Landing nets, pliers & fish-handling tools
— Buyer’s guide 2026
Handling fish well is key to a successful release. A rubber landing net, good pliers and a lip gripper protect the fish — and your fingers. Here’s how to pick your handling tools.
How to choose your handling tools
- •Rubber knotless landing net: best for catch and release — it protects slime and fins and won’t tangle your hooks.
- •Basket size for your target fish: a large, deep basket for pike and walleye, a compact one for trout.
- •Telescopic handle: handy from shore, a dock or a kayak to reach the fish without leaning out.
- •Long-nose pliers: to remove deep hooks without hurting the fish or your hands.
- •Lip gripper: to lift and hold the fish without squeezing it or touching its gills.
- •Jaw spreader for pike: opens the jaw safely to retrieve the lure.
- •Braid scissors / cutter: a blade that cleanly cuts modern braid (ordinary clippers just crush it).
- •Responsible release: keep the fish wet, handle it little, and release it quickly.
Popular models and types
Frabill rubber landing net
Knotless rubber mesh, gentle on fish and won’t snag your hooks.
Rubber landing net (generic)
Rubber mesh, deep basket, ideal for catch and release.
Long-nose pliers
For removing deep hooks, especially on pike and walleye.
Lip gripper
Holds the fish by the jaw without harm; some include a scale.
Braid scissors / cutter
A blade that cleanly cuts modern braid, where ordinary cutters fail.
Which tool for your need?
Catch and release (rubber net)
View on Amazon ↗A knotless rubber landing net protects the fish and won’t tangle your hooks.
Unhooking / pike
View on Amazon ↗Long-nose pliers and a jaw spreader to safely remove the lure from pike.
Handling the fish
View on Amazon ↗A lip gripper to lift and hold without squeezing.
Cutting braid
View on Amazon ↗Braid scissors for clean, fast knots.