Whether we’re in a boat or fishing the bank, as anglers, we all understand the importance of quality equipment. It’s part of the reason many of us are compulsive buyers.
That equipment isn’t just limited to what we need to catch fish, but the tools required to make our lives easier. From cutting out line to retie to sharpening our hooks, or even making minor repairs and adjustment, it just isn’t practical to always be carrying around a tool box.
Enter the multi-tool. First introduced in the 80’s and popularized in the 90’s, the multi-tool is now a must have for most anglers. The right multi-tool is both compact and versatile and will do anything you need it to, from simply cutting line to making minor equipment repairs.
But with its popularity has come a seemingly endless number of choices, and different variations of each. We’re here to help sort things out a little better with our picks for the best multi-tools for fishing.
Quick glance at the best fishing multi-tools:
- Letherman Wingman
- Leatherman Skeletool
- Gerber MP600
- Leatherman Rebar
- Vicktorinox Swiss Army Fisherman
- Gerber Line Driver
Table of Contents (clickable)
Related:
Best Fishing Multi-tools Reviewed
Letherman Wingman
Weight: 6.8 oz.
Construction: Stainless Steel
Number of Tools: 14
It probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the Leatherman Wegman is first on this list, or that this list contains more than one option from the well known company. When it comes to quality fishing tools, most anglers are going to recognize the name.
What an angler is looking for in a multi-tool is going to vary based on their specific needs, but the Wingman is one of those tools that covers the basics, and covers them well, whether you’re enjoying a day on the water or tinkering with your gear at home.
Compact and lightweight, the wingman features 14 different tools, including a knife, scissor, pliers, and a wire cutter. Made from high-quality stainless steel, this is a multi-tool that will last a lifetime and is compact enough to carry it with you all day, everyday.
Pros
- Quality stainless steel construction
- One handed opening system
- Knife is accessible without having to open pliers
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Some tools are small and can be tricky to use
Leatherman Skeletool
Weight: 5 oz
Construction: Stainless Steel
Number of Tools: 7
Ever more compact and lightweight than the Wingman, the Skeletool is your back to the basics multi-tool that will cover your basic fishing needs without being big and awkward to use.
While it certainly doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles that many other multi-tools do, it does feature all of the major ones, from pliers to a knife, wire cutters, and an exchangeable bit driver. The Skeletool easily covers everything the average angler needs while on the water.
What makes this tool one of our favorites is its ease of use. Where many of the larger tools can sometimes be awkward and require both hands to access, the Skeletool is designed to be accessible with one, and you can do so with such little effort that it is one of the most trouble-free multi-tools available.
Pros
- Easy, one hand use
- Extremely lightweight and compact
- Backed by Leatherman’s 25-year warranty
- Locking blade
Cons
- Pliers are not spring loaded
- No scissors
Gerber MP600
Weight: 8 oz.
Construction: Stainless Steel
Number of Tools: 14
Gerber is another company that is no stranger to making quality outdoor gear, and their lineup of multi-tools are some of the best.
With 14 different tools including needle nose pliers, both regular and serrated knives, wire crimper and cutters, and a screwdriver, the Gerber MP600 is a multi-tool that can compete with the best while being a fraction of the cost of higher end tools.
The stainless steel construction means it’s not only tough, but it will also last a very long time and could possibly be the last multi-tool you’ll ever purchase. Like some of the higher-end tools, the MP600 is also designed to be used single-handedly, but some of the smaller tools can be a little tricky to access with one hand.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Includes lanyard ring
- Enough tools to cover all your fishing needs
- Lifetime warranty (North American residents)
Cons
- Heavier than similar multi-tools
Leatherman Rebar
Weight: 6.7 oz.
Construction: Stainless Steel
Number of Tools: 17
With its classic and iconic box look, the Leatherman Rebar is possibly one of the most recognizable multi-tools in the fishing world, designed to be as close to the original 80’s look and function as possible.
With 17 different tools, the Rebar includes the staples every angler needs from serrated and plain knife blades, to needle nose pliers. It also includes tools that other multi-tools are sometimes lacking, like hard-wire cutters, a thread loop, and a bottle opener.
Our favorite feature of the Rebar is that every tool (with the exception of the pliers) has a locking feature for easy and safe handling, something that sets it apart from other multi-tools, including some tools in the Leatherman line up.
Pros
- Available in classic stainless as well as black and brown
- 17 different tools makes it one of the most versatile multi-tools
- Wire cutters are replaceable
- Includes lanyard ring
Cons
- The coating on the colored versions can chip and peel
Vicktorinox Swiss Army Fisherman
Weight: 3.5 oz
Construction: Stainless Steel
Number of Tools: 18
These days, when we think of multi-tools, we think of the classic folding ‘plier’ style that Leatherman made so iconic. But before those came the ‘pocket knife’ style Swiss Army knife.
The Fisherman was the very first multi-tool I was introduced to, and at my young age, it was a knife that I was absolutely fascinated with. It blew my mind that they could fit so many things into such a small knife. And when I say small, it comes in at half of the weight that today’s multi-tools do, while still boasting an incredible 18-tool design, all of which come in handy at one point or another.
With small and large blades, screw drivers, scissors, and a fish scaler, the options available are almost too many to list. Backed by a lifetime warranty, the Fisherman is made to last and to this day is a multi-tool that I never leave home without.
Pros
- Ultra-compact and lightweight pocket knife design
- More tools than most other multi-tools
- Stainless steel construction is strong and durable
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Can be too small for some applications
- No pliers
Gerber Line Driver
Weight: 1.6 oz
Construction: Aluminum
Number of Tools: 5
We’re going a little off the chart with our final pick, the Gerber Line Driver. This is a multi-tool that was born from angler frustration, and while it has very little in common with the other multi-tools on this list, it is very angler specific.
One end of the tool features a hook vise and rotates spinning the line and aiding with tying knots and clearing eyelets. The other end features serrated scissors that can lock into position as well as operate as full range scissors. It also features a line threader that easily threads line through the eyelet, as well as a split shot crimper.
I’ll be the first to admit that when I held on to these for the first time, I saw it as nothing more than a gimmick tool designed to attract anglers, but pose no real impact on my daily fishing. I’ll also be quick to admit that I was wrong. It takes a little getting used to, but it is definitely a tool I would recommend to any angler, especially bank anglers.
Pros
- Trusted Gerber quality
- Lifetime warranty
- Lightweight and compact
- Extremely practical features especially for bank anglers
Cons
- Does not include features like a knife and pliers
Choosing The Best Fishing Multi-tool
The multi-tool that best suits you is going to be the one that has the features you desire the most, or will be most useful to you. Some will come with everything under the sun, while others will be bare-bones and basic. With that being said, there are a few things that every angler should consider when selecting the right multi-tool.
Manufacturer
All too often, as consumers, we focus on price above anything else. We use it as an indication of quality, and in many cases, that couldn’t be further from the truth. What’s a better indication of quality is the manufacturer itself. Having used multi-tools from companies that are not well known, I know the importance of choosing one made by a manufacturer with a solid reputation, even if it happens to cost a few extra dollars.
The multi-tools on this list are all backed by very good warranties, which indicates a product that the company will stand behind so you know the quality is there. Chances are you will never have to use that warranty because a good manufacturer knows that their product will not fail you.
Material
One of the easiest ways for a company to cut costs is by using inferior materials. Something that may seem like a good deal at the time might not be in the long run when you’re having to replace your equipment more often because it breaks, or rusts, or simply doesn’t work anymore. Good manufacturers understand this, and while they may be a larger initial investment, multi-tools produced with quality materials are going to last much longer and save you not only money, but headaches as well.
Size
Depending on the type of fishing you’re doing, the size of the multi-tool can be a major deciding factor. Something big and bulky isn’t going to be ideal for carrying around a river bank all day, and they can end up being more of a hassle then doing what they’re meant to do and make things easier. On the other hand, if you’ve got plenty of room in your tackle box or storage in your boat, the size of the multi-tool may not be as big of a deal.
Number of Usable Tools
While it might seem cool to have a multi-tool that has a seemingly infinite amount of tools on it, consider whether those tools are actually necessary. There really is no point in having a hundred different tools if you only plan on using two or three of them. Unfortunately, this might not be an obvious decision until you’re using it and realize that a lot of it is unnecessary bulk, or worse yet, you have a tool that doesn't have everything you need.
Our Pick: Leatherman Rebar
It wasn’t easy picking one out of this bunch over the other. Each has their own applications and could be considered the best in their own rights. As far as the ultimate multi-tool goes though, it’s hard to beat the Leatherman Rebar.
With 17 different tools, there isn’t a thing this multi-tool can do, and the Rebar manages to pack all of it into a compact and lightweight package that’s bothe easy to carry and use.
It’s also hard to beat the iconic design modeled after the original Letherman of the 80’s, and one thing is for sure, no matter how many decades Letherman has been producing fishing tools for, their incredible quality never falters.
If you’re looking for a multi-tool at a great price that can cover anything and everything you need it too, the Rebar is definitely the way to go.
Final Thoughts
Forget carrying different tools for your different needs. Forget the added hassle of carrying those tools around or having them take up space in your tackle box or bounce around on the floor of your boat. The multi-tool is the solution and is something every angler should have in their bag of tricks.
We hope we were able to provide a little insight into the best multi-tools for fishing. Leave us a comment and let us know!
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