Photos: Fox Rage · supplied retailer imagery
Tools · Unhooking pliers · Our take
Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers
22cm / 8.5in · NTL038
These 22cm carbon-steel pliers combine long-nose jaws, a wire-and-line cutter and a crimping notch. A useful predator-fishing tool, provided you don't mistake them for a complete unhooking kit.
- Product code NTL038.
- 22cm overall length, also listed as 8.5 inches.
- Carbon-steel construction with a gunmetal-grey finish.
- Integrated wire-and-line cutting section and crimping notch.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers, product code NTL038, with gunmetal-grey carbon-steel construction and red-and-black hard-plastic handles.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A practical, versatile tool on its stated features; the value judgement is provisional because no selling price is supplied.
- Product Quality8.6/10
- Performance8.6/10
- Impact on Fish Catching5.5/10
- Ease of Use8.8/10
- Value for Money7.7/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Lure anglers carrying treble-hooked lures. The long-nose jaws offer useful reach for controlled removal of accessible hooks.
- Predator anglers wanting a general-purpose tool. Gripping, cutting line and wire, and crimping are brought together in one pair of pliers.
Maybe skip if
- Fine-hook float and feeder anglers. A suitable disgorger or finer forceps usually makes more sense for small hooks and smaller fish.
- Anyone seeking one tool for every pike-unhooking job. Some situations require longer tools or dedicated hook cutters, so these shouldn't be your entire kit.
The lowdown
Introducing the Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers
These 22cm carbon-steel pliers combine long-nose jaws, a wire-and-line cutter and a crimping notch. A useful predator-fishing tool, provided you don't mistake them for a complete unhooking kit.
- Product code NTL038.
- 22cm overall length, also listed as 8.5 inches.
- Carbon-steel construction with a gunmetal-grey finish.
- Integrated wire-and-line cutting section and crimping notch.
Quick verdict
A sensible tool for the predator bag
The appeal is dead straightforward: long-nose jaws for reaching and gripping hooks, plus cutting and crimping sections for trace-related jobs. If your fishing involves trebles and wire traces, there's a proper reason to keep these close.
The compromises are the hard-plastic handles and the care carbon steel needs. They're also only one part of a safe predator-unhooking setup, not a replacement for suitable hook cutters or extra-long tools when needed.
A practical, versatile tool on its stated features; the value judgement is provisional because no selling price is supplied.
- Product Quality
- 8.6/10
- Performance
- 8.6/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 5.5/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.8/10
- Value for Money
- 7.7/10
Carbon-steel construction and shaped handles make a sensible working-tool package, although drying and maintenance remain important.
The long-nose layout and additional cutting and crimping sections cover useful tasks without replacing specialist tools.
Their contribution is handling and tackle upkeep rather than attracting fish or directly improving bite rates.
Shaped handles and several functions in one tool offer convenience, though effective unhooking still needs the right technique.
The multifunction layout offers useful buying potential, but value depends on the actual price and whether you need the extra functions.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers
A decent pair of pliers isn't the exciting bit of a tackle purchase, is it? No flashy lure pattern, no promise of a screaming take. But once a predator is in the net and there's a treble to deal with, the right tool matters far more than another shiny bait. The Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers are built around that practical side of fishing: reaching, gripping and helping you deal with awkward little jobs without rummaging through half your bag. Sensible kit, rather than something to get carried away about.
This is the NTL038 model, measuring 22cm overall and also listed as 8.5 inches. That distinction matters, mate: you're not getting 22cm of jaw reach. What you are getting is a long-nose tool that puts some useful distance between your hand and the hook you're working on. For lure fishing, especially when trebles are involved, that's a clear advantage over trying to make short general-purpose pliers do everything. You still need a clear view of the hook and a controlled approach; extra length isn't permission to poke about blindly.
The body is carbon steel with a gunmetal-grey finish. That's a straightforward working-tool choice, but don't read the finish as a promise that you can leave them wet indefinitely. Tools spend plenty of time around damp nets, wet grass and tackle bags that don't get opened until the following weekend. Give these a wipe, dry them properly and keep the pivot maintained with a suitable product, away from baits and fish-contact surfaces. It's a tiny bit of faff that makes much more sense than discovering a stiff joint when you actually need it.
Fox Rage has paired that metalwork with ergonomically shaped hard-plastic handles in bright red and black. The shape gives your fingers somewhere defined to sit, while the red provides a welcome splash of colour among all the olive, brown and black stuff we take fishing. That's dead handy when you're trying to locate a tool beside the mat. Just keep expectations straight: hard plastic isn't the same thing as a soft rubber grip, and handle colour doesn't make something impossible to lose. Put them in the same accessible place every session.
There's more here than a set of gripping jaws. An integrated blade section cuts wire and fishing line, which is useful when you're tidying a trace or replacing a damaged connection. Having that function on the same tool can reduce the amount of swapping about for basic jobs. The important boundary is what hasn't been established: a wire cutter isn't automatically a heavy-duty hook cutter. For pike fishing, carry suitable dedicated cutters for hooks that need cutting rather than expecting this section to handle every awkward treble you might meet.
You also get a crimping notch, giving the pliers another potential job when preparing or repairing compatible wire traces. That's useful, but crimping isn't simply a case of squeezing as hard as possible and saying bosh. The wire, sleeve and tool need to suit one another, and the connection needs checking before it goes anywhere near a fish. Follow the guidance for your chosen components. If you're making lots of traces, a dedicated crimping tool matched to those sleeves can still be a more sensible choice than treating an all-rounder as the answer to everything.
Where do they fit on a typical session? Most naturally alongside your predator-unhooking gear, ready before you make the first cast. Have the net, appropriate mat and other tools sorted too, rather than starting the search after a fish is landed. These pliers are there to help with a hook you can reach and control, not to replace sensible fish handling or the right technique. For small roach hooks, delicate float work or straightforward carp hair rigs, they're much less compelling; a suitable disgorger or finer tool is usually a better match.
The buying decision is pretty simple, then. If you regularly fish lures or wire traces and need long-nose pliers with a couple of useful secondary functions, this is a sensible option to consider. If you already own a sound pair, the cutter and crimping notch need to solve a genuine problem to justify another purchase. Nothing here will make fish switch on or rescue a blank by itself. The value lies in being better organised and having an appropriate tool ready when the bite finally comes. That's a worthwhile job without dressing it up.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Product code
- NTL038
- Overall length
- 22cm, listed as 8.5 inches
- Construction
- Carbon steel
- Finish
- Gunmetal grey
- Handles
- Ergonomically shaped hard plastic; bright red and black
- Additional functions
- Wire-and-fishing-line cutting blade section; crimping notch
Specs checked with Fox Rage, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Useful reach beats unnecessary gimmicks
These make most sense as accessible working pliers rather than another gadget buried in your tackle bag. Get them ready before the first cast and that long nose has a clear job when a lure needs removing.
The cutter and crimping notch broaden their usefulness, but matching the tool to the task still matters. Cutting trace wire isn't the same job as cutting through a substantial treble.
The tool
Closer look: long-nose jaws with useful backup functions
The core of the package is a 22cm carbon-steel pair of long-nose pliers. The jaws provide reach for gripping accessible hooks, while the shaped handles give you a defined place to hold the tool. The gunmetal-grey finish keeps the appearance understated; the red-and-black handles are the more noticeable bit when you're looking for them among your gear.
The integrated cutter and crimping notch make this more versatile than plain gripping pliers. They're useful additions if line and wire-trace jobs feature in your fishing. There's no need to pretend every angler needs both, though. Buy for the jobs you actually do, rather than counting functions and assuming more automatically means better.
Worth knowing. The quoted 22cm is overall tool length, not jaw length. And the wire-and-line cutting section shouldn't be treated as a substitute for suitable heavy-duty hook cutters.
On the bank
Who it suits: predator anglers first
Lure anglers have the clearest use for these. Trebles can be awkward, and suitable long-nose pliers let you grip an accessible hook without relying on your fingertips. Keep them within reach of your unhooking area, not zipped inside a pouch underneath lunch and spare clothing. Organisation is the real time-saver here.
They're also worth considering for general predator-tackle maintenance. The cutting and crimping functions could earn their place if you're working with compatible trace components. For everyday fine-hook coarse fishing, though, they're a fairly substantial answer to what is often a small, delicate job. Match the tool to the fish and hook rather than buying on length alone.
Worth knowing. New to pike fishing? Get an experienced predator angler to show you safe handling and unhooking. Long pliers help, but they don't replace the skills or the rest of the kit.
Quick answers
FAQs in full: sizing, cutting and crimping
How big are they? This NTL038 version measures 22cm overall, also listed as 8.5 inches. When choosing storage, allow room for the whole tool and keep the jaws safely contained. Don't confuse the overall measurement with the working reach of the nose.
What does the cutter do? The integrated blade section is for wire and fishing line. No cutting-capacity figure is established here, so don't assume it'll handle every wire thickness or hook. Choose dedicated cutters for demanding hook-cutting jobs rather than forcing the wrong tool.
Can you crimp traces with them? They include a crimping notch, but suitability depends on the sleeve and trace material you're using. Follow the component maker's instructions and check the completed connection. A notch being present doesn't mean every crimp size will be a match.
Worth knowing. After a wet session, take the pliers out of the bag and dry them before storage. Carbon steel deserves a bit of care, even with a finish on it.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Long-nose layout gives useful reach when gripping accessible hooks.
- Combines gripping, line-and-wire cutting and crimping functions.
- Bright red-and-black handles are easier to pick out among muted tackle.
- Ergonomically shaped handles give your fingers a defined grip.
Worth knowing
- Carbon steel needs drying and sensible care to keep corrosion at bay.
- Hard-plastic handles aren't a soft, cushioned grip.
- Not a complete unhooking solution for deeply hooked predators or heavy hooks that need cutting.
Want one?
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01How long are the Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers?
How long are the Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers?
The NTL038 model is 22cm long overall and is also listed as 8.5 inches. That's the length of the whole tool, not just the jaws.
02Can they cut wire and fishing line?
Can they cut wire and fishing line?
Yes. There's an integrated blade section for wire and fishing line. Don't assume that also makes it suitable for cutting through substantial hooks.
03Do they have a crimping section?
Do they have a crimping section?
Yes, there's a crimping notch. Use it only where it suits your crimp and trace material, follow the component maker's guidance, and check the finished connection before fishing.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a sensible tool for the predator bag. The strongest reasons to choose it are long-nose layout gives useful reach when gripping accessible hooks. and combines gripping, line-and-wire cutting and crimping functions.; the main trade-off is carbon steel needs drying and sensible care to keep corrosion at bay..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Long-nose layout gives useful reach when gripping accessible hooks.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Lure anglers carrying treble-hooked lures: The long-nose jaws offer useful reach for controlled removal of accessible hooks.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “Carbon steel needs drying and sensible care to keep corrosion at bay.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers
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Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Fox Rage Long Nose Pliers. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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