Forceps or pliers should be found on every angler on the water. They cut line, crimp barbs, adjust split shot, untangle knots, tighten knots… and release fish.
It is a plus that you can get functional forceps for under $5. I’ve owned plenty of $5 forceps over the years, and many of them have served me well. At the same time, you can get some really good forceps for between $15 and $25. Those extra few dollars will not only often get you better performance, but it will probably buy you a couple of helpful features.
Below are over five considerations worth thinking about as you browse the fly shop – either online or in person. Chances are that any pair you pick up will work. But if you take a few minutes, you might be able to find that almost-perfect pair of forceps or pliers for your fly fishing:
It is all about the jaws:
A tool can do a lot of things right, but if it can’t perform its primary function it is useless. Do the forceps’ jaws line up? Is the hinge solid, or does it have some play? You don’t need to spend a ton of money to check these two boxes. But they’re essential. Pick up a pair in the shop. Play with the forceps you order online. Make sure they do what they’re supposed to do. Everything that comes next matters, but are certainly subsequent to good a good hinge and jaws.
The size of the finger holes:
Along from jaws that line up with precision, this is a top priority when I’m grabbing forceps. Why? Because if I can’t grab them and use them I’m not going to be able to grab them and use them. If it is difficult to slide my thumb in at home in my garage, it certainly isn’t going to be any easier on the water when I’m wet and cold. But there is another side of the story: if the holes are too large you can loose control. Often, this results in the forceps rolling when to go to crimp or cut. You lose force and potentially botch what you’re doing.
Mitten clamps for big mitts:
Spring-loaded mitten clamps are an excellent choice for large-handed folks or if you’re wearing gloves. As soon as you unclamp them, they pop open using a simple tension spring. Of course, you’re “fighting” that same tension when you’re squeezing down. It isn’t a huge hassle, but you will notice it on small and delicate tasks.
Bells, whistles, and scissors:
Chances are, if you’re taking a few minutes to think about forceps you already have a good assortment of fly fishing tools. Nippers, hook-eye cleaners, and even fish releasing devices are common. These days, manufacturers work those popular tools into forceps. They are hardly necessary, but they are nice to have at hand. Personally, I value a pair that has a scissor function closer to the hinge. I also really like forceps that include a little bump-out for crimping split shot.
When to go with pliers:
Simply put, when the hooks, leaders, and fish are bigger. I rarely take pliers on the trout stream, but they’re always on me when I’m in the salt. I’ll also pack them if I’m using 1/0 or larger hooks for bass or toothy fish. The bulky jaws grip and manipulate larger hooks better than forceps, and the beefier grip handles the torque better than little handles. Although pliers can run you upwards of $200, some excellent anodized models for under $50.
My other considerations:
There are a few things I’ve come to look for in forceps.
- The locking mechanism needs to hit the Goldilocks zone. I don’t want to have to white-knuckle my forceps to get them open. Conversely, I don’t want them to get easily knocked off my pack if they’re clamped on while I’m fishing.
- I like rubberized grips – assuming they don’t slide on me as I use them.
- With all the aforementioned opinions, it might come as a surprise that I don’t have any opinion on straight or curved forceps. I use both, and don’t have strong feelings either way.
These days, my go-to forceps are the Rogue Quickdraw Forceps from Loon Outdoors. They don’t have all the features mentioned above, but their jaws and forceps are solid. I also really enjoy the convenience of the carabiner-style grip. Along with the stow-ability, it combines the best of mitten and eye-style grips.
Have a favorite pair of forceps or pliers? Let me and everyone else know in the comments below:
For crimping barbs, I like the tips of the jaws (the last 1/8″ or more) to have a flat, not serrated surface, to fully squish down the barb. Not all forceps have this feature.
Excellent point about including a flat portion. My preference is for it to be closer to the hinge, but I do like that feature. Thanks!
Yeah, I personally need the flat part out at the tip where the jaw is typically smallest, because sometimes I need to work the jaw in between a very tiny hook gap – – like when I fish #22 – #24 nymphs on the San Juan.