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Now that you have decided to use braided lines rather than mono, the next natural question is, “What’s my best way to cut braid?” As you tie and retie or cut your way out of snags and tangles, you will soon find that the braid’s strength can be a blessing and a curse. Let’s find the right tools to ensure your time on the water is successful and hassle-free.
There are various tools on the market for cutting braided lines, but the best and most popular tool is the Boomerang Braid Scissors. The Boomerang Braid Scissors are popular for three simple reasons: they are sharp, made of stainless steel to prevent water damage, and their cut is precise.
But this isn’t your only option, as plenty of tools also provide precision cuts and durability. Below, we have provided various cutting options and detailed braid-cutting tools that any serious angler will want to consider for their boat or tackle box. Let’s dive in.
Best Braid Cutting Options
Boomerang Braid Scissors
Besides their stainless steel quality and sharp, precise blades, people love these for a few other reasons. First, they are ergonomic and easy to handle. Nothing is worse than fumbling your gear around while fishing- add a flopping fish to that equation, and you’re asking for disaster. Boomerang Braid Scissors are easy to handle and easy to use. Additionally, these come with a retractable cord to attach to your zipper, belt, or any easy-to-reach location. The best part? They’re only around $10, which makes replacing a lost or damaged pair easy to justify.
Fishing Pliers
If you’re looking for a tool to do it all, a pair of fishing pliers is a great place to start. There are many fishing pliers at different prices, but their main advantage is their versatility. Besides removing hooks, crimping barbs, and handling tackle, fishing pliers are an excellent tool for cutting fishing lines, including braid. Fishing pliers are often made of stainless steel and covered in Teflon to preserve quality. Most importantly, many feature a replaceable tungsten steel blade after any dullness from wear and tear. Their versatility at a reasonable price (under $20) makes for a great tool to have stowed away on the boat or tackle box.
Scissors
A few types of scissors prove effective for cutting braid, so let’s break them down.
- Craft Scissors: If you use scissors, be sure to have craft scissors at least. Fiskars has titanium craft scissors that prevent corrosion, and these craft scissors cut more precisely than your average household scissors.
- Microtip Scissors are sharp and compact and make exact cuts, which is crucial with braided lines. Nothing is more annoying than a frayed braid, which you will avoid with a pair of microtip scissors. Caution: they will wear and tear, and you will need a replacement after a couple of seasons. Anyone can find Microptip and craft scissors at big box stores like Walmart and Target.
- Fly-tying scissors: I have found that scissors used for tying flies are a great way to cut braided lines. While on many backcountry trips, I’ve stored my 3-4” fly-tying scissors in a small tackle box, which has worked very well. If you use this method, double-check that the blade tips are precise and sharp.
Line Cutterz
As seen on Sharktank! I have never tried these, but I am very intrigued by this little device. Line Cuterz was originally a ring-style line cutter, and they’ve now grown to have a few variations that perform the same task. First, they are very convenient because of the varied styles. You can wear one on your finger like a ring, stick their flat mount to your tackle box, or hook their zipper model to a jacket. Every type of Line Cutterz are said to cut with extreme precision and ease, and you can use this on any strength of braid. Each model comes at a competitive price and costs under $15.
Tempting Tools For Cutting Braid
Cutting Braid With Nippers
If you fly fish, you likely have a pair of nippers lying around or buried in a fishing vest. Unfortunately, your standard pair of nippers won’t work well with braid. They can cut braid, but you will have to ensure you have tension on the line, and even then, you will likely have frayed ends. Overall, nippers are designed for monofilament, fluorocarbon, and nylon, so braid will only help dull your nipper’s edges. Hatch, Simms, and Abel have high-end nippers that claim to snip braid easily, but I have a hard time justifying $75-$200 for glorified nail clippers I can quickly lose. You read that right: $200!!!
Cutting Braid With A Pocketknife
Whether it is a pocketknife, swiss army knife, or multi-tool, any blade variation can come in handy to help if you are in a bind. I’ve found myself in many backcountry situations where I only had a multi-tool handy, and a serrated blade got the job done. However, I had to put a lot of tension on the line and was left with frayed ends. Nonetheless, if you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, this standard outdoor tool will be your friend for braid.
Cutting Braid With Teeth
Short answer: don’t bother.
Helpful Information About Braid
Does braided fishing line break easily?
Overall, braided line has superior strength compared to monofilament, so it does not break easily. But like any other fishing line, braided line comes in various sizes and is rated for different pounds. You can have braided line that is considered to be 8lb. test or braid that is regarded as 65lb. test. As that number goes up, the strength of the line increases. However, anglers should note that rocks will rub on the thread of braided line, causing it to slowly deteriorate. Don’t be surprised if suddenly while reeling in your lure, the line goes limp and you “snapped” off.
What is the disadvantage of braided line?
Braided line can be a great tool for strength and durability, but if you are fishing clear water or are prone to tangles, it may be best to start with monofilament. First, braided line is heavier, therefore putting more stress on your reel. You will want to ensure you have the right-sized gear or braid. Second, some worry that braid will easily spook fish in clear water. And last, it can be a real pain to untangle if you end up with a bird’s nest, as you will likely have to cut through a lot of line- but good thing you read this article and have the right tool!
Summary
As you search for the best method for cutting braided line you will find various options, but your top options will be the Boomerang Braid Scissors or any quality fishing pliers. Not only will you cut braided line quickly, but you will also be back to fishing with little frustration or hassle.
