Best Fishing Multi Tool

Last Updated: May 6th, 2022

Judging the best fishing multi tool has been something of a lifelong challenge that has always been part of my passion for fishing. I have naturally acquired a vast collection of different types of equipment for variable fishing conditions and for targeting specific species.

I have also gained knowledge about practical survival skills which have been invaluable when cut off from the conveniences of modern society.

An important aspect of this knowledge is that no matter what equipment you possess, it can only be operated successfully if combined with a certain set of acquired skills. And when you have those skills, having a valuable multi tool at your disposal is key!

Mountain Streams to Shark Alley

At different times of my fishing career, I have focussed on different types of fishing, with fly fishing for wild mountain trout on freestone rivers and bass fishing in streams and lakes being paramount as far as freshwater species are concerned.

Planning a fishing trip into the mountains for a couple of days (which includes lots of hiking and living outdoors) really tests one’s capacity to only include the bare essentials required for a fairly comfortable and enjoyable experience.

However, the last decade or so I have focussed almost exclusively on reef fishing for saltwater species in False Bay, South Africa which obviously demands quite a different set of strategies and equipment.

Donning a wetsuit and battling currents and waves to get to the best fishing spots requires an angler to not only be in pretty good physical condition but to also carry the bare minimum of fishing equipment all of which, bar your fishing rod, has to be firmly attached to your body.

That’s where having the best multitool pliers for fishing can come in supremely handy.

The Best Multi Tool for Fishing

The aid of a multi tool is essential. In the vast majority of circumstances, they can adequately perform the various tasks required and take up a fraction of the space and weight in your fishing backpack.

Even though its separate parts aren’t normally on the same standard as say a hacksaw, a pair of wire cutters or a sturdy pair of pliers, it makes infinitely more sense to pack a good quality multitool.


At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks For Best Fishing Multi Tool


Over the years I have trialed many of the available options to see which multitools cover most of my personal requirements when fishing.

OUR TOP PICKS

Gerber Gear Suspension 12-in-1 EDC Multi-Plier Multitool with Pocket Knife, Needle Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters and More, Gifts for Men, Camping and Survival, Grey
Best All-Rounder
Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier
  • Lightweight & strong
  • Stainless steel grip
See On Gerber →
Leatherman 831103 Super Tool 300 Multi-Tool
Best Overall
Leatherman SuperTool 300
  • 19 Tools in total
  • 25-year warranty
See On Amazon →
LEATHERMAN, Surge Heavy Duty Multitool with Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters and Spring-Action Scissors, Black with Premium Nylon Sheath (FFP)
Best of the Best
Leatherman Surge Heavy Duty Multitool
  • 21 handy tools
  • Exchangeable parts
See On Rei →
SOG PowerAssist Multitool S66N-CP
  • One-hand access
  • Easy to use
See On Amazon →
Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X Swiss Army Knife, 24 Function Swiss Made Multi-Tool with Needle-Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters and Large Blade - Silver
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X
  • 24 tools
  • Very ergonomic to use
See On Amazon →
Gerber Gear Freehander - Durable Line Management Tool with Exchangeable Plus Multi-Positional Respike - Premium Fishing Equipment
Gerber Freehander
  • Simple one-handed design
  • Ideal for fishing
See On Gerber →

The Best Multi Tool For Fishing


Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier

Gerber Gear Suspension 12-in-1 EDC Multi-Plier Multitool with Pocket Knife, Needle Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters and More, Gifts for Men, Camping and Survival, Grey

Gerber is well-known for the quality of their products, whether they are tools or blades. They are tough and very easy to handle. And they also make some great multi tools for fishing, including this one which seems to have a tool for just about everything. Here are the main ones:

  • Spring-loaded needlenose pliers
  • Regular pliers
  • Wire cutter
  • Tool lock
  • Fine edge blade
  • Large flathead
  • Cross driver
  • Saw
  • Can opener
  • Small flathead
  • Scissors
  • Serrated blade
  • Lanyard hole
  • Tool lock
  • Bottle opener

The Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier has a stainless steel grip and consists of twelve different tools which are integrated into this lightweight, open frame. Other novel features are the safety lockers which keep the tools locked open while someone is using them.

Pros

  • Lightweight & strong
  • Stainless steel grip
  • Huge range of tools

Cons

  • Sheath is low quality
See On Gerber
See On Rei

Leatherman SuperTool 300

Leatherman 831103 Super Tool 300 Multi-Tool

When discussing multitools the Leatherman will obviously become part of the discussion pretty rapidly! This specific item has been out with me fishing on countless occasions. It also has stainless steel handles, of course. As well as these tools, along with many others:

  • Needle nose pliers
  • Electrical crimper
  • 420HC knife
  • Serrated knife
  • Saw
  • Ruler
  • Can opener
  • Wire stripper
  • Bottle opener
  • Metal file
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Wire cutters

On top of that, it boasts a multitude of functions. It also has a built-in lanyard that allows users to avoid losing it if you accidentally drop the tool. And as one of the original names in multi tools, they also offer an impressive 25-year warranty. You just have to be willing to pay the price for the name.

Pros

  • 19 Tools in total
  • 25-year warranty
  • Tools lock when open

Cons

  • Pricier than other options
See On Amazon

Leatherman Surge Heavy Duty Multitool

LEATHERMAN, Surge Heavy Duty Multitool with Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters and Spring-Action Scissors, Black with Premium Nylon Sheath (FFP)

The Surge from Leatherman is a step above the model above, so if you want a little more options and something premium, then this is the model for you. With larger pliers and blades, as well as exchangeable blades, it is a real workhorse and will accompany you everywhere, not just fishing.

If you want a quick list of the tools you get with this baby, here are the highlights:

  • Needle nose & regular pliers
  • Straight & Serrated knife
  • Saw with blade exchanger
  • Can & bottle opener
  • Large bit screwdriver
  • Replaceable wire cutter

Of course, with over 21 tools, there are a lot more than just that.

As with most quality Leatherman, it also comes with a lanyard to keep it close to hand and their 25-year warranty.

Pros

  • 21 handy tools
  • Exchangeable parts
  • 25-year warranty

Cons

  • The most expensive option
See On Rei

SOG PowerAssist Multitool S66N-CP

This superb stainless steel multitool has 16 different tools attached. The 16 heavy-duty, stainless steel tools are useful in many fishing scenarios. Here is a quick rundown of the tools:

  • Blade
  • Bolt Grip Channel
  • Bottle Opener
  • Can Opener
  • Crimper
  • Metal file
  • Flat Screwdriver (Large)
  • Flat Screwdriver (Medium)
  • Flat Screwdriver (Small)
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Phillips Screwdriver
  • Ruler
  • V-Cutter
  • Wire Crimper
  • Wire Cutter

It gives access to tools and blades with one hand, which makes it easy to use when doing other tasks. It also comes with an engineered ergonomic and durable design. And, with their patented compound leverage, you get twice the power on the pliers compared to other multitools.

Pros

  • One-hand access
  • Easy to use
  • Engineered design
  • Stainless steel tools
  • Life-long warranty on maintained tools

Cons

  • No spring in pliers
  • Some tools are difficult to get at
See On Amazon

Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X

Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X Swiss Army Knife, 24 Function Swiss Made Multi-Tool with Needle-Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters and Large Blade - Silver

How can I ignore the original Swiss Army Knife brand when it comes to multitools. The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X is definitely a worthy contender with a lot going for it. It comes complete with 27 handy tools, including:

  • Needle-nosed pliers
  • Wirecutter for thin and soft wire up to 40 HRC
  • Hard wire cutter & wire bender
  • Large blade
  • Phillips screwdriver & standard (2mm, 3mm, 6mm)
  • Punch
  • Multipurpose hook
  • Can opener
  • Bottle & crate opener
  • Scissors & wood saw, coupling for the corkscrew
  • Chisel 7 mm
  • Lanyard hole
  • Cable cover and more

The design is lightweight and long-lasting, made in Switzerland with stainless steel of course.

Pros

  • 24 tools
  • Very ergonomic to use
  • Quality stainless steel Swiss build

Cons

  • Cannot be disassembled and cleaned
  • Sheath is not genuine leather
See On Amazon

Gerber Freehander

Gerber Gear Freehander - Durable Line Management Tool with Exchangeable Plus Multi-Positional Respike - Premium Fishing Equipment

This is less of a standard multitool and more of an angler-specific device. The FreeHander from Gerber is designed to help you handle your fishing line with one hand. Why is that so important? It could be that you are hot on the trail of that Salmon you have been waiting for all day and you just have to add a new fly.

So, why put everything down when you can quickly do things one-handed with the Gerber. Here is a quick video that shows you what this tool can do for you, and as a fisherman, it’s very specific but very very helpful.

Pros

  • Simple one-handed design
  • Ideal for fishing

Cons

  • Not many tools included
See On Gerber
See On Amazon

FAQs

What are the 3 key uses of a multitool plier when fishing?

In my experience, those are doing running repairs on either the rod or reel on a fishing trip, extracting a hook embedded in a part of the human body, and opening up a tin of canned food.

Do I need a multitool for all types of fishing?

Yes, due to its versatility a multitool will come in handy with all types of fishing and under a wide range of different conditions.

Is a knife better than a pair of multitool pliers?

A good knife is obviously a very specialized tool and for specific tasks, like cutting bait or gutting fish, it will definitely outperform multitool pliers, in my opinion. However, there are a host of other tasks that a knife is unable to perform as well as a multitool or simply not designed to do at all.

Where shall I put my multitool pliers when I am not using them?

I would suggest you keep it in a watertight plastic bag stashed away in a special pocket or compartment of either your tackle bag or tackle box.

What are some uses outside of fishing for a multiplier when on a fishing expedition?

If you are living outdoors for a couple of days on a fishing trip a multitool may come in handy when doing simple domestic tasks around your tent and campsite like opening, tins, cans bottles, or any other containers. It is also handy to remove undesired splinters from cutting wood. For setting up camp both the pliers function as well as the screwdrivers can be used to perform basic tasks like fixing your lighting arrangements or assembling some rudimentary furniture.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to finally deciding which of the aforementioned items to purchase, the decision can become quite daunting in view of the fact that the potential buyer is confronted by such a variety of choices, especially if he/she wants to buy something that is reliable, durable and able to perform to expectations.

I am of the opinion that these five different multitools adequately fulfill our criteria and will definitely not turn out to be a disappointment to prospective buyers. Like most things in life, however, choices eventually boil down to personal preference, especially when the differences in functionality, the superiority of design, and the quality of materials are marginal.

Whatever choice you make, I am pretty sure you will not be disappointed.

Which of the items do you think are the most useful? Which are the most intelligent? What do you think are the best multitool pliers for fishing?