while the fish moves

Some models also include a built-in scale so you can weigh your catch before telling the story later. Just remember: “fish stories” are fine, but facts with proof are funnier.

Line Cutters & Pliers: The Workhorses of Your Tackle Box

If you’re still using your teeth to cut fishing line, it’s time to stop. Your dentist didn’t train for eight years so you could gnaw through braided line like a feral seagull.

Line Cutters & Pliers are some of the most useful tools anglers carry. They help cut line cleanly, remove hooks safely, and handle small tackle components without damaging your gear.

Why They’re Essential

Clean cuts are important when tying knots or changing rigs. Frayed line weakens knots and increases the chance of losing fish.

Fishing pliers also make it much easier to remove hooks, open split rings when changing lures, and grip small parts when building rigs.

What to Look For

• Sharp Cutting Blades: For braid, fluorocarbon, and monofilament
• Corrosion Resistance: Saltwater can quickly damage cheap tools
• Ergonomic Grip: Comfortable even when hands are wet
• Spring-Loaded Action: Allows one-handed use when handling fish

A good pair of fishing pliers can handle hook removal, lure changes, and small rig adjustments, making them one of the most versatile tools you’ll carry.

Hook Removers: Safer Hook Removal

Hooks don’t always come out easily, especially when fish swallow them deeply. Hook Removers allow anglers to safely remove hooks without putting fingers near sharp points or damaging the fish.

These tools are especially helpful for catch-and-release fishing, where minimising handling time helps fish recover quickly.

Hook removers are lightweight, simple to use, and often easier than using pliers for deeply set hooks.

Hook Sharpeners: Keep Hooks Razor Sharp

Sharp hooks catch more fish. Over time, hooks can become dull after hitting rocks, sand, or the bottom.

Hook Sharpeners allow anglers to quickly restore the sharp point of a hook, improving hook-up rates and making it easier for the hook to penetrate when a fish strikes.

A few quick strokes with a hook sharpener can make the difference between a missed strike and a solid hook-up.

Knot Tying Tools: Perfect Knots Every Time

Fishing knots can be tricky, especially with light line, cold hands, or low light conditions.

Knot Tying tools help anglers tie consistent, reliable knots when attaching hooks, swivels, or lures. They’re particularly useful when tying smaller knots that require precision.

While experienced anglers often tie knots by hand, knot tying tools can make the process faster and more consistent.

Fish Measuring Tools: Know Your Catch

Whether you’re checking legal size limits or recording a personal best, Fish Measuring tools make it easy to measure your catch accurately.

Measuring boards, tapes, and fish rulers help anglers quickly confirm whether a fish meets size regulations before deciding to keep it or release it.

They’re also useful when documenting catches for fishing competitions or personal records.

Leader Crimps: Building Strong Rigs

When building heavier leader rigs, especially for stronger fish, knots aren’t always the best solution. Leader Crimps provide a strong and reliable way to secure leader material.

Crimping sleeves combined with crimping pliers create solid connections between leader lines, swivels, and hooks. Many anglers use them when setting up heavy leaders or specialised rigs.

They’re small components, but they play an important role in strong fishing setups.

A Beginner’s Guide to Using Fishing Tools

Buying the tools is the easy part. Knowing how to use them properly makes fishing smoother and safer.

• Keep tools accessible – clip them to your vest or tackle bag so you’re not digging through gear when a fish bites
• Practice at home – try using your tools before your first trip
• Clean after use – rinse tools with fresh water to prevent rust
• Use the right tool for the job – pliers, cutters, and removers each have a purpose

Having the right tools nearby saves time, prevents frustration, and keeps your gear organised.

Wrap Up: The Small Tools That Make Fishing Easier

Fishing is part skill, part patience, and part pretending you meant to cast into that tree.

The good news is that with a few essential fishing tools — Fish Grips, Line Cutters & Pliers, Hook Removers, Hook Sharpeners, Knot Tying tools, Fish Measuring tools, and Leader Crimps — you’ll spend less time fighting your gear and more time enjoying the water.

At HOOK LINE SINKER, our fishing tools collections include practical gear designed to make rigging, fish handling, and tackle setup easier. From braid cutters and multi-function pliers to fish grips and hook sharpeners, the right tools help keep your fingers safe and your fishing setup running smoothly.

Snip, grip, and happy fishing.