When you’re fishing with braid, big lures and heavy leaders, a good pair of fishing pliers isn’t a luxury - it’s essential kit. They save your hands, make rigging faster, and stop you fumbling around with tools that just aren’t up to the job. At Cavy Fishing, every set of pliers is built for the realities of saltwater fishing and tested by Adam Cavanagh himself in the tropics.
Cutting Braid and Wire Cleanly
Braid is brutal on cheap gear. Regular pliers either fray it or squash it, leaving a messy end that makes knot tying a nightmare. Proper braid-cutting pliers come with sharp, often replaceable tungsten cutters that slice through even heavy braid in one go. Many will also handle light wire, giving you more versatility when you’re rigging offshore.
Split Ring and Crimping Jobs
If you’re swapping lures regularly - stickbaits, poppers, minnows - you know how painful heavy-duty split rings can be on the fingers. Split ring pliers are designed with fine tips that slot straight into the ring, opening it just enough to slide hooks or lures on and off. Some pliers also come with crimping jaws, letting you build bulletproof leaders with crimps instead of knots - a must when you’re chasing giants like GTs, tuna and kingfish.
Saltwater-Proof Materials That Last
Saltwater eats unprotected metal for breakfast. That’s why proper saltwater fishing pliers are made from aircraft-grade aluminium or stainless steel, often with anodised or corrosion-resistant coatings. They stay smooth and functional even after dunkings in salt spray or being left on the boat deck. Cheaper hardware-store pliers might work once, but they’ll seize up and rust fast.
Grip, Comfort and One-Handed Use
Fishing often has you holding a rod in one hand and dealing with fish or tackle in the other. Lightweight pliers with spring-loaded handles mean you can operate them one-handed without a struggle. Non-slip grips give you control even when your hands are wet or slimy, and long-nose designs give you reach when unhooking toothy fish like mackerel or barracuda.
Multi-Tool Benefits
Many modern pliers are more than just cutters. With the right model, you can crimp, cut, open split rings, and de-barb or remove hooks safely. Carrying one solid set of pliers can replace three or four tools in your tackle bag, which is gold when you’re fishing from the shore or travelling light.
Tested by Adam in Real Fishing Spots
Plenty of brands say their tools are “saltwater-ready,” but very few actually prove it. Adam Cavanagh puts every tool through its paces on reefs, rocky ledges and offshore trips. If pliers can handle his style of fishing - casting heavy lures at GTs, jigging tuna, or rigging leaders in rough conditions - you can be confident they’ll handle anything.
