Last week I had the occasion to help out a elderly gentleman ( 82 ) that had a treble hook from a crank bait through his thumb and the other in a 2+ lb drum. Needless to say it was a mess. Schrounged around in my boat and found 3 pair of needle nose with side cutters 2 of which would not cut the hook. The pair that would were almost to big to get where I needed to go and made it very painful for the gentleman I was working on. Finally got 2 barbs cut off and out of the way then I could get to the last one and got it out. Luckily I keep a first aid kit in my boat and was able to disinfect and put antibiotic ointment on his wound.
My whole point behind this story is to say, I have been telling myself to put a good pair of side cutters in my boat and had neglected to. If had it would have been much easier and more comfortable on this man. Also for those of you keep first aid kits and own a vacume sealer. Check your kit, if it's fresh and in order seal it up. I had sealed mine up over 4 years ago and when I opened it up everything was as new. I can't tell you the number of kits I have ruined over the years with them laying in the boat and getting wet. I also got 3 different cutters and vacume sealed them just for emergencies like this.