When it's right out of the mold, get your pliers and hold the hook. in a sweeping motion hit the nipple on the table. It flies right off. Leaves a little indent but it's easier then filing. It it doesnt work then i use the snips.
take a reg. pr of wire cutters[7"] and grind the back side down till you hit where the cutting edge meets....this will give you the best pr. of flush cutters for any lead cutting you need when pouring jigs/weights/tail weights etc.....it'll cut so clean you won't need to do a thing to it.