Does anyone carry them? Have you ever had to use them? How well do they work? What are your recommendations?
The older I get, the more I realize I probably should carry a pair on board when we are afloat. I usually crimp down the barb on most of my hooks these days. Makes release so much easier and is safer for the fish during CPR. But I suppose I could still get nailed and I'd hate to have it ruin a day on the water. This is why I'm posing this question. Thanks!
There's really only one choice for me - Knipex Hook Cutters.
They cost more but they're worth it because they work.
Choose a model you can use correctly with your weak / off hand.
A-Jay
On 3/16/2015 at 12:29 AM, A-Jay said:There's really only one choice for me - Knipex Hook Cutters.
They cost more but they're worth it because they work.
Choose a model you can use correctly with your weak / off hand.
A-Jay
X2
Yes I have used them to separate a hooked angler & a big smallie. This is the best hook cutter you can buy based on what the musky guys tout the most. I have used them for a long time. They will save your day & the fishes too.
I've carried a pair of Klein diagonal cutters in the past but never had to use them. They cut through heavy gauge nails and screws without issue so I would imagine hooks would be like soft butter.
I crush all barbs and have been able to get hooks out with forceps or needle nose pliers.
x3 for Knipex.
I have a pair of the 8 inch side cutters and they will easily cut through any hook you will be using in freshwater. I picked up mine at Sears a few years ago for $20-$30 I believe.
Edit: My pliers are the high leverage design with the longer handles, which I think makes a ton of difference.
On 3/16/2015 at 1:15 AM, McKinneyLonghorn said:x3 for Knipex.
I have a pair of the 8 inch side cutters and they will easily cut through any hook you will be using in freshwater. I picked up mine at Sears a few years ago for $20-$30 I believe.
Sears does have them at a good price.
I used a Leatherman Charge to cut the hook stuck in my leg . Plus the Leatherman gets used many times throughout every fishing trip .
I use em on deeply/gut hooked fish. As long as you have access to both ends of the hook, cut the hook in half then use needle nose pliers to pull out the other half with ease.
It provides quick release on the fish that need it most. Same goes for any hook near a fishes eye, I don't risk damaging it's sight more then i have to, just cut the hook.
I just this morning purchased a pair of Kobalt 8" bolt cutters from Lowe's. They look just like the Knipex. I'm sure the Knipex are much better, but these cost $12.98. Knipex are $40.00+. I'm sure once I get the hook out of the fish, he'll be just as impressed with my thirteen dollar cutters as your forty dollar cutters.
...lol.
Hootie
On 3/16/2015 at 1:52 AM, *Hootie said:I just this morning purchased a pair of Kobalt 8" bolt cutters from Lowe's. They look just like the Knipex. I'm sure the Knipex are much better, but these cost $12.98. Knipex are $40.00+. I'm sure once I get the hook out of the fish, he'll be just as impressed with my thirteen dollar cutters as your forty dollar cutters.
...lol.
Hootie
Fishing alone with a hook in your dominate hand really limits one's options.
The Knipex is a powerful tool that can be manipulated to successful clip the largest hook you'll use, with your weak hand only.
Definitely Worth the price of a few crankbaits.
A-Jay
I know you're absolutely right
A-Jay. I tried these out on several hooks including the largest ones I use. Just tried with both hands and I can operate them just fine. Until you mentioned it I hadn't thought of the dominant hand thing. Glad you brought that up.
Hootie
What I have are what I think are called linesman pliers. They'll cut through hooks, and have a 1001 other uses.
I got a pair of mini bolt cutters. I forget the brand, Crescent I think, because I recall a blue handle. I that they cost around $20 at Home Depot or Lowe's. They stay in the boat all the time and I look at them as cheap insurance, i.e. as long as I got a tool that will solve the problem, it might not ever happen. Prior to purchasing this tool, once I ran a treble hook into the meat of my palm, it wouldn't back out and I had to push it through and cut it off. A pain, literally and figuratively. The point about maybe having to use your non-dominant hand is well taken. When I bought this set of pliers, I made sure that they had enough leverage that I could cut stuff with my non-dominant hand.
On 3/16/2015 at 3:25 AM, Fishes in trees said:I got a pair of mini bolt cutters. I forget the brand, Crescent I think, because I recall a blue handle. I that they cost around $20 at Home Depot or Lowe's. They stay in the boat all the time and I look at them as cheap insurance, i.e. as long as I got a tool that will solve the problem, it might not ever happen. Prior to purchasing this tool, once I ran a treble hook into the meat of my palm, it wouldn't back out and I had to push it through and cut it off. A pain, literally and figuratively. The point about maybe having to use your non-dominant hand is well taken. When I bought this set of pliers, I made sure that they had enough leverage that I could cut stuff with my non-dominant hand.
Sounds like the ones I bought today. Blue handle 8" mini bolt cutters. From Lowe's. Lowe's brand, Kobalt.
Hootie
The knipex cutters are compound cutters making it easier to cut thru a hook with less force.
On 3/16/2015 at 2:15 AM, *Hootie said:I know you're absolutely right
A-Jay. I tried these out on several hooks including the largest ones I use. Just tried with both hands and I can operate them just fine. Until you mentioned it I hadn't thought of the dominant hand thing. Glad you brought that up.
Hootie
Perfect.
A-Jay
I carry a medium tool box every where I go; included in that box is a pair of #9 Klien Lineman pliers, #9 Klien Diagonal Cutters, 8" ChannelLok, & 6" Vicegrips!
Thanks a bunch guys. This really helped me out a lot.
Im with the klein guys. I use them everyday at work and keep a pair of needlenose as my regular hook removers as well as a diag cutter for cutting hooks. I preferred the kleins over others because its just more comfortable and natural for me when its what i use at work on a daily basis. Had to remove a #2 kvd mustad treble about 2 years ago and snipped it no problem.
I think as long as you get a good quality tool you will be fine. Be it klein, knipex, irwin, etc... you will be fine. My theory has always been buying a good tool once is cheaper than buying a cheap one and then a good one when it cant get the job done right.
I learned that some of these hooks are just way too strong for diagonal cutters when cutting swim jig hooks for the a-rig. I picked up some 8" bolt cutters at Lowes. Kobalt brand was around $10.
Right here, Lowe's Kobalt 8" bolt cutters.
Hootie
On 3/16/2015 at 2:57 AM, J Francho said:What I have are what I think are called linesman pliers. They'll cut through hooks, and have a 1001 other uses.
Same thing I've always used for hooks and Split rings. I've never had the use for them on the water but I do carry a set.
On 3/17/2015 at 2:42 AM, *Hootie said:Right here, Lowe's Kobalt 8" bolt cutters.
cutter.jpg
Hootie
Good Looking Tool.
A-Jay
On 3/17/2015 at 3:12 AM, Siebert Outdoors said:Same thing I've always used for hooks and Split rings. I've never had the use for them on the water but I do carry a set.
I use them on treble and light wire single hooks, but 3X hooks and many jig and swimbait hooks can be a chore to cut through with them. I carry a set of mini bolt cutters along with them.
On 3/16/2015 at 12:29 AM, A-Jay said:There's really only one choice for me - Knipex Hook Cutters.
They cost more but they're worth it because they work.
Choose a model you can use correctly with your weak / off hand.
A-Jay
What model do you recommend, the high leverage diagonal cutters, or the lever action mini bolt cutters? I've always just carried a stainless steel set from Cabela's that came with a diagonal cutter. Thx.
On 3/17/2015 at 11:07 AM, Dogmatic said:What model do you recommend, the high leverage diagonal cutters, or the lever action mini bolt cutters? I've always just carried a stainless steel set from Cabela's that came with a diagonal cutter. Thx.
Diagonal cutters are popular cutting pliers and are offered in a large variety of lengths, shapes and cutting edges for different materials.
Center Cutters provide good stability at the cutting edges combined with a favorable cutting edge angle, i.e. a relatively small amount of force is needed to penetrate and "split" the wire. Consequently, the amount of hand pressure required is also reduced.
I am partial to the light weight & slim handle design of Model # 7112200 - I also like the spring loaded feature making one hand operation easier.
Link includes decent video.
A-Jay
http://www.fastoolnow.com/7112200.html
On 3/16/2015 at 1:52 AM, *Hootie said:I just this morning purchased a pair of Kobalt 8" bolt cutters from Lowe's. They look just like the Knipex. I'm sure the Knipex are much better, but these cost $12.98. Knipex are $40.00+. I'm sure once I get the hook out of the fish, he'll be just as impressed with my thirteen dollar cutters as your forty dollar cutters.
...lol.
Hootie
Hootie - I was in Lowe's today and picked up a pair for myself. I had eyeballed them before but never pulled the trigger. Seems like a good tool, and is cheap "insurance" to keep in the boat. I had a used 3/0 EWG hook laying on the tackle bench and it cut through that like butter (using the off-hand Andy). A better test would be a superline EWG.......but I'll have to wear out one first - don't have any used ones laying around...
On 3/17/2015 at 8:28 PM, A-Jay said:
I am partial to the light weight & slim handle design of Model # 7112200 - I also like the spring loaded feature making one hand operation easier.
Link includes decent video.
A-Jay
http://www.fastoolnow.com/7112200.html
Thank you.
I think I'll pick up a pair of the Kobalts first and try cutting some of my big trebles, with my weak arm. If they work doing that, it'll save me a few bucks. If not, I'll certain step up to the Knipex. I won't be out much $$ by doing so. I believe in trying things out for myself, before relying on them in real life situations. Knowing what you are carrying works is the real insurance.
Thanks again guys!
I have a pair of Kobalt 8" needle nose with cutter. I once had a buddy put two hooks from a treble in my right thumb. I used my left hand (I'm right-handed) to both cut off the hooks and the needle nose to extract the hooks (they were buried past the barb). I guess each person has to purchase cutters depending on the size hooks they use.
I just carry a cheap pair of Stanley ones I think. Nothing fancy, but they'll get the job done.