There are certain pieces of fishing gear that get a lot of attention when you are putting together a tackle setup. Rods, reels, lures and line usually get most of the discussion, while the smaller tools often get pushed to the bottom of the list. After spending enough time on the water, though, I have learned that those smaller pieces of equipment can make a big difference. A good hook remover or pair of line cutters can turn a frustrating few minutes into a quick adjustment and get you right back to fishing. That is where AnglerCo Fishing comes in with two tools that have found a practical place in my fishing gear: the Classic Dehooker and the Core Series Line Snips.

AnglerCo takes a straightforward approach to its fishing tools. The company focuses on building equipment that is meant to be used rather than simply carried around in a tackle box. That is especially important for inshore fishing, where you are constantly tying leaders, changing lures, cutting line and dealing with fish that do not always make removing a hook an easy job. The Classic Dehooker and Core Series Line Snips handle two of those jobs particularly well, and both are designed with saltwater anglers in mind.

The Classic Dehooker is probably the tool that stands out the most when you first see it. It has the look and feel of something built for serious use, and that is exactly what you want when you are dealing with a fish that has swallowed a hook or has a mouth full of teeth and sharp spines. The Classic Dehooker is constructed from 304 stainless steel and is designed to resist corrosion, making it well suited for the saltwater environment we deal with here in the Lowcountry. AnglerCo offers it in two sizes, an 8.5 inch version for inshore and freshwater applications and a longer 13.5 inch model designed to provide additional reach and leverage for larger fish and offshore applications.

The biggest advantage of a tool like this is being able to keep my hands away from the business end of a fish. Anyone who fishes Charleston's waters knows that you can encounter everything from redfish and trout to flounder, sheepshead, bluefish and other species that can make grabbing a hook with your fingers a bad idea. Even when the fish is not particularly dangerous, a deeply embedded hook can be difficult to reach safely. The pistol grip design of the Classic Dehooker gives you a way to work the hook without putting your fingers directly into the fish's mouth or around its teeth and spines. AnglerCo designed the tool for one handed operation, which is another advantage when you are trying to control a fish, keep it in the water and get it released as quickly as possible. That last part is important to me. I am a big believer in having the right tools available when practicing catch and release. The less time you spend handling a fish, the better. A good dehooker gives you the ability to remove a hook efficiently instead of fumbling around with pliers or trying to get your fingers into a tight spot. The Classic Dehooker is rigid and built to handle pressure, which is especially useful when a hook is buried deeper than you would like. It is not a flimsy little tool that you are afraid to put some pressure on.

The 8.5 inch version makes a lot of sense for the type of inshore fishing I do around Charleston. It is compact enough to keep readily accessible while still giving you enough reach to work on most of the fish you are likely to encounter. If your fishing regularly takes you offshore or puts you around larger species, the 13.5 inch version provides that extra distance between your hand and the fish. Having the right length for the type of fishing you do is something worth considering before choosing between the two.

The other AnglerCo tool that has a place in my setup is the Core Series Line Snips. These are considerably smaller than the Classic Dehooker, but that is part of what makes them useful. Line cutters are one of those things you need constantly while fishing, and there is nothing more frustrating than reaching for your snips and finding out that they struggle with braid, leave a messy tag end or simply are not where you thought you put them. The Core Series Line Snips are designed to cut braided line, fluorocarbon and monofilament. They use tungsten carbide cutters inside a compact body made from anodized aluminum, with stainless steel hardware for additional corrosion resistance. The combination gives the snips a lightweight feel without making them seem like something that needs to be babied around saltwater.

The compact size is one of my favorite features. I can see these being kept in a tackle pouch, pocket or another location where they are easy to grab when you need them. That matters when you are constantly changing leaders, trimming knots or swapping out lures. Instead of digging through a tackle box looking for a pair of scissors, the Core Series Line Snips can stay within reach and handle the job. The non slip grip is another practical touch. Anyone who has spent a full day fishing knows that your hands do not always stay dry. Between spray, bait, fish and everything else that happens on a boat, having a small tool that you can actually hold onto makes a difference. AnglerCo designed the Core Series with an ergonomic grip intended to provide control even when your hands are wet or you are wearing gloves.

I also like the fact that these two tools cover very different jobs without taking up much room. The Classic Dehooker is the specialized tool you want when you have a fish at the boat or beside the kayak and need to get a hook out quickly and safely. The Core Series Line Snips are the everyday tool you can find yourself reaching for dozens of times during a trip. Together, they cover two of the most common reasons you need a tool while fishing. That is ultimately what I look for when adding something to my tackle setup. I do not want to carry a bunch of equipment simply because it looks good or has a long list of features. I want tools that solve problems on the water. A dehooker that can handle a difficult hook removal and keep my hands out of harm's way has a purpose. Line snips that cleanly handle braid, fluorocarbon and mono have a purpose. If they are also built to stand up to saltwater and repeated use, even better.

Fishing around Charleston means dealing with salt, sun, spray and plenty of opportunities to put your gear through its paces. Tools that are going to live on a boat or in a kayak need to be able to handle that environment. AnglerCo's focus on corrosion resistant materials in both the Classic Dehooker and Core Series Line Snips makes them particularly relevant for coastal anglers. Of course, like any saltwater equipment, they still benefit from basic maintenance. AnglerCo recommends rinsing the Classic Dehooker with fresh water after use and storing it dry to help maintain its finish and performance.

One of the things I have come to appreciate about fishing is that the little details can make a big difference. Having your leader tied correctly, having a sharp hook and having the right tool within reach can save time when the fish are biting. It is easy to overlook tools until the exact moment you need one, and that is usually when you realize how important they are. The AnglerCo Classic Dehooker and Core Series Line Snips are two good examples of gear that does not need to be complicated to be useful. One is built for getting hooks out safely and efficiently, while the other handles the constant cutting and trimming that comes with rigging. Neither one is going to replace a favorite rod or reel, but both can make a day on the water a little easier.

For the Charleston angler who spends time chasing redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead or whatever else happens to be biting, having a reliable set of fishing tools is just part of being prepared. The next time you are organizing your tackle bag or getting the boat ready for a trip, it is worth taking a look at the tools you are bringing along. Sometimes the smallest pieces of gear end up being the ones you reach for the most, and AnglerCo has put together a couple of options that deserve a spot in the rotation.

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Written by Nick Levine
Outdoor Enthusiast | Gear Reviewer | Fishing & Inshore Specialist