Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in the country and is a sport fitting for men, women, young, and old alike. While your fishing pole, tackle box, baits, lures, hooks, etc., are the most important items to take fishing, it’s also vital that you have a top-notch fishing knife on hand. Because you’ll likely be tight on space or want to stow your knife in your tackle box, more and more people are investing in pocket knives.
This article will look at the best fishing pocket knife for any budget and any occasion. Our goal is to give you all the information and suggestions you need to make the best decision for your needs.
What to Look for in a Fishing Pocket Knife
Blade
Because you’re going to be dealing primarily with water, it’s important to have a rust-resistant, waterproof, and razor-sharp blade. The best fishing pocket knife is a tool you can use for multiple things, such as filleting fish, cutting bait, cutting lines, and more. So, it’s important that your blade is sharp and robust but also agile and easy to guide.
Handle
Aside from the blade, your handle is the next most important part of the knife. The handle or grip of your fishing knife should also be rust-resistant, water-proof, and slip-resistant. Fish are slimy, slippery creatures, which means your hands will get slippy when handling them. Not having a knife with a grippy handle is a good way to cut yourself when you’re trying to kill or fillet a fish.
Versatility
Versatility is one of the top features to be considered as an option for the best fishing pocket knife. This is important because you’ll be doing many different things with your fishing knife. Depending on where you’re fishing, you may not be able to carry multiple tools with you or a giant tackle box. Therefore, having a single pocket knife that can perform multiple tasks is a definite plus.
Size
If you want to stow your knife in your tackle box or carry it in your pocket, it can’t be too thick, bulky, or long. However, it also has to be big enough to fulfill its duties. Finding a happy medium between big enough but not too big is a fine line that only the best fishing pocket knife can toe.
Budget
While fishing is an awesome activity that doesn’t have to break the bank, it isn’t free. You’ll have to invest in fishing poles, tackle, bait, and much more than just a best fishing pocket knife. If you spend too much on a knife, you won’t have enough room in your budget to purchase all the other essentials.
Overall Best Fishing Pocket Knife
Now that you know what to look for in a best fishing pocket knife let’s get started with our list of top options!
1. Kershaw Shuffle Folding Pocket Knife
The Kershaw Shuffle Folding Pocket Knife takes the top spot on our list as the best fishing pocket knife because it checks all the necessary boxes. It’s affordable but not cheap, and it can do everything you’d expect out of a fishing knife. This knife also comes in a variety of colors and with additional features that you can choose between to make it your own.
Kershaw Shuffle (8700BLK), Multifunction Pocket Knife
$23.27 in stock
The Kershaw Shuffle features a 2.4″ blade made of stainless steel. It has a special coating that helps it retain sharpness and makes it more durable and stronger. The handle is made of glass-reinforced nylon and is reversible, meaning that right-handed or left-handed people can use it easily. Pound for pound, this best fishing pocket knife is hard to beat thanks to its value and versatility..
Additionally, this knife has a little edge on the bottom of the handle that’s perfect for use as a screwdriver. You never know what you’ll need during a day of fishing, so it’s best to have a knife that can do it all.
Pros
- The handle is rust-resistant and slip-resistant, thanks to a special K-texture grip.
- Features a deep-pocket clip if you want it buried in your pocket.
- At just 3″ long in folded length, this knife can fit about anywhere
- Multi-use knife that’s great for hunting, fishing, or EDC.
Cons
- Though the blade is razor-sharp and strong, it’s not long enough to fillet larger fish.
Best Fishing Pocket Knife for a Budget
2. Smith & Wesson A25
Smith & Wesson is a company most renowned for their amazing firearms, but the SWA25 Folding Knife puts them at the top of the list for fishing pocket knives as well. Not only is the SWA25 perfect for fishing purposes, but it’s also ideal for everyday carry, hunting, and a variety of other activities requiring a best fishing pocket knife.
Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA25
$14.07 in stock
What sets this knife apart is that it’s made by a reliable brand and has a very affordable price. The blade is 3.3″ long and made of 7Cr17MoV high-carbon stainless steel that’s rust-resistant and waterproof. The handle is made of rust-resistant aluminum and features a slip-resistant grip making this knife easy to handle in all situations.
At just 3.5 ounces and right around 3.5″ in folded length, this best fishing pocket knife will fit easily and comfortably into your pocket or tackle box. Though easy to open, you won’t have to worry about this knife slipping open in your pocket since the liner chamber of the handle made to secure the blade features a simple locking mechanism.
Pros
- The blade and handle are rust-resistant and waterproof
- Very affordable price
- Easy-to-grip handle
- Ambidextrous thumb notches mean that you can use the knife with your right or left hand.
- The 3.3″ blade is razor-sharp and long enough to fillet a fish or do anything else you need to be done.
Cons
- The blade doesn’t retain its edge overly long
Best Fishing Pocket Knife for Heavy Duty Use
3. Case Yellow Fishing Pocket Knife
While most fishing pocket knives are capable of filleting fish, not all of them are specifically designed for it. However, if filleting fish and a razor-sharp blade are at the top of your priority list, the Case Yellow Fishing Pocket Knife is for you. This knife features two blades: one for filleting and one with a serrated edge for sawing through bones or heavy cutting.
Case Yellow Fishing Pocket Knife
It’s also hard to beat this knife’s old-school look and feel. It features a vintage yellow color with an ergonomically designed smooth and elegant handle. However, don’t be fooled by how fancy this best fishing pocket knife looks because this knife means business. It’s designed with a practical dual-blade. It offers a fish scaler with a built-in hook disgorger and a razor-sharp fillet edge for slicing up your catch.
Each of the blades is 3.4″ long and is made of tru-sharp stainless steel. The handle is composed of yellow synthetic and features a hook that’s perfect for pocket carrying. When this best fishing pocket knife is folded, the Case Yellow is 4.25″ long and weighs only 2.5 ounces. This is the perfect knife to carry with you daily.
Pros
- Sharp, multi-purpose, and practical blades
- Very compact and lightweight
- Vintage and elegant design that’s eye-catching
- Features a long clip blade and scaler with hook disgorger, a hook sharpening stone, and a smooth yellow synthetic handle
- Includes a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for saltwater fishing
- Slightly expensive but worth the investment
Other Options in the Running for the Best Fishing Pocket Knife
4. Victorinox Swiss Army Swisschamp Knife
While Swiss Army Knives aren’t traditionally thought of as good fishing knives, it only makes sense that they should be. Swiss Army knives, specifically the one in question, are tailor-made for running into unique situations and are designed to help you out in a pinch.
Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool, SwissChamp Pocket Knife
$67.10 in stock
1 used from $66.40
The Victorinox Swiss Army Swisschamp Knife is one of the most versatile, sleek, and compact Swiss Army Knives on the market. The exterior shell and handle is made of walnut wood, which gives this knife an aura of splendor and ruggedness.
Aside from the stellar appearance, this best fishing pocket knife includes thirty-three different tools that are rust-resistant, waterproof, and made of high-quality stainless steel. Among these tools there are several knives, a pair of scissors, a custom corkscrew, and so much more.
Although it’s packed with tools and features, this knife is short and compact enough to fit comfortably into your tacklebox, pocket, fishing vest, or anywhere else you want. Whatever your fishing needs are, the Victorinox Swisschamp best fishing pocket knife will get it done.
Pros
- Over thirty-three unique and useful tools for fishing.
- Waterproof and rustproof blades and handle
- Sleek and luxurious design thanks to the Walnut handle
- Just 3.6″ long when folded
Cons
- Slightly compact and bulky, but less so than most Swiss Army Knives.
5. Myerchin Gen 2 Titanium Crew Knife
If you have a little extra room in your budget, the Myerchin TF377 Gen 2 is possibly the best fishing pocket knife on the market. It didn’t garner the top spot because it’s right around $70 in price, which means it’s not for everyone. However, a little extra money will go a long way in the fishing world, and this knife is ideal for whatever you need.
Myerchin Knife Titanium Crew Pro
The Myerchin TF377 is built to last and is often used by military personnel, Navy Seals, and the Coast Guard. The blade is made of German Marine stainless steel, is 2.4″ long, and will resist everything outside of trying to cut through a rock. The handle is made of durable, rust, and water-resistant titanium and features an ambidextrous design for righties or lefties.
This knife also has a folding spike on the backside of the handle, which is perfect for gutting or killing fish. Regardless of what your needs are, this knife can get it done.
Pros
- You won’t find a higher-quality blade at this price point.
- Razor-sharp and retains its edge very well
- The spike on the backside is a nice bonus
- Extremely durable and resistant to almost everything
- Easy to open with one hand and also has a locking mechanism
Cons
- A little pricy, but worth the money
- The 2.4″ blade isn’t long enough for large fish
6. Spyderco Dragonfly 2 Lightweight Salt Knife
The Spyderco Salt 2 might be the best fishing pocket knife you’ve never heard of. It’s made in Japan, where fishing is possibly more popular and important than here and is meant to stand up to the harshest conditions. While most blades are at least somewhat rust-resistant, not all of them are meant to handle constant saltwater use, as the Spyderco Salt 2 is.
Spyderco Dragonfly 2 Lightweight Salt Knife
$78.59 in stock
The drop-point, hollow-grind blade is 3″ long and made of H1 steel alloy, and the handle is made of fiberglass-reinforced nylon. The blade, handle, and other components are designed to stand up to all conditions, no matter how harsh or salty they may be. The blade also has a unique hole in it that’s designed to reduce friction while you’re filleting fish or cutting bait.
At just a shade over two ounces heavy, this knife is compact, sharp, and means business. It’s also built to last and can be used easily by either hand. Whether you need a fishing knife, a hunting knife, or an EDC knife, the Spyderco Salt 2 fits the bill.
Pros
- Tough to beat the quality and durability of this knife
- All the components are non-rusting and waterproof
- Easy to open with one hand
- Protective back lock for added safety
Cons
- A little pricy
- The yellow handle is eye-catching but not for everyone
7. Sterling Brook Pocket Knife
If you want the best fishing pocket knife that everyone will know is meant for fishing, check out the Sterling Brook Pocket Knife. The design and shape of the knife in folded form looks exactly like an actual fish! The scale portion of the fish is made of hand-carved wood, and the tail is about as accurate as can be.
While the Sterling Brook fishing knife looks cute and somewhat cheesy, don’t let appearances deceive you. It’s one of the sharpest and most versatile fishing knives on this list. It’s also extremely high-quality, as the blade is made of heavy-duty stainless steel, and the handle is made of white oak wood that’s water-resistant and slip-resistant.
The blade is 3.5″ long, razor-sharp, and very durable. The knife also features a handy pocket clip that makes for safe and easy carrying. Whether you’re looking for a great fishing knife for yourself or an awesome gift for a friend or loved one, you should definitely consider the Sterling Brook.
Pros
- Unmatched design in the likeness of a fish
- Waterproof components
- Razor-sharp and durable blade
- Compact size and handy carrying clip
Cons
- The design is awesome, but it throws some people off
Wrapping Up the Best Fishing Pocket Knife
If you’re serious about wanting the best fishing pocket knife available, you should definitely consider one of the options on this list. Regardless of what type of fishing you do, your budget, or the environment in which you fish, one of them will fit the bill.
While we’re on the topic of knives, have you considered keeping a combat knife with you? Check out this list of The 6 Best Combat Knife Choices to find the best one for you.