You know what they say about lures (which also applies to many, many fishing tools): they’re meant to catch fishermen, not fish.
Some do both, many catch just fishermen. The same dynamic applies to many fishing tools. We all know what they are and if you think for a minute you’ll be able to come up with some.
We’ll spare the names so as to not blacklist any brands, but let us just say there are some “tools” out there that aren’t worth the space they take up in your tackle bag, let alone the cost.
The following tools are not like that. These are the essentials that every serious fisherman should have on board or on hand, no matter where on the water.
A Knife
We’re not going to beat a dead horse here. You should always have a knife on you when fishing. There is a reason that this tool (which is not just a fishing tool, by the way) tops pretty much every single list of functional ‘must haves” out there.
A Line Cutter
You should also have a dedicated line cutter, either a good pair of braid scissors (which can be used for a lot more than cutting line) or a pair of line nippers.
The latter are good because they are light, compact, specialized, and can be used to trim line down very precisely, especially for eliminating the tag end of a bit of line when tying a rig or spooling a reel.
Granted, nippers are so specialized they aren’t much use for anything but cutting line, but some also have integrated hook hones and jig eye busters which add to their value.
Pliers
Pliers, like a knife, are a must-have on the water. Not only can pliers be used to cinch down on line or get a good grip on a hook to straighten it out, they can also be a lifesaver if you need to unhook a fish and get it in the water fast (although a disgorger is even more useful for that). Pliers with integrated line cutters, wire forming indentations, and wire cutters are the best ones as they offer the most overall value.
Split Ring Pliers
Here’s take two for pliers: you don’t just need pliers, you need a pair of split ring pliers, and there’s a good reason for this.
Split ring pliers have special jaws that are designed to pry open a split ring and hold it in place without it flying off violently into the wild blue yonder.
These are a must for any angler that fishes with lures - like our target angler that is a slow pitch jigging fanatic - because it becomes necessary from time to time to replace the hooks on a jig, and doing so with split ring pliers is far, far easier than without them. Trust us on that.
Also, could you get away with carrying one pair of pliers? Sure, as long as they were split ring pliers, but one is none and two is one, so ultimately it’s better for you and everyone who shares the boat with you if you have a second pair.
A Hook Hone
Split ring pliers will make it easier for you to replace the hooks on your jigs. Long before you will need to replace the hooks, you’ll have to sharpen them.
Don’t gamble on a trophy. Check your hook points by running them along your thumbnail before dropping down. If the hook point hangs up on your nail, it’s sharp enough. If not, give it a few passes on a hone.
Hook hones are pretty affordable and easy to use. Sometimes they’re also incorporated into other fishing tools. Be sure you’re stocked with one if not a couple.
A Disgorger
You don’t absolutely need a disgorger if you have a good pair of long needle nose pliers, but most good disgorgers will give you better reach and are more effective at getting a fish unhooked and back in the water faster than pliers.
The reason a dedicated disgorger is a good thing to have is because if you are fishing for species with size limits, sometimes the name of the game is to get the shorts back into the water fast, not only so you can limit bycatch mortality, but also so you can get back to swinging keepers over the rail.
A Lightweight Gaff
Lastly, if you’re after big fish and you’re on a headboat, you’ll want a lightweight gaff with the reach to make sure you don’t lose anything boatside, because that is a special type of torment that you hopefully will never have to experience.
Shop Fishing Tools at Johnny Jigs
Shop our collection of fishing tools and make sure you’re prepared before you get back on the water. If your pack or bag is missing more than one of these tools, make sure you fix that before shoving off again.