Shimano CT-561P Fishing Pliers Review
Our verdict
The Shimano CT-561P fishing pliers cost $34.99, nearly matching the CT-562P's $34.98, but the spec sheet lists Plastic rather than stainless steel as the material. It holds a 4.6 star rating across 544 reviews, solid numbers, though bought last month of 50+ is the lowest recent purchase figure among the pliers in this comparison.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers who want the Shimano name and a 4.6 star rating across 544 reviews, and who are not concerned that the material is listed as plastic rather than the stainless steel used on the CT-562P.
Skip if
Skip it if you want a metal build for the $34.99 price point, since the spec sheet lists Plastic here versus the stainless steel CT-562P at nearly the same cost, and note that bought last month sits at just 50+.
- Material Plastic
- Weight 0.1 Kilograms
- Color Black
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Priced 192% above the category median ($11.99 across 104 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 544 owner ratings
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Popularity3.8/5
544 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
Two Shimano pliers sit almost side by side on price in this comparison, the CT-561P at $34.99 and the CT-562P at $34.98, yet the spec sheets tell different stories about what you get for that money. Where the CT-562P lists stainless steel, the CT-561P's material field reads Plastic, a notable difference for anglers expecting a metal tool at this price.
On rating, the CT-561P holds 4.6 stars across 544 reviews, matching the star average of the Texas SR-5, Rapala RCP6, and Booms BFFPX0178B10, and it has more total reviews than the Texas SR-5's 396 and the Shimano CT-562P's 346, though fewer than the Berkley hemostat's 848 or the Booms pair's 2,800. It weighs 0.1 kilograms and ships in black as a single piece, the same weight and color as its stainless steel sibling.
The figure that stands out most is bought last month, listed at 50+, one of the lower recent purchase counts in this comparison, ahead of only the Texas SR-5's 0+ and well under the Berkley's 500+ and the Rapala's 200+. For buyers focused on price and rating alone, the CT-561P holds up, but the plastic material and modest recent purchase volume are worth weighing against the stainless CT-562P.
Pros
- 4.6 star rating across 544 reviews, more total reviews than the Texas SR-5 or Shimano CT-562P
- 544 reviews is a solid sample size within this comparison
- In stock, sold as a single black piece
- Shimano brand name on a plier priced near its stainless steel CT-562P sibling
- 0.1 kilogram weight matches the stainless CT-562P for a similar in-hand feel
Cons
- Material is listed as Plastic rather than stainless steel, unlike the similarly priced CT-562P
- Bought last month of 50+ is one of the lowest recent purchase figures in this comparison
- At $34.99, it costs about the same as the stainless steel CT-562P without matching material
- Fewer reviews than the Berkley hemostat's 848 or the Booms pair's 2,800
Specifications
| Material | Plastic |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.1 Kilograms |
| Color | Black |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
Performance notes
The CT-561P lists Plastic as its material, a notable departure from the stainless steel used on its similarly priced CT-562P sibling and on the Texas SR-5. Plastic components on a plier typically show up in the handle or housing rather than the cutting or gripping jaws, and they can shave weight or cost from manufacturing, though the listing does not break down which parts are plastic versus metal. At 0.1 kilograms, the CT-561P weighs the same as the CT-562P despite the different material, which suggests the overall size and design share a common frame. It ships in black as a single piece, matching its stainless sibling in color and packaging. For anglers who fish mostly freshwater and are less concerned about corrosion resistance, a plastic-inclusive build may hold up fine, but saltwater use tends to favor stainless steel.
What buyers say
A 4.6 star average across 544 reviews puts the CT-561P on solid footing, ahead of the Texas SR-5's 396 reviews and the Shimano CT-562P's 346 in terms of review volume, though behind the Berkley hemostat's 848 and the Booms pair's 2,800. Where the pattern shifts is bought last month, listed at 50+, the lowest figure in this comparison aside from the Texas SR-5's 0+. That gap between a respectable review history and modest current purchase volume suggests the CT-561P built its reputation over time but is not currently the fastest mover next to the Berkley's 500+ or the Rapala's 200+.
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Frequently asked questions
How does the CT-561P differ from the Shimano CT-562P?
Both cost about the same, $34.99 versus $34.98, and both weigh 0.1 kilograms in black, but the CT-561P lists Plastic as its material while the CT-562P lists stainless steel. The CT-561P also has more reviews, 544 versus 346, but a lower recent purchase figure of 50+ versus 100+.
Is 50+ bought last month a good sign?
It is the lowest recent purchase figure in this pliers comparison apart from the Texas SR-5's 0+, well behind the Berkley hemostat's 500+ and the Rapala RCP6's 200+. It does not undercut the plier's 4.6 star rating, but it does suggest lighter current demand than several alternatives.
What is the CT-561P made of?
The listing names Plastic as the material, weighing 0.1 kilograms and finished in black as a single piece. That differs from the Texas SR-5 and Berkley hemostat, both of which name stainless steel or a documented metal, and from the CT-562P sibling, which also lists stainless steel.