I’ve been using the trusty 11 inch carbon steel Rapala straight plier (top in photo) for years, both from shore and from the kayak. It’s kept my hand away from kaku and aha teeth (didn’t trust sharks to behave themselves) and has slowly corroded in places but I usually lose them before that gets too bad. It currently sells for $26 on Amazon but I got mine with my Rapala wholesale orders. I haven’t sold them in the Store because they will cost more to ship than our standard $5 rate.

Recently, I tossed them over the side of the kayak when they stuck to my magnetic Shark Bans strap on my ankle, and I flipped my leg over the side. So it was a good opportunity to try something new. I purchased the Booms 11.5 inch Hook Remover plier on Amazon ($18) and have used it once so far. I found it easier to dehook fish than the Rapala straight plier, because of the curved tip, but it has already started to corrode slightly. I’ll keep using Corrosion Block on it like I did with the Rapala straight plier.

Liking the idea of a curved or angled tip, I got a Rapala Stainless Steel Angled plier and a Rapala 6.5 inch Curved plier. I haven’t tested them on the water yet but pistol grip of the Angled plier makes it easy to quickly get the plier into position to pull a hook, and being stainless steel, hopefully it will resist corrosion longer. The little 6.5 inch Curved plier ($13 on Amazon) feels very nimble in the hand but being so short puts me closer to the sharp teeth. For the smaller, less toothy fish, it would be winner. I’ll try the Rapala Stainless Steel Angled plier on the kayak soon and I expect to love it. Downside is it’s bulkier because of the shape, and it sells for $30 on Amazon.

I was a little shocked to find out how much these pliers sell for now.

What kind of pliers do you folks use?