· Jake Sorensen
Fishing Pliers Set: What the Pliers + Grips Combo Covers
"Fishing pliers set" is a smaller but telling search — it means you're past choosing a single tool and thinking about your whole line-side kit. Below is what makes a set genuinely functional, and the full pricing on ours laid out so you can check the math yourself.
What "fishing pliers set" usually means
In tackle gear, a "set" typically pairs pliers with one or more of these: a sheath/case, a fish gripper, a crimping tool, or a second smaller plier for finer work. The idea is that these tools get used together on the same trip, so bundling saves money and a separate purchase decision.
What makes a set functional rather than padded
- Two tools, two jobs. A gripper and a plier serve different moments — holding a fish and cutting line — so they work in sequence rather than overlapping.
- A discount off the real total, not off a "compare at" price. HookGrip's Combo is $4.95 under the sum of the two individual prices, shown in full below.
- One order, one delivery, both pouches included. The kit is complete the day it lands instead of assembled across a season.
The HookGrip Pliers + Grips combo, worked out honestly
HookGrip sells three configurations: Grips alone, Pliers alone, and a Pliers + Grips Combo. Here's the actual pricing, so you can check the math yourself instead of taking our word for it.
| Option | Contents | Price | Compare price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grips only | Small handheld grips for holding fish | $19.95 | $29.95 |
| Pliers only | Multi-function pliers (cut, split rings, unhook) | $24.95 | $39.95 |
| Combo (Pliers + Grips) | Both tools together | $39.95 | $59.95 |
Buying Grips and Pliers separately costs $44.90 ($19.95 + $24.95). The Combo is $39.95 — a real $4.95 savings versus buying both individually, not just a discount off an inflated "compare" price. We're showing this math directly because a lot of bundle pricing in this category doesn't hold up when you check it, and we'd rather you verify it than trust a badge. The Pliers half of the combo is the same tool covered in our split ring pliers breakdown, built with a stainless steel jaw for durability.
Do the two tools actually solve different problems?
Yes, and that's the part that matters more than the price math. The Pliers handle cutting line, opening split rings, and general gripping. The Grips are a smaller, dedicated tool built specifically for holding a fish securely, especially useful for anglers who want to avoid touching hooks or spiny fins directly during catch-and-release. One verified buyer described the pliers specifically: "It looks good, the material is great for cutting line and removing rings from lures, and very practical. The handle is perfect and comfortable." That's a cutting/rings use case — exactly what the Grips don't replace, and vice versa.
The Grips earn their place the moment a fish has to be held still: catch-and-release, spiny dorsals, teeth, or any hook lodged deep enough that both hands are busy. That is the job the Pliers do not do, and the reason the Combo exists as a single order.
How this compares to other "set" listings in the category
Plenty of listings in the $15–$30 band call a plier plus a sheath a "set" — that is a tool plus an accessory, not two functional tools. Larger multi-piece tackle sets go the other way, adding hook removers and line clippers to raise the piece count. HookGrip's set is narrower by design: two tools, two distinct jobs, one straightforward price comparison.
verified savings on HookGrip's Combo vs. buying Pliers and Grips separately
— HookGrip pricing page, 2026
units sold across the HookGrip lineup, per verified sales data
— HookGrip verified sales data, 2026
average rating across 288 verified reviews for the HookGrip lineup
— HookGrip verified buyer data, 2026
What each configuration includes
The Pliers + Grips Combo at $39.95 puts both tools and both pouches in one order, $4.95 under the two individual prices. The Pliers alone run $24.95 and the Grips alone $19.95 — jaw performance is covered in our best fishing pliers guide, and our fish gripper page covers the Grips in more depth. A case ships with each tool, as verified buyers confirm in fishing pliers with sheath.
What each tool does, by angler type
Here is what the two tools handle, trip by trip:
| Angler type | What the Pliers do | What the Grips add |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional shore angler, mostly small panfish | Cut line flush and open split rings on light terminal tackle | A dry hold on a wet fish, so the hook comes out without squeezing it |
| Catch-and-release, mixed species | Back the hook out cleanly with the fish still supported | Secure hold that protects fish and angler during a quick release |
| Kayak or boat angler, frequent lure changes | One-handed ring work and braid cuts, tool on a belt clip | Control of the fish in a moving boat, where both hands are rarely free |
| Anyone fishing spiny or toothy species | Keep hands clear of hook points during removal | Keep hands clear of spines, gill plates and teeth |
Both tools carry on the same belt, in the pouches they ship with, and both are covered by the same 30-day return window. The Combo is the configuration that arrives complete.
Frequently asked questions
What does the fishing pliers set add over the pliers alone?
A second, dedicated tool for the moment the pliers do not cover: holding a fish securely while the hook comes out. The Combo puts both in one order at $39.95, which is $4.95 under buying the Pliers and the Grips separately.
What's included in the HookGrip fishing pliers set?
The Combo includes the multi-function Pliers (cutting, split rings, gripping) and the smaller Grips tool for holding fish, at $39.95 total.
Are fishing pliers sets good for beginners?
Yes: one order covers cutting line, opening split rings and handling fish, so a first kit is complete from day one instead of being assembled tool by tool over a season.
Does the HookGrip set include a sheath?
Based on verified buyer reviews, the Pliers ship with a case. See our dedicated fishing pliers with sheath article for buyer feedback on it.
Jake Sorensen · Outdoor Gear Tester, 7 yrs reviewing fishing tools
Jake has spent seven years testing and reviewing outdoor and fishing gear, from budget tackle to offshore-grade tools, focusing on real-world durability over spec sheets.