Forceps or Pliers?
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- Stickleback
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Forceps or Pliers?
Some advice please. Have purchased some long forceps for unhooking (hopefully to be caught soon Pike) yet a lot of video's I have watched it seems Pliers are used?
I presume pliers provide a better grip? so should I be investing in a pair of long nosed pliers as well? I have also seen the pistol grip pliers. What in your expereince is the best tool for the job and also what will be the easiest for a junior to use (under supervision of course) TIA
I presume pliers provide a better grip? so should I be investing in a pair of long nosed pliers as well? I have also seen the pistol grip pliers. What in your expereince is the best tool for the job and also what will be the easiest for a junior to use (under supervision of course) TIA
- Andrew
- Bailiff
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Forceps are a little flimsy trying to get a solid hold on a difficult hook. They have their use but not the pair I'd grab first. Solid long nose pliers should be the first tool of choice.
Those trigger type pliers are also good but give seen cheapo ones slightly warp/twist when trying to get a difficult hook, probably a cheap soft sheet metal used.
Those trigger type pliers are also good but give seen cheapo ones slightly warp/twist when trying to get a difficult hook, probably a cheap soft sheet metal used.
- Bob Watson
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
I grind the ends off my forceps so the jaws are only about an inch long, plenty of grip.
- Andrew
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Bob Watson wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13 2021 17:42 -Man its so obvious now 😳 will be trying thatI grind the ends off my forceps so the jaws are only about an inch long, plenty of grip.
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
I personally don’t like pliers, though can see their advantage for big hooks on lures. I use this style of forceps, but longer, that have a short pair of jaws like Bob up there said
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Surgical-Nee ... 635-2958-0
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Surgical-Nee ... 635-2958-0
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- Bob Watson
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Andrew Croft wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13 2021 17:50 -Reduce the profile while your at it too Croftus, when you grind them back the jaws get fatter!Bob Watson wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13 2021 17:42 -Man its so obvious nowI grind the ends off my forceps so the jaws are only about an inch long, plenty of grip.will be trying that
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- Brown Trout
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Fish on.... wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13 2021 18:29 -I think needle holder forceps have a shorter nose than normal artery forceps. I bought some of these after a recommendation from someone on this forum, haven`t used them yet but they look the partI personally don’t like pliers, though can see their advantage for big hooks on lures. I use this style of forceps, but longer, that have a short pair of jaws like Bob up there said
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Surgical-Nee ... 635-2958-0
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231658793490 ... 0885200301
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- Chub
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
dolph wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13 2021 20:44 -I put this post on the good reviews section because I could never remember the name of them!Fish on.... wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13 2021 18:29 -I think needle holder forceps have a shorter nose than normal artery forceps. I bought some of these after a recommendation from someone on this forum, haven`t used them yet but they look the partI personally don’t like pliers, though can see their advantage for big hooks on lures. I use this style of forceps, but longer, that have a short pair of jaws like Bob up there said
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Surgical-Nee ... 635-2958-0
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231658793490 ... 0885200301
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=37050&p=556251&hil ... ar#p556251
- Flipflopjoe
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
I’ve got both, 12” bent nose forceps and long reach needle nose pliers, they’ve both come in handy on different occasions !
Joe Birch
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- Eel
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
I use both, depending on where the hook is. The deeper the hook the longer the forceps, but the longer ones are more flimsy so I now use pistol grip ones. Pliers for hook holds that are much firmer than normal!
Best always to carry more than one pair of whatever you use, especially on a boat, as its a real bummer when they fall overboard or are lost!
Best always to carry more than one pair of whatever you use, especially on a boat, as its a real bummer when they fall overboard or are lost!

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- Zander
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- Paddy_R
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Usually a pliers but I used to have a short 6inch forceps on my jacket on a retractable cord too. Was very handy and despite it's small size was enough for most fish. Not sure where it's gone, I must invest in a new one.
- Chico 48 PAC
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Take every kind you can, some work better in certain situations, some will only be called upon once in a while but better to have them at hand when you need them.
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- Andrew
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Paddy_R wrote: ↑Thu Oct 14 2021 21:45 -I think there was a cautionary tale of punctured lung with those chords on hereUsually a pliers but I used to have a short 6inch forceps on my jacket on a retractable cord too. Was very handy and despite it's small size was enough for most fish. Not sure where it's gone, I must invest in a new one.

- MarkBerrisford
- Chub
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Pliers for lures, short nose needle holders for bait fishing
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- Stickleback
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Thanks for all the responses. I will get some Pliers and then will have both.
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- Chub
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
You also want some side cutters, so you can cut a hook in an emergency (eg. I cut off the end of a big lure hook from a tiny jack today - there wasn't room to manoeuvre it back out). Or if you get a hook in you, with a pike still attached - snip the hook and you have two small problems, not one awful thrashing problem.
Something like this: https://sp8tium.co.uk/products/knipex-7 ... ters-160mm
Something like this: https://sp8tium.co.uk/products/knipex-7 ... ters-160mm
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- Zander
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
dolph wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13 2021 20:44 -I found them too bendy Dolph.have a look for the Caimore ones.so good I bought 3 pairsFish on.... wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13 2021 18:29 -I think needle holder forceps have a shorter nose than normal artery forceps. I bought some of these after a recommendation from someone on this forum, haven`t used them yet but they look the partI personally don’t like pliers, though can see their advantage for big hooks on lures. I use this style of forceps, but longer, that have a short pair of jaws like Bob up there said
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Surgical-Nee ... 635-2958-0
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231658793490 ... 0885200301
- Mike F
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
The easy answer is take both and your covered. The front compartment of my rucksack may look like a surgeons tool kit but i can deal with any situation.
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- Zander
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
JoeNickel wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15 2021 22:01 -Word of warning when snipping hooks, close your eyes at the moment you snip.Had a hook point hit me in the face drawing blood before,would have been nasty in the eye.You also want some side cutters, so you can cut a hook in an emergency (eg. I cut off the end of a big lure hook from a tiny jack today - there wasn't room to manoeuvre it back out). Or if you get a hook in you, with a pike still attached - snip the hook and you have two small problems, not one awful thrashing problem.
Something like this: https://sp8tium.co.uk/products/knipex-7 ... ters-160mm
- Ratty46
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Mattjb wrote: ↑Sat Oct 23 2021 15:10 -yup, when ever i snip a hook before the cut, i always say "look away", me and my piking PIC know what it means and what either of us is doing- tho i do most of the unhooking as im quickJoeNickel wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15 2021 22:01 -Word of warning when snipping hooks, close your eyes at the moment you snip.Had a hook point hit me in the face drawing blood before,would have been nasty in the eye.You also want some side cutters, so you can cut a hook in an emergency (eg. I cut off the end of a big lure hook from a tiny jack today - there wasn't room to manoeuvre it back out). Or if you get a hook in you, with a pike still attached - snip the hook and you have two small problems, not one awful thrashing problem.
Something like this: https://sp8tium.co.uk/products/knipex-7 ... ters-160mm
pliers 99% of the time, and always with lures ( tho i do carry forceps just in case i lose either )
- old_school
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
My tool kit comprises of cutters, long nose pliers and pistol grip pliers (all 3 Fox brand) and a pair of forceps. All tools get used at some point over a season and I wouldn’t even start fishing without all 4 in the bag.
Pistol grips are used mainly, they keep your operating hand offset so you can see what you are doing in the pikes mouth better. Long nosed for deeper hooks where pistol grips can’t reach. The cutters (long nosed) are used for difficult hookups and I won’t think twice about sacrificing a hook. The forceps are used to clamp on the hook point when using the cutters, the cut off portion of the hook being retained by the forceps where possible, this avoids a hook point pinging off and sticking in your face or left in the pikes mouth. They are also much narrower for going in through the gills (as already said by another poster)
These 4 tools have been settled on over years and at the point where I don’t need or want anything else or anything less
Pistol grips are used mainly, they keep your operating hand offset so you can see what you are doing in the pikes mouth better. Long nosed for deeper hooks where pistol grips can’t reach. The cutters (long nosed) are used for difficult hookups and I won’t think twice about sacrificing a hook. The forceps are used to clamp on the hook point when using the cutters, the cut off portion of the hook being retained by the forceps where possible, this avoids a hook point pinging off and sticking in your face or left in the pikes mouth. They are also much narrower for going in through the gills (as already said by another poster)
These 4 tools have been settled on over years and at the point where I don’t need or want anything else or anything less
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- Sebas
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
I always have 3 or 4 sets of forceps with me, a good pair of cutters and some long nosed pliers which don't get used too often.
Don't know if its because I've got huge hands but I find the slimmer design of forceps a bit easier to maneuver than the thicker, heavier pliers especially when working around the gills, and they're much better for awkwardly hooked jacks IMO. Both tools have their uses though.
Don't know if its because I've got huge hands but I find the slimmer design of forceps a bit easier to maneuver than the thicker, heavier pliers especially when working around the gills, and they're much better for awkwardly hooked jacks IMO. Both tools have their uses though.
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- m00minpapa
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
I try to be prepared for every eventuality, so my toolkit looks like this:
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Richard Hart, but call me Rich
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- Zander
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
m00minpapa wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30 2022 16:36 -Knipex the best a man can get !!I try to be prepared for every eventuality, so my toolkit looks like this:4BDC8589-6A2D-4D34-BC58-1CA1F84DFBE2.jpeg
- m00minpapa
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Steve Le maitre wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30 2022 19:25 -They’re really well built! I can see them outlasting mem00minpapa wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30 2022 16:36 -Knipex the best a man can get !!I try to be prepared for every eventuality, so my toolkit looks like this:4BDC8589-6A2D-4D34-BC58-1CA1F84DFBE2.jpeg
Richard Hart, but call me Rich
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- Stickleback
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
Be careful when using forceps, a mate of mine had his thumb and forefinger through the handle rings ready to unhook a pike, as soon as he clipped the forceps onto the hook the pike managed to roll and twisted the forceps around his fingers. He ended up in A&E but was lucky he didn't break his finger. He still uses forceps but has cut the ring and streatened the handles out. Still easy to clip onto a hook but a bugger to release.
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- Ferox Trout
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
wilkie wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30 2022 20:29 -nasty that ....Be careful when using forceps, a mate of mine had his thumb and forefinger through the handle rings ready to unhook a pike, as soon as he clipped the forceps onto the hook the pike managed to roll and twisted the forceps around his fingers. He ended up in A&E but was lucky he didn't break his finger. He still uses forceps but has cut the ring and streatened the handles out. Still easy to clip onto a hook but a bugger to release.

- Ben
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
m00minpapa wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30 2022 16:36 -KnipexI try to be prepared for every eventuality, so my toolkit looks like this:4BDC8589-6A2D-4D34-BC58-1CA1F84DFBE2.jpeg
I’m a big fan of their bent nose pliers, I like the leverage they provide.
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- Catfish
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Re: Forceps or Pliers?
I still have a forceps in my gear somewhere (I think), but have'nt used it for years. I have 2 pair of pliers, the Fox long ones and a shorter pair, they're mostly used to unhook lures. Using single hooks for baits, I can unhook fish by hand 95% of the time.
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