Tackle your first fishing trip with confidence (and all ten fingers) using the right gear from the start.
Starting out in fishing means embracing a strange new world filled with tangled lines, slippery catches, and gear that looks like it came from a space mission. But with the right tools, you’re halfway to looking like you know what you’re doing—even if you still call everything a “thingy.”
That’s why this blog is all about three humble but heroic tools: fish lip grips, fishing line cutters, and fishing pliers. These aren’t just shiny accessories for your tackle box—they're sanity-savers, fish-friendlies, and finger-preservers.
Let’s dive in—minus the splash.
Fish Lip Grips: Handle With Care (and Confidence)
Ever tried to hold a flapping fish with wet hands while your mate films you? It's like wrestling a buttered eel. Enter: fish lip grips —the humane, non-slip solution to managing your catch without a fishy face slap.
When You’ll Need Them:
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You’ve caught something bigger than a goldfish.
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You’re practising catch-and-release and want the fish to survive the ordeal.
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You like your thumbs unperforated.
Why They’re a Game-Changer:
Fish lip grips clamp onto the fish’s lower lip without causing damage. They’re especially handy with toothy, slimy, or surprisingly strong fish (yes, some of them do punch above their weight).
Some come with built-in scales, so you can weigh your fish and brag accurately. Just remember: “fish stories” are fine, but facts with proof are funnier.
What to Look For:
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Material: Stainless steel or high-grade plastic—no rust, no drama.
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Grip: Non-slip handles for those classic wet hands moments.
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Locking Mechanism: A secure clamp that doesn’t slip when your fish does its interpretive dance.
Funny Fact: A fish called the slimehead was renamed "orange roughy" because marketers realised no one wanted to eat something called slimehead. Branding matters—even underwater.
Fishing Line Cutters: Because Chewing Through Braid is Not a Skill
If you’re still using your teeth to cut fishing line, stop. Your dentist didn’t train for eight years so you could gnaw through 20lb braid like a feral seagull. Fishing line cutters are purpose-built for the job—small, sharp, and safe.
When You’ll Need Them:
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Your lure’s tangled and your line's a bird’s nest.
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You’re changing rigs faster than a fashion blogger changes outfits.
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You want your knots to hold (frayed line = weak knot = fish swims off laughing).
Key Benefits:
Fishing line cutters snip through monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braided line with zero fuss. Unlike scissors, they don’t jam. Unlike knives, they don’t stab your leg when you forget where you put them.
Features to Look For:
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Sharpness: Clean cuts are essential—no fraying allowed.
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Size: Compact enough for your tackle box but not so small you drop them overboard.
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Corrosion Resistance: Saltwater and rust are best friends. Pick cutters that say, “Not today.”
Funny Fact: In a 2015 fishing tournament, a guy lost first place because he couldn’t untangle his line in time. Had he used line cutters, he might be on a boat somewhere right now—not on Reddit.
Fishing Pliers: The Swiss Army Knife of Angling
Let’s get one thing straight: fishing pliers aren’t your dad’s rusty garage tools. These are multi-use masterpieces that deserve your respect—and a VIP spot in your tackle setup.
When You’ll Need Them:
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The hook is lodged somewhere awkward. (Think “near eyeball” awkward.)
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You’re using split rings and don’t have fingernails of steel.
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You want one tool that can crimp, cut, bend, and grip.
Top Features:
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Hook Removal: Save your fingers and the fish. Pliers = less drama.
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Cutting Blades: Many models include side cutters for line or even wire.
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Split Ring Tool: Opens those annoying rings so you don’t lose a fingernail.
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Crimper: For securing leads, sleeves, or anything else small and cylindrical.
Materials to Trust:
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Stainless Steel or Aluminium: Light, strong, and saltwater-proof.
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Ergonomic Grip: Because everything’s slippery when you’re excited.
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Spring-Loaded: So they open back up on their own—helpful when you’re holding a fish with your other hand.
Funny Fact: Some pliers include a bottle opener because even fishing gear knows when it’s beer o’clock.
A Beginner’s Guide to Using These Tools (Without Looking Silly)
You’ve bought the gear—now what? Don’t worry, we’ve all been the person who tries to use a fish grip backwards. Here’s how to avoid embarrassment (and maybe a fish slap):
Practice at Home:
Test out your tools in the sink. Grip a carrot with your lip gripper. Cut a shoelace with your line cutter. It’s weird, but it helps.
Know Where They Are:
Keep tools accessible. Clip them to your vest or belt. Fishing is hard enough without rummaging through a tackle box like it’s your junk drawer.
Clean and Dry:
Rust doesn’t sleep. Rinse your tools with freshwater and dry them after each use, especially if you fish in the sea.
Don’t Be a Hero:
If a hook’s lodged deep, don’t play vet. Cut the line and let the fish go—many survive and forgive you later. Probably.
Let’s Talk Tackle Etiquette
Here’s the unwritten rule of fishing: everyone wants to look like they know what they’re doing, even if they’re Googling “how to hold fish” under the table.
Having the right tools is the quickest shortcut to competence. And confidence. And fewer emergency room visits.
Just remember:
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Line cutters save fingers.
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Fish lip grips save fish.
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Pliers save everything else.
Wrap It Up: Tools That (Literally) Keep You Hooked
Fishing is 10% skill, 20% gear, and 70% pretending you meant to cast into that tree. The good news? With just a few essential tools—fish lip grips, line cutters, and pliers—you’re already ahead of the curve.
They don’t just make your life easier—they make you look like you might know what you’re doing. Which, let’s be honest, is half the battle.
So load up your tackle box, grab your snacks, and get ready to yell “Got one!” a bit too early. You’re officially equipped to fish like a pro—even if you’re still working on the catching part.
At HOOK LINE SINKER, our LINE CUTTERS & PLIERS collection is packed with sharp gear and smooth solutions. From braid scissors to multi-function pliers and secure fish grips, you’ll find exactly what you need to keep your fingers safe and your hooks under control.
Snip, grip, and happy fishing! 🎣
