Reddit mentions: The best fishing pliers & tools

Redington Crosswater combo ($132 with Prime)

If he likes smallmouth and catches them in his favorite creeks then get the 6wt. If he prefers trout then get the 9' 5wt option. This rod in a 6wt will also work for pond/lake fishing for bass. If he went to a bigger river then he would do fine with it as well, whether wading or in a boat.

He will also need a leader and some tippet. For $8.61 you can get him an individual leader, or for $16 you can get him the three pack. For tippet, if you get him the 8 pound leader then you should get him the 8 pound tippet for $7.57.

For leader longevity he will want tippet rings for $11.72. This will allow him to use his leaders for much longer rather than needing to re-buy leaders sooner. I know we're outside of your budget at this point past the leader, but if you can swing it then all of these things will provide what he needs outside of flies. Maybe someone else is getting him presents and could supplement the rest. Sometimes fly rod combos will come with leaders, but I didn't see it mentioned on the Crosswater combo. You'll notice I tailored it more to bass. If you find out he's more of a trout guy, then read on.

For $10.78 you can get a 3-pack of 9' 4x leaders. He can fish small streamers and nymphs with these, but would want a thinner leader for dry flies. For creeks he will probably fish small streamers and nymphs most of the time anyways, so this is a good choice (in my opinion). You'll still want the tippet rings listed above to make the leader purchase last a long time. For tippet, a spool of 4x tippet material for $11.43. The tippet prices seem high to me so you might want to dig around some more for options.

Other doodads to consider would be nippers and a zinger, hemostats, and a net. Teeth are a substitute for nippers, but biting through fishing line does wear your teeth. Hemostats aren't as necessary if he pinches the barbs on his hooks. You can get away with not using a net, but it is easier on the fish and the fisherman to use one.

Hopefully this helps and points you in the right direction. If you have questions just send me a message.

Milk crate with rod holders in back

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kayak+crate+rod+holder&ref=nb_sb_noss_2


Scupper plugs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F7NKV8H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


definitely going to want a seat mod.


a dry bag: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H5PQHGV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


An Anchor and Anchor trolley will make fishing and most importantly, staying on the sweet hole much easier.
https://www.amazon.com/YakAttack-LeverLock-Deluxe-Trolley-AMS-1003/dp/B016LF5CI2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=anchor+trolly+kit&qid=1568053827&s=gateway&sr=8-1


https://www.amazon.com/Danielson-AFOLDG3-Folding-Galvanized-3-Pound/dp/B004LR7R8G/ref=sr_1_27?keywords=anchor+trolly+kit&qid=1568053827&s=gateway&sr=8-27


Looks like you could use a paddle holder.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=paddle+clips&ref=nb_sb_noss_1


Amazon has inexpensive kits you can get a bundle of eyelets with rivets. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075V1JN52/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have everything on my yak leashed
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D4NSCRC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RGWD6TW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My 10 yo girl has been fishing since about 3 when she started with a Dora the Explorer zebco. She now casts with a spinning reel but prefers a spin cast.

The key is kids like action. They're impatient. It's hard for her to fish with live bait because she wants to cast and reel. Your kid will probably be the same.

My suggestion is to get a zebco spin cast combo for him. 6' rod. Get 1/8 and 1/4 oz jig heads and a couple of packs of Berkley saltwater gulp in shrimp, shad or jerk bait styles. Buy a couple of top water lures. Get a couple of crank baits. Don't worry about proper technique. Try to get him to slow his retrieve. I taught my kid 5 cranks then count to five then repeat.

Use a 20# flurocarbon or mono leader about 18in long. Teach him to not reel the knot through the guide. Learn a surgeon's knot to tie the line to the leader. Learn to tie a loop knot when tying the leader to the lures. Google is your friend

Get a pair of pliers with sheath. You can buy cheaper than these, but these are good quality. Pliers

Wear sunscreen and have fun.

Off the top of my head, a good multitool like a Leatherman.

A scale with measuring tape. For making sure you are within a size limit or for bragging rights.

Bogagrip like grabber or Fish Gripper for handling fish.

Hemostat for extracting a deep hook.

A good hat, UV rated shirt, sunblock and mosquito/tick repellent. Maybe a backpack with water reservoir a la CamelBak. I also keep a small first aid kit and a hook removal kit just in case.

Dry bag if you are going to be on a boat or kayak. No one likes a water damaged phone.

Edit:

A folding net. Nothing is worse than having a good fish and losing because it too big to drag it up on the bank. I lost a good sized trout last week because I didn't have a net handy.

So, it's better to remove their body slime essentially destroying their immune system by putting them in a bag when you plan to release them?

I always thought the lip mouth area was practically foolproof and re-heals quickly and easily because they use that mouth to eat and some of the things it eat can also cause damage.

I use Fish Grips. They are pretty awesome for controlling your catch without messing up anything. Mine glow in the dark for night fishing and I attached a rope cork to keep it off the bottom or leaving with a fish.

Just wet your hands before touching, don't touch the gills and your fish should do just fine once released.

Get this or a similar product:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NOWZKC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zb39Ab1BT7R9Z

which is useful in its own right, but also has a hole for you to slip the hook of the scale in. then just deduct the 2oz it weighs. safe for the fish and a useful product even outside of weighing for the teethy species.

after a quick search i found these

maybe you can order and give the rest to friends or use them around the house?

or use em as alpine draws xD

I did a ton of plopper fishing earlier this year and can confirm: those treble hooks are NASTY! I too got stuck in the fleshy part of my hand by one of those hooks with a three pound bass hanging off the other hook and thrashing. Luckily, I was able to push the hook point through, crush it flat and pull the hook free or my day of fishing would have ended there.

After playing 'treble hook roulette' with plopper hooked fish too many times I finally decided to do something about it.

#1 I sent off for a fish picker upper so that I no longer needed to put my fingers into a caught fish's mouth while trying to remove the hooks. I got this little one to hang off my fishing vest: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016OLZLIO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

#2 I refuse to use my fingers to remove plopper hooks anymore. Now I use a fishing forecep. Search Amazon if you want to get a good idea of what's available. Using them to grab hold of a stuck hook is tons less risky than using your fingers.

#3 Possibly the most radical thing of all. I removed the trailing treble hooks on all my ploppers. After noticing that time and again it was the forward trebles that hooked the fish and not the trailers, and that the trailing hooks were constantly sticking into the fish's face or underbelly for no good reason - I removed the trailer hooks entirely.

Mind you, I paid very close attention to how this affected the lure's performance and my hookup ratio. After observing a bunch of hook ups the results were in: The forward treble hooks are more than enough to hook and land good sized fish. The trailers were an unnecessary fish and hand threatening bother.

After making these changes I have not had a repeat of my hand injury. You might consider doing something similar.

Happy to help!

2 sets of: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010UHD3T2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Wo3yCb7FPTMJP

1 set of: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071P6WZV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Op3yCbWFZA76S

1 set of: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728GVWPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fq3yCb3HPJT4F

It goes in and out of stock on Amazon. It can usually be had for around $28.

The Blackthorn Bottle is pretty similar to the original Nalgene, and is well reviewed, and only $25.

If you want to hang the bottle over the fire, people use a fish mouth spreader wedged into the mouth and hung on a stick.

I use fisherman's lanyards. Basically like small telephone cord. Not exactly a "traditional" look, but they're effective.

I'm certainly not an expert on this stuff, but I have Maxpedition Bottle Holder, GSI Nested Cup, and Fish Mouth Spreader. I picked up the fish mouth spreader as an experiment when boiling to see if it helps any or saves wear on the o-ring in the lid.

I have a spot on my bag that I attached a s clip to, then have these

6pcs Pack Fishing Lanyards Boating Multicolor Fishing Ropes Secure Pliers Lip Grips Tackle Fish Tools(Color Ramdon) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4NSCRC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DlzACbGB1STAW

Attached to the s clip. Easy to find and take off to attach to myself when I get to a bank.

I have this scale with a pair of Rapala fish grippers. works like a charm.

These ones are the best and very common where i am.

Fish hook remover

My fav: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00JX06FX4/

Thick blades, convenient handle for a hand grip not just two fingers. Can cut through things that EMT shears can't. Fairly cheap. Can be used to stub things. Can be used as a lever in certain situations. Frankly, I found it to be very well built. Also can be bought in most Walmart that have a fishing section. I think for $8.

EMT shears usually break on the connecting piece that holds the two blades together, it rots, and breaks when trying to cut something hard, leaving you with 2 blades separated. Bad thing is, the EMT shears can look operational to an eye, but would break when actually stressed. If it is during an escape/rescue, it can be a very bad day. So, the shears that I recommend appear to be a vastly better solution, just slightly more expensive but tougher and longer lasting.

Amazon has retractable gear with a "Universal gear attachment" -"https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Carabiner-Polycarbonate-Universal-Attachment/dp/B007YCDB0S

I don't suggest you buy, but maybe it can give you a head start on what to search for.

For just the universal gear attachment https://www.amazon.com/T-REIGN-Retractable-Accessory-Universal-Attachments/dp/B00F4MRMNW/

It still goes with the "T-reign", but you might be able to make something work for you.

Once he gets a snap swivel on the main line, I'm guessing he can add pre-made leaders (that are bought in stores) easily enough. The problem is getting that main line connection to the snap swivel. This might sound crazy, but maybe buy some lightweight crimps and crimp tool. No knot tying, just pressing down a crimping tool (aka closing a pliers shut). If he can't do it, maybe your mom can? No knot tying at all. Just be sure to use the lightest crimp tool and crimp sleeves you can find ... the heaviest stuff is used for big-game trolling like blue marlin!

Dig around, but something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/American-Fishing-Wire-Crimping-Pliers/dp/B004VZLIDI

and this:
https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Sleeves-Monofilament-Fishing-1-8mm-2-5mm/dp/B00BRMM8G4

Too many bones?

Sounds like a job for the

Wunder Boner

Edit: Found it on Amazon:

Wunder Boner Fish De-Boning Device https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KP6HFS/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_vSbbvb0K9NRDE

https://www.amazon.com/Wunder-Boner-Fish-De-Boning-Device/dp/B009KP6HFS

Looks pretty real.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wunder-Boner-Fish-De-Boning-Device/dp/B009KP6HFS

https://www.walmart.com/ip/South-Bend-Fish-Mouth-Spreader/34770979

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Fish-Mouth-Spreader/dp/B0036X3U3W

https://www.amazon.com/Wunder-Boner-Fish-De-Boning-Device/dp/B009KP6HFS/

It's real!


http://www.amazon.com/Wunder-Boner-Fish-De-Boning-Device/dp/B009KP6HFS

http://www.amazon.com/Wunder-Boner-Fish-De-Boning-Device/dp/B009KP6HFS

Dr. Meter Scale from Amazon

Fish Grip Jr.

yup