Specialist Fishing Tools & Accoutrements

Specialist Fishing Tools & Accoutrements — Forceps, Disgorgers, Hook Sharpeners, Scales & More

Sharnbrook Tackle has been supplying anglers since the 1970s, when founder David Watts — then serving in the military — began sharing his love of fishing with fellow service personnel during their downtime. What started as a way to pass on a passion has grown into a trusted tackle business, but one thing has never changed: a genuine belief that the right tool for the job makes all the difference.

And here's a truth every seasoned angler learns eventually — it's rarely the rod or the reel that lets you down at the crucial moment. It's the little things! A pair of forceps you can't lay your hands on, a knot you can't tie with cold fingers, a hook that's lost its bite against the gravel. Sort those details, and everything else runs that much more smoothly. That's exactly what this collection is built around.

We don't stock these tools simply to fill a shelf. Every item in the range has earned its place because it does its job properly — unhooking cleanly, cutting sharply, sharpening keenly, and weighing accurately, session after session.

A tool for every job at the bank or on the boat

Forceps

Ask any angler what lives permanently in their pocket, and forceps will top the list! These slim, locking pliers are the quickest, kindest way to slip a hook from a fish's mouth — reaching where fingers can't and holding firm once they grip. Our forceps come in a range of lengths and jaw styles, from fine points for delicate coarse work to longer, sturdier patterns for deeper-hooked or larger fish. A good pair speeds up unhooking no end, gets your catch back in the water faster, and keeps your fingers well clear of sharp teeth and hooks alike.

Disgorgers

For those deeper hook-holds where forceps struggle, a disgorger is the tool you'll be glad you packed. Simple, cheap, and brilliantly effective, it slides down the line to the hook and pops it free with a gentle push — minimising handling and protecting the fish. Our range covers different sizes to suit everything from tiny hooks in a roach's lip to larger patterns for bigger species. Keep one on a lanyard around your neck and you'll never be caught scrabbling in your tackle box mid-session!

Hook sharpeners

Here's something too many anglers overlook: a sharp hook catches fish, a blunt one loses them! Every session, points dull against rocks, gravel, and fishy jaws — and a hook that bounces out on the strike is a heartbreak entirely avoidable. Our hook sharpeners let you restore a needle-sharp point in seconds, whether it's a fine coarse hook or a heavy sea pattern. A quick touch-up between casts keeps you fishing at your best, and extends the life of your hooks into the bargain.

Knot tyers

Fumbling with hooklengths on a frosty morning, or squinting at tiny knots as the light fades? A knot-tying tool takes the frustration out of the job! These handy gadgets help you tie neat, consistent, reliable knots quickly — a real boon for anglers with cold fingers, failing eyesight, or simply a fondness for getting rigged up and fishing sooner. From spade-end hook tyers to general-purpose knotting tools, they turn a fiddly chore into a two-second job.

Braid scissors

Anyone who's tried to cut braid with ordinary scissors knows the frustration — it frays, crushes, and refuses to sever cleanly! Purpose-made braid scissors solve that in an instant. With ultra-sharp, often serrated blades designed specifically for modern braided lines, they slice through in one clean snip, leaving a neat end that threads easily through an eye. Compact enough to clip to a lanyard or drop in a pocket, they're one of those tools you'll wonder how you ever managed without.

Scales

Landed something special? You'll want to know exactly what it weighs! Our range of fishing scales covers everything from compact digital models for accurate, easy-to-read readings to robust dial scales built to shrug off years of use. Whether you're logging a new personal best, keeping match records, or simply satisfying your curiosity, a reliable set of scales settles the matter. Look for a model with a decent weighing range and a clear display — and a weigh sling or bag protects both your catch and the accuracy of your reading.

Crimping pliers

For anyone building heavy traces or big-game rigs, a proper pair of crimping pliers is essential kit. Household pliers simply won't do — they crush and weaken the crimp, leaving a join that slips under load. Purpose-made crimping pliers form a clean, secure squeeze every time, locking your loops and joins solidly in place. Pair them with the correct crimp sizes for your line, and you've got connections you can trust when a powerful fish is testing every part of your rig.

Other handy accoutrements

It's the extras that mark out a well-organised angler! Line clippers, baiting needles, priests, tackle-box tools, lanyards, and all the sundry gadgets that quietly earn their keep session after session. These small items rarely get the glory, yet they're what keep everything running smoothly at the waterside — and reaching for the right tool at the right moment is one of life's small angling pleasures.

Getting the most from your fishing tools

Simple to use they may be, but a little care keeps your tools working beautifully:

• Keep the essentials to hand. Forceps, a disgorger, and braid scissors on a lanyard mean you're never caught rummaging while a fish waits. Quick access makes for faster, kinder unhooking.
• Rinse after saltwater sessions. Salt is merciless on metal tools! A quick rinse in fresh water and a dry-off before storing prevents rust and keeps hinges, blades, and jaws moving freely for years.
• Check your hook points often. A few seconds with a sharpener between casts catches a dulled point before it costs you a fish. Draw the point across your thumbnail — if it slides rather than grips, it needs attention.
• Handle fish with wet hands and proper tools. Minimising handling protects the fish's protective slime coat. A good disgorger or forceps gets the hook out quickly and cleanly, giving your catch the best chance on release.
• Test crimps before you fish. Squeeze firmly with proper crimping pliers, then give the join a good tug. A rushed crimp is a lost fish waiting to happen!
• Store everything dry and organised. A dedicated tool roll or pouch keeps your kit tidy, rust-free, and ready to grab. There's little more frustrating than a tangled, corroded jumble in the bottom of the bag.

Trusted tools, honest advice

We stock specialist tools we have genuine confidence in — kit chosen because it performs reliably in real UK fishing conditions, not because it carries the biggest marketing budget. Forceps that seize, scissors that crush braid, or scales that read all over the place will only cost you fish and frustration — and we simply won't stock anything we wouldn't happily use ourselves.

If you're unsure which tools suit your style of fishing, your target species, or your local marks, get in touch. We've been helping anglers kit themselves out sensibly for over 50 years, and there's little we enjoy more than talking tackle. No jargon, no upselling — just straightforward advice from people who fish.

Frequently asked questions

What are the essential tools every angler should carry?

If you're building a basic kit, start with a pair of forceps, a disgorger, and some braid scissors or line clippers — these three cover unhooking and line-cutting, the jobs you'll do most often. Add a hook sharpener to keep your points keen, and a set of scales if you like to record your catches. Beyond that, a knot tyer, crimping pliers, and a few sundries round things out nicely. Keep the everyday items on a lanyard for instant access, and you'll fish far more efficiently.

What's the difference between forceps and a disgorger?

Both remove hooks, but they suit different situations. Forceps are locking pliers that grip the hook and let you back it out — ideal for hooks in or around the mouth, and versatile enough for all sorts of jobs. A disgorger is a simpler tool that slides down the line to a deeper hook-hold and pushes the hook free. Many anglers carry both: forceps for the majority of fish, and a disgorger for those awkward deeper hook-holds where forceps can't easily reach.

How do I sharpen a fishing hook properly?

Use a purpose-made hook sharpener or fine file, and work the point at a shallow angle, drawing the sharpener along each side and towards the tip. A few strokes is usually enough. Test the result by drawing the point gently across your thumbnail — a sharp hook will grip and catch, while a blunt one slides straight across. Check your points regularly through a session, as they dull surprisingly quickly against rocks, gravel, and fishy jaws.

Why do I need special scissors for braid?

Braided line is tough, fibrous stuff that ordinary scissors struggle with — they tend to fray, crush, or chew the line rather than cutting it cleanly. Purpose-made braid scissors have ultra-sharp, often micro-serrated blades designed specifically for the job, slicing through in one clean snip. The result is a neat end that threads easily through a hook eye or swivel, saving you no end of frustration when you're trying to rig up quickly.

Do I really need crimping pliers, or will ordinary pliers do?

For any crimped join, proper crimping pliers are strongly recommended. Household or general pliers crush the crimp unevenly, which can weaken or deform it — leaving a join that may slip under the load of a good fish. Crimping pliers are shaped to form a clean, even squeeze that locks the crimp securely around your line. When you're building heavy sea or predator traces, it's simply not worth risking a lost fish to save on the right tool.

How do I choose a set of fishing scales?

Think about the fish you're likely to weigh and choose a scale with a suitable range and a clear, easy-to-read display. Digital scales offer precise readings and are simple to use, while dial scales are robust and need no batteries. Whichever you pick, always weigh your fish in a proper weigh sling or bag — it protects the fish and gives you an accurate reading. Remember to zero the scale with the empty sling first, then deduct nothing further for a true weight.

How do I look after my tools to make them last?

The golden rule, especially for sea anglers, is to rinse everything in fresh water after a session and dry it thoroughly before storing — salt corrodes metal alarmingly fast! A drop of light oil on hinges and moving parts keeps forceps, scissors, and pliers working smoothly. Store your tools dry and organised in a dedicated pouch or roll, and check them over now and then for rust or wear. Treated well, quality tools will serve you faithfully for many seasons.

Are these tools suitable for both sea and coarse fishing?

Many are genuinely all-rounders — forceps, disgorgers, braid scissors, hook sharpeners, and scales are just as useful on a stillwater as they are on a beach or boat. Others lean towards a particular discipline: heavier crimping pliers, for instance, come into their own for sea and predator trace-making. If you fish more than one discipline, it's worth building a core kit of the versatile essentials, then adding the specialist tools your particular fishing calls for. Unsure what you need? We're always happy to advise.

Ready to sort your tackle box?

Whether you're topping up on forceps and disgorgers, treating yourself to a decent set of scales for those personal-best moments, or finally sorting out braid scissors that actually cut, our Specialist Fishing Tools & Accoutrements range has what you need. Simple, practical, proven in UK waters, and backed by advice from anglers who've been at this since the 1970s.

Browse the full collection below, or get in touch if you'd like a recommendation based on your style of fishing, target species, and local marks. Get the small things right, and the fishing takes care of itself!