Fishing plier recommendation

[numbskull]

Anybody handled these new Sargent pliers. Cabela's has then for about 50 bucks. Basspro has some chinese knockoff for about 1/2 that.

Right now I use the $12 rapala ss pliers and think they are great (rip out the plastic spring clip). Rapala also makes $22 version with carbide cutters.

[saltfly]

Originally Posted by MAKAI

Being an electrician, my pals all inherit my klein needle nose, bullet proof. My own have been in use 25 years, still work just fine a little lube once and a while.

Ditto and Double Ditto to the OSJL

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

$3 needlenose from Job Lot. Had the set in my canal bag for over 3 years now (only reason I replaced my last pair was because I lost them). Zap some WD40 on them once a week and they open/close easily.

...Not to mention I keep a pair in my surf bag, the boat bag, canal bag, my truck and 2 pairs at home.

Way more things I need to spend money on than $250 pliers or a $250 Boga.

Yep

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

OSJL needle nose $1.99
Channellock nippers that will cut any hook $ 10
WD-40 for maintenence $2
You guys throw money around like drunken sailors...

Yep

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Anybody handled these new Sargent pliers. Cabela's has then for about 50 bucks. Basspro has some chinese knockoff for about 1/2 that.

Right now I use the $12 rapala ss pliers and think they are great (rip out the plastic spring clip). Rapala also makes $22 version with carbide cutters.

The sargents are'nt made in china?
I have had fair luck with similar pliers, they work fine as long as you don't try to use them to cut vmcs for all your plugs.
I carry a pair of calcuttas currently and have not had to use them for that
I have a pair or two of cheap needlenose with no lanyard also, I will even let other people use them.

[Adam_777]

I stuff a pair of side cutters inside my bag between the inserts and the bag for cutting hooks.My pliers are for removing hooks from fish and cutting line if I need to.

[freebie]

I picked up a pair of berkely tec pliers at Raynham flew market for $15 a few weeks ago. didn't really need new pliers as my brownings are still kicking after 3 seasons and very little maintenance but bought them anyhow. they are light, cut braid very well. will post back here after using them for a season on how they hold up.

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by BigFish

I do have the VS and its the best $250.00 (bought 6 years ago?) I have spent on any one piece of fishing equipment by far! While my plier spending stops at $250.00 (they will last my lifetime) you $25 a pair guys will far exceed the cost of a pair of VS in just a few years.....penny wise and pound foolish! It is the single most important piece of equipment you carry when fishing! Just my .02 cents!

Really? you think so? Lets see 250/25 = 10...

If a pair lasts me 2 years, thats 20 years for $250. I think that will last me.

Oh, how much to replace the VS if/when they go into the soup?

DOn't get me wrong, spend your $$$ how you wish, but economicaly, the argument doesn't work.


BTW, I use $2 Job lot pliars that and a can of wd40 lasts me quite a while. I figure at least 125 years for $250...

[chrisjoe13]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

Really? you think so? Lets see 250/25 = 10...

If a pair lasts me 2 years, thats 20 years for $250. I think that will last me.

Oh, how much to replace the VS if/when they go into the soup?

DOn't get me wrong, spend your $$$ how you wish, but economicaly, the argument doesn't work.


BTW, I use $2 Job lot pliars that and a can of wd40 lasts me quite a while. I figure at least 125 years for $250...

Economically, the argument does work (as long as one continues fishing to the ripe old age of about 140!)

[massgc]

I'm in with the Manley's - 5 years, going strong

[Rockport24]

I have these made by Ross reels, 3 seasons with them and they still work great with zero maintenance
I think you can get them at ll bean now (around $130)

Cabelas also has an alluminum pair for like $26 right now, which sounds like a good deal.

[ThrowingTimber]

Ross, I've been a fan of the doctor slicks they hold up well and arent over priced.

Originally Posted by t.orlando

I use the Brownings, good pliers, but the sheath sucks

Tony, JiggingMaster makes a killer plier sheath for under 10$. Kilsong, carries them in his shop you can google search jig and pop and you should get a return for his store.

[Casting Z's]

VS pliers will not cut a VMC hooks but it will cut the swivel, the line, the thru wiring of any plug and possibly the hook eye. Bolt cutters in the truck, cut hooks.
I didn't buy my VS pliers to cut hooks but rather to cut braid, trim knots and remove hooks from thrashing fish.
Best 200 buck ever spent and if I loose them, I'll buy another pair.
I work with tools all day long, remodeling homes. I have bought every tool needed, four times over, going mid road quality.
Now I purchase only the best at any cost. They last longer and hold resale value.
I you bought a pair of VS pliers for $200, used them for four years, (providing you didn't try to cut hooks with them) what would you think you could sell them for?
I'll get most my 200 bucks back. Money in the bank!

[capequahog]

VS pffft

Donmar Checkpoint titanium plier, $320, cuts up to #19 wire and wire up to 180lbs whatever that means, and" cleanly cuts braid and woven wire no frays"

damn put me down for two pair

[piemma]

"Bolt cutters in the truck, cut hooks"

Yeah, and some night when you put a 4/0 treble through your finger you will end up carrying the plug and Mr. Attached Bass back to the truck to cut the hook. Better off carrying a pair of $26.00 Manley pliers with the sidecutter.

Trust me. Spend enough time in the surf and it will happen. Took me about 30 years for it to happen the first time and I was glad I could cut the hook. No fun being 100 yards out on a reef, in the dark, alone and have a 15# bass attached to your hand.

[BigFish]

Originally Posted by Casting Z's

VS pliers will not cut a VMC hooks but it will cut the swivel, the line, the thru wiring of any plug and possibly the hook eye. Bolt cutters in the truck, cut hooks.
I didn't buy my VS pliers to cut hooks but rather to cut braid, trim knots and remove hooks from thrashing fish.
Best 200 buck ever spent and if I loose them, I'll buy another pair.
I work with tools all day long, remodeling homes. I have bought every tool needed, four times over, going mid road quality.
Now I purchase only the best at any cost. They last longer and hold resale value.
I you bought a pair of VS pliers for $200, used them for four years, (providing you didn't try to cut hooks with them) what would you think you could sell them for?
I'll get most my 200 bucks back. Money in the bank!

VS pliers do indeed cut VMC hooks! I have several times and have yet to change the teeth. I also agree with everything else you say......buy the best always! Funny I wonder how many guys have spent a bundle on high end reels but do not think the money is well spent on the best pair of pliers money can buy??

[SeaWolf]

with my manley's, i've cut at least 3 hooks (1 w/ fish still on) out of fisherman's hands thru the years. luckily, not mine...yet. i've even cut a bail off a 704 while a friend was fighting a fish. it ruined the cutter for braid, but they still worked. i can't count the number of hooks i've cut out of fish and off lures thru the years on them. granted, i may get 4-6 years out of a pair of manley's but that's only because they won't cut braid anymore, not that they wont cut mono or hooks anymore. there are always a 2nd pair in the truck. wd-40 is their best friend, but mine may not get a wash after every trip.

i want a pair of vs pliers just for the better braid cutting capabilities and titanium, but it's hard to not carry the manleys just for the better hook cutting capabilites as you never know when you'll need to cut a hook. if i only fished on a boat, i would have a pair of vs pliers. you could always leave the manleys in the cabin too.

i also carry a pair of shimano needle nose pliers i got for like $10 10 years ago. except for a little wd once in a while, these have not rusted at all. best $10 i spent.

[Casting Z's]

Originally Posted by piemma

"Bolt cutters in the truck, cut hooks"

Yeah, and some night when you put a 4/0 treble through your finger you will end up carrying the plug and Mr. Attached Bass back to the truck to cut the hook. Better off carrying a pair of $26.00 Manley pliers with the sidecutter.

Trust me. Spend enough time in the surf and it will happen. Took me about 30 years for it to happen the first time and I was glad I could cut the hook. No fun being 100 yards out on a reef, in the dark, alone and have a 15# bass attached to your hand.

Thanks for painting that picture for me with crayons.
Not going to carry manly pliers in the surf all night. If you like that maintenance program, she's all yours!
As far as a hook in the finger, attached to a thrashing fish, well! If you pulled out them pliers and held that lose hook before you try and lip the fish, (kind of like what one does when a blue in on the end of the line) one could minimize the odds. I can bet that you where standing on the fish's head when this happened, keeping it from inflicting more pain.
The VS pliers can cut the swivel eye, the thru wiring or even the hook eye.
35 years ago, I was fishing all over Narragansett‎ Bay, from shore to boat. I've seen it all!

[MAKAI]

BARBLESS, end of problem.
Leaping blues can shake off ( a good thing )
Bass tend to stay pinned.
Self surgical is a lot easier.
I am referring to standing in sternum high water at nite.

[jake]

Can't go wrong with them.
jake

[WoodyCT]

Manleys are the way to go. Cost effective, cut anything you may need them to, low maintenance too. The odd rinse and squirt of lube is all they need. No need to waste money on big dollar pliers. And if carrying something so heavy is a problem it might be time to hit the gym 3-4 times a week.;-)
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[stripermaineiac]

The Manleys can't be beat. But no matter what type you choose try them on your biggest hook you carry ist to make sure they're gonna do what you need when you need it. Sure gonna bite iy your connected to a big bass or blue by a 6/0 or 7/0 VMC and your way out on a rock by yourself- like none of us have done that LOL-and your cutter won't cut you free. OUCH.I've rescued a couple people includin myself with my manleys.Got 6 pair. one in each plug bag.Had 8 but some nice freinds borrowed a couple pair LOL-no plug bag is safe around freinds LOL

[WoodyCT]

Walked into a Bomber hanging in the basement not 12 hours after my last post!

Cut the split ring with my Manleys in front of the bathroom mirror.

Then off to the ER for a shot and some TLC from the nice lady there.

SO GLAD I've steered clear of the VS pliers Cool Aid! I'd have been driving around with the whole Magnum hanging off my face instead of just the hook.

[mag minnow]

It's all fun and games until someone has a plug hanging from their face. Eeewwww.....

[stripermaineiac]

i so wish that I could say I've never done something like that. OUCH

[Tagger]

I do that all the time .. when the hook sets on myself feels like a fish ..

[maddmatt]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

$3 needlenose from Job Lot. Had the set in my canal bag for over 3 years now (only reason I replaced my last pair was because I lost them). Zap some WD40 on them once a week and they open/close easily.



That puts me at about 87 years before the VS are worth it - and lose a $3 pair of pliers, go to the truck and grab another; lost the VS pliers, cry myself to sleep that night. Not to mention I keep a pair in my surf bag, the boat bag, canal bag, my truck and 2 pairs at home.

Way more things I need to spend money on than $250 pliers or a $250 Boga.

ditto. i think this is the first time we agree!!

[crisco]

Originally Posted by Rockport24

I have these made by Ross reels, 3 seasons with them and they still work great with zero maintenance
I think you can get them at ll bean now (around $130)

Cabelas also has an alluminum pair for like $26 right now, which sounds like a good deal.

Do you know how much they weigh? I have the 7" brownings and they have lasted well, but they seem heavy!

Or the P-Line Adaro...any idea on weight?

[pmbrac]

Has anyone tried the Okuma pliers that M&D's carry?? I think they are the Cavalla model. They look really nice and are $50 like the Brownings..

[texican]

Originally Posted by pmbrac

Has anyone tried the Okuma pliers that M&D's carry?? I think they are the Cavalla model. They look really nice and are $50 like the Brownings..

I picked them up before the start of the season, actually when Mike had the sale in the shop. They have been out on a few trips and have been underwater the majority of the time. I have not rinsed them and don't plan on it to see how they hold up. I can tell you that I can cut braid without putting any tension on it and makes a clean cut. Time will tell. I was in Mikes yesterday and he only has a pair left. He did mention that they made replaceable parts for them.
I am tempted to buy some extra cutters to try to cut a hook with but I'll save that untill the offseason. Till then I'll carry a set of Manleys in the car just in case.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by texican

I picked them up before the start of the season, actually when Mike had the sale in the shop. They have been out on a few trips and have been underwater the majority of the time. I have not rinsed them and don't plan on it to see how they hold up. I can tell you that I can cut braid without putting any tension on it and makes a clean cut. Time will tell. I was in Mikes yesterday and he only has a pair left. He did mention that they made replaceable parts for them.
I am tempted to buy some extra cutters to try to cut a hook with but I'll save that untill the offseason. Till then I'll carry a set of Manleys in the car just in case.

Just make sure you can get the screws out before you try and cut a hook with them. If they are not lubed they might be siezed up already.