Last checked: December 6, 2025 · Source: Amazon
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My Quick Verdict
I reach for the ZACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers on almost every trip now: they’re light, comfortable and genuinely handy, with sharp cutters and a surprisingly secure lip gripper for the money. You can outspend them with premium pliers, but if you want an affordable combo that covers hook removal, line cutting and safer fish handling in both freshwater and saltwater, this set is a very easy yes.
What I Liked
- Comfortable EVA foam handle that doesn’t dig into my hand, even when I’m lifting heavier fish.
- Lightweight aluminum pliers that still feel solid and resist corrosion when rinsed after saltwater use.
- Sharp cutters that slice braid and mono cleanly in a single squeeze.
- Spring-loaded, one-handed operation with a coiled lanyard that keeps the tool from going overboard.
- Excellent value compared to buying a separate lip gripper and fishing pliers.
What Annoyed Me
- The lip gripper feels a bit small and narrow for very large or heavy saltwater fish.
- No locking latch to keep the plier jaws closed when stored in a pocket or loose in a bag.
- The aluminum frame can flex slightly if you really crank down on stubborn, heavy split rings.
- The included lanyard and sheath are functional but feel fairly generic and basic.
- Like most budget tools, long-term durability depends on rinsing and drying—neglect shows up as wear faster than on premium pliers.
Key Specs
| Model / ASIN | B07MXBLD23 (Style B-Set) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions & Weight |
Approx. 7.28″ L × 3.9″ W; 4.4 oz |
| Materials / Build | Aluminum and stainless steel with EVA foam grip on the gripper handle. |
| What’s in the Box | 1× fish lip gripper, 1× aluminum fishing pliers, 1× sheath, 1× coiled lanyard. |
| Variations | Style A (lip gripper only) and Style B (gripper + pliers with sheath). |
| Warranty | Amazon 30-day voluntary return window; detailed manufacturer warranty is linked on the product page but not clearly listed. |
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 stars (15,700+ ratings) |
| Price | $19.18 USD (Prime member deal when I checked) |
Prices and availability change often—check the Amazon page for the
latest.
My Hands-On Experience
As a weekend angler who bounces between local lakes and occasional inshore saltwater trips, I wanted one compact set that could replace the random mix of rusty tools in my tackle bag. The ZACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers caught my eye because they bundle an aluminum plier and a lip gripper in one relatively inexpensive package, and the buyer reviews suggested they held up better than most “cheap Amazon pliers.”
When the kit arrived, the first thing I noticed was how light it felt. The pliers use a skeletonized aluminum frame with stainless jaws, and the center pivot moves smoothly out of the box. The lip gripper has a long EVA foam handle that feels more like a rod grip than a cold metal bar, and the included sheath and coiled lanyard are basic but perfectly usable. Nothing about it screams high-end boutique gear, but it definitely doesn’t feel like dollar-bin junk either.
I’ve used this combo for largemouth bass, walleye and a few inshore fish like sea trout and smaller redfish. The pliers make quick work of treble hooks, and the fine jaws slip easily into tight spots without tearing up a fish’s mouth. The cutters slice through 20–30 lb braid and heavier mono cleanly, which matters when you’re trimming knots on a windy boat deck. The lip gripper really shines when you’re dealing with toothy or deeply hooked fish: it keeps fingers away from hooks and teeth, and makes quick photos and releases much less chaotic.
The biggest pleasant surprise has been corrosion resistance. I’m not gentle about rinsing gear, but a quick freshwater rinse and a wipe-down after saltwater trips have kept rust spots away so far. On the downside, the lip gripper does feel a bit undersized on chunkier fish, and there’s no latch to keep the plier jaws closed in storage, so they can catch on things if you toss them loose into a bag. I also wouldn’t treat these like a heavy-duty rigging tool—cranking too hard on big split rings makes the aluminum frame flex slightly.
If you pick up this set, I’d recommend attaching the lanyard to your PFD or tackle bag so the pliers are always within reach, and keeping the pivot joint touched up with a tiny drop of oil a few times a season. After any saltwater use, give both tools a quick rinse and dry to preserve the finish. I also like to use the lip gripper only long enough to control the fish, then support the body with my other hand to avoid putting all the weight on the jaw—especially with larger fish.
Performance & Features
Ergonomic EVA Foam Handle
The EVA foam on the lip gripper’s T-handle is one of the reasons I don’t mind using it all day. It has enough diameter to fill my palm without feeling bulky, and the foam texture stays grippy even when it’s wet or slimy. On longer sessions—especially jigging or working lures where I’m constantly unhooking fish—that softer handle noticeably cuts down on hand fatigue compared with bare metal.
Lightweight Aluminum Build & Corrosion Resistance
Both the pliers and gripper lean heavily on aluminum and stainless steel, which keeps the total weight at just 4.4 oz while still feeling sturdy. The aluminum frame has cut-outs to shave grams, but the jaws and cutters are steel where it matters. I’ve splashed these in brackish and saltwater plenty of times; as long as I give them a quick rinse and dry afterward, corrosion hasn’t been an issue.
Multi-Function Pliers for Everyday Tackle Work
The pliers pull their weight as a little multitool: they handle standard hook removal, basic crimping and light split-ring work, and the cutters are sharp enough to nip braid and fluorocarbon without chewing it. I like using them to swap trebles on crankbaits and topwaters, and the tip profile is fine enough to get into those cramped split rings without slipping off.
One-Handed Operation & Included Accessories
The spring-loaded handles keep the pliers naturally open, so you can operate them with one hand while you control the rod or net with the other. The lip gripper uses a simple trigger-style release that’s intuitive even with cold fingers. ZACX includes a sheath and a coiled lanyard; they’re not fancy, but they do the job and, more importantly, keep your tools out of the drink.
Who It’s For
- Weekend anglers who want an affordable lip gripper and pliers combo instead of piecing together separate tools.
- Kayak and small-boat anglers who need compact, one-handed tools that won’t rust quickly.
- Gift shoppers looking for practical fishing gifts under roughly $30 that actually see use on the water.
Who Should Skip It
- Anglers who regularly chase very large or toothy saltwater species that demand a heavy-duty, boga-style metal gripper.
- Gear nerds who insist on premium stainless or titanium pliers with replaceable cutters and lifetime warranties.
- Anyone who already owns a solid set of pliers and just needs a standalone lip gripper.
Comparison Snapshot
| Model | ZACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers | Piscifun Fishing Pliers | KastKing SteelStream 6pc Fishing Tool Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline Benefit |
Lightweight combo of lip gripper and pliers at a budget price. | Standalone pliers with beefier build and more finish options. | Comprehensive multi-tool kit with pliers, knife, lip gripper and more. |
| Key Spec |
Aluminum pliers, EVA-grip lip gripper, 7.28″ length, 4.4 oz. | Standalone pliers (often stainless or aluminum) with strong cutters. | Carbon steel pliers plus fillet knife, braid scissors and floating gripper. |
| Notable Drawback |
Not ideal for very large fish and no plier jaw lock. | You’ll still need to buy a separate lip gripper. | Bulkier kit to store and the knife edge may need more frequent sharpening. |
| Typical Price |
Around $20–$25 when discounted. | Typically in the low-to-mid $20s depending on model. | Generally mid-$20s when on sale. |
| Warranty | Amazon returns plus basic manufacturer coverage (details online). | Standard retailer return policies; warranty details vary by seller. | Standard retailer returns; no clearly advertised extended warranty. |
| My Pick For |
Best simple combo for everyday freshwater and light saltwater trips. | Best if you only need a rugged pair of pliers. | Best for anglers who want a full fishing tool kit in one purchase. |
FAQs
Are the ZACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers suitable for saltwater fishing?
Yes. The combo uses aluminum and stainless steel components that hold up well in saltwater as long as you rinse and dry them after each trip.
Can these pliers cut braided fishing line cleanly?
The built-in cutters are sharp enough to slice typical braided main line and heavier mono without fraying, which makes tying and trimming knots much easier.
What exactly comes in the ZACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers set?
The Style B set includes the lip gripper, aluminum fishing pliers, a basic sheath and a coiled lanyard so you can tether the tool to a vest or bag.
How big of a fish can the lip gripper handle?
In my experience it’s perfect for bass, walleye and average inshore fish. Once you get into very large pike, muskie or big offshore species, the jaws start to feel small.
Do the pliers have a locking mechanism to keep them closed?
No, there’s no locking latch on the pliers. The spring keeps them open by default, so I keep mine in the sheath or attached to the lanyard when not in use.
What’s the difference between Style A and Style B on Amazon?
Style A usually includes only the lip gripper, while Style B is the combo reviewed here: lip gripper plus aluminum pliers with sheath and lanyard.
Will these tools float if I drop them overboard?
They’re not marketed as floating tools, so I treat them as if they will sink and always use the included lanyard or clip them to my PFD or tackle bag.
Is this a good fishing gift for beginners?
Definitely. It’s affordable, easy to use, and covers core jobs like hook removal, line cutting and safer handling of fish, so a beginner will get a lot of use from it.
Conclusion
Overall, the ZACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers set punches well above its price: you get a genuinely useful pair of fishing pliers, a comfortable lip gripper and the basic accessories you need to keep everything handy on the water. It’s not a heavy-duty offshore tool and it won’t replace high-end titanium pliers, but for everyday bass, trout and inshore fishing it delivers far more value than I expected.
- Buy if: You want an affordable, compact lip gripper + pliers combo that covers 90% of everyday fishing situations.
- Skip if: You chase truly big fish, demand premium pliers, or already own quality tools and don’t need another combo set.
