From cutting fishing lines to unhooking fish, anglers need the correct tools in their boat to take care of any situations that they may face on the water. Here are seven key fishing related tools that I always have in my boat.

Side cutter

This tool is important to have for cutting a hook off at the barb or bend, because it hooked a bass deep; or for cutting off a hook that became lodged in you or fishing partner’s finger or hand, etc. This cutting tool also comes in handy if you need to do any work on wire baits such as a spinnerbaits or buzz baits.

Knife

I keep a folding, compact knife in my tackle compartment, easy to access, so I’m prepared for any scenario that may arise where I need to cut something…right now. This could be rope, a strap or who knows what else. I’d rather be prepared than not.

Fishing line (braided line) cutter

Being able to cut your fishing line without your teeth not only gives you a nice, clean tag end, but can also save you a verbal lashing from your dentist. Plus, you’ll want a cutting device that can cut braided line with ease, so you’ll want to be able to snip super lines like butter, so your tag end is clean. And if you are connecting braid to a fluorocarbon leader, you’ll want to snip that tag end as close to the knot as possible. Good scissors are the most logical choice, as they are compact, which works well for anglers in a boat, for shore anglers, or when jumping in another angler’s boat. I’ve played around with several brands and sizes over the years, and have found that a 3-inch Cuda Micro Scissors allows me to get a close cut to a leader connection knot or the knot on a crankbait.

Pliers

This tool is without question vital for anglers, as it can be used for the obvious job of unhooking a bass, crimping an eyelet shut, or bending the wire of a spinnerbait or buzz bait. It is wise to have several needle-nose pliers in your boat, since dropping one of them in the water is bound to happen. It is also a good idea to have several different sizes of pliers, as certain sizes shine in some situations over another size.

Hook sharpener

When fishing a Texas, Carolina, or drop-shot rig, I like to use a fresh hook anytime I’m in a tournament scenario. But when pre-fishing, using a wire bait or crankbait, I also keep an eye on the sharpness of my hook. If needed, I’ll give it a quick once-over with a hook sharpener to keep the hook point sharp. This tool is compact, and with a few quick swipes, your hook is sharp again!

Baitcast pick

This small pick, which anglers can acquire from their dental office, is a great tool to help take care of those nasty backlashes that happen from time to time. It’s also useful for clearing the “pee hole” on my outboard if it becomes clogged with sand or a small piece of vegetation, or for clearing the paint out of the eye of a jig.

Wacky-Neko rigging tool

For bass fisherman, the Wacky or Neko rig is a staple setup that is likely rigged up most of the time. Being able to keep your Wacky or Neko rigged Senko or finesse worm in the water will catch you more bass. To do this, use and rely on a variety of rubber O-rings or silicone tubes that you slide down a soft plastic stickbait to its center, and then run a hook between that ring/tube and the bait. This will keep you from losing baits, saving you money, and keeping you catching bass. A good Wacky Rigging tool will help you put these O-rings on. The Cuda Wacky Rigging Pliers can accept three different size O-rings, so you can use the correct O-ring for the soft plastic bait you are fishing with.

As you start to get your gear packed up for next fishing season, I highly suggest that you have these seven tools in your tackle bag or storage compartment in your boat.

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