How to Build a Survival Fishing Kit

When it comes to food in the wild, fish are one of the most reliable sources of protein you can secure. That’s why every outdoorsman and prepper should carry a survival fishing kit. Lightweight, compact, and endlessly useful, these kits turn a small pouch into a dependable way to put food on the fire.

Whether you’re camping, bugging out, or facing an emergency, the best survival fishing kit is one you’ve already built, tested, and know how to use.

→ Learn how to fish with our Fishing 101: Fishing for Beginners Guide

 

🎣 Why Carry a Survival Fishing Kit?

• Food Security – Fish are abundant in rivers, lakes, and coastlines.

• Low Weight, High Value – A few hooks and line take up almost no space but can feed you for days.

• Quiet & Discreet – Unlike hunting or trapping, fishing won’t give away your position.

• Versatile – The same kit can handle everything from hand-lining to trotlines.

When you practice fishing with a survival kit, you turn a handful of tools into a steady food supply.

⚡ What to Include in a Fishing Survival Kit

The best survival fishing kits all share a few essential items:

Hooks

Hooks – The heart of every fishing kit. Without hooks, your line is just a string. You can bend safety pins, paper clips, or even carve bone into gorge hooks if you have nothing else. But if you’re planning ahead, carry an assortment of steel hooks in multiple sizes and multiple uses. Space-conscious kits benefit from Grim Fishing Cards, flat reusable hook cards that tuck into your wallet or kit without bulk.

• DIY Options: Safety pins, paper clips, thorns, metal wire bent into hook, carved bone or gorge hooks.

• Recommended Gear: Assorted steel hooks in multiple sizes. If storage or space might be an issue consider Flat, reusable hook cards like Grim’s Fishing Cards. 

 Line

Line – Strong line means you can land fish without losing your gear. For reliability, though, pack at least 100 feet of monofilament in the 8–12 lb range, plus some braided line. To save space, Grim’s Spool Micro Tool carries 50+ feet of line in the size of a AA battery. Pair it with a Cordage Maker and you can even turn plastic bottles into backup cordage.

• DIY Options: Sewing thread, dental floss.

• Natural Options: Plant cordage like nettle or inner bark fibers.

• Recommended Gear: 100 feet minimum of monofilament (8–12 lb test), and braided line. For compact storage the Spool Micro Tool can hold 50+ feet of line and takes up the space of a AA battery. 

• TIP: For improvised and DIY cordage the Cordage Maker can turn plastic bottles into emergency cordage or line. 

 Weights

Weights – Sinking your bait to the right depth often makes the difference between catching fish and feeding mosquitoes. Improvise with nuts, bolts, washers, or smooth stones tied into the line. Natural options work, but reusable split shot or steel sinkers are compact and dependable. Pack a few in different sizes and you’ll cover most fishing conditions.

• DIY Options: Nuts, bolts, or washers tied into the line.

• Natural Options: Smooth pebbles lashed with cord, or with holes drilled in the center.

• Recommended Gear: Lead split shot or reusable steel sinkers.

 

 Lures & Bait Substitutes

Lures & Bait Substitutes – Fish don’t bite plain hooks, which is where lures and bait come in. If you’ve got room, carry a handful of small artificial lures. For ultra-compact setups, Grim’s Lure Cards give you lures as needed, flat-packed to fit even the smallest fishing kits. Some DIY Lure options include soda can tabs, foil, or bits of paracord tied to mimic movement. Natural finds like feathers, shells, or carved wood plugs also attract attention.

• DIY Options: Pull tabs, soda can shards, paracord, shiny foil.

• Natural Options: Feathers, shells, carved wood plugs, animal fur.

• Recommended Gear: An asortment of Small artificial lures. If space is an issue consider components for improvised lures, or flat-pack Lure Cards designed for survival kits.

Hand Casters: Compact Fishing Without a Rod

One of the smartest upgrades to a survival fishing kit is a hand caster. A hand caster is a compact spool that lets you throw line, retrieve, and store it with control, almost like a rod without the bulk. You can make one yourself by wrapping line around a stick or bottle, but purpose-built casters are sturdier and easier to use. Grim’s Spool Micro Tool is both storage and a basic hand caster, making it perfect for micro kits, or when space is at a premium in a smaller, or ultralight kit. With a hand caster, you can fish more effectively than with line alone, giving you reach, control, and a better chance at dinner.

Swivels & Snaps

Swivels and snaps may look like tiny pieces of metal, but they make fishing a lot smoother. A swivel is a small connector that keeps your line from twisting as your bait or lure moves through the water. Without one, your line can end up in a tangled mess that wastes time and may even cost you fish. Snaps let you quickly change hooks, lures, or rigs without retying knots every time. In survival situations, those saved seconds and less wasted line can make the difference between catching food and going hungry.

Knife or Tool

A small cutting tool is one of the most versatile extras you can add to your fishing kit. You’ll use it for trimming line, carving improvised floats, preparing bait, and cleaning fish once you’ve caught them. While any sharp blade works, something compact and dedicated means you’re not dulling your main survival knife on small tasks. A credit card-sized knife or a micro blade designed for EDC fits neatly in a pouch or wallet kit, ensuring you always have the right edge for the job

🌲 Bonus Additions for a Survival Fishing Kit

To make your fishing survival kit even more effective:

• Snare Wire – Doubles as trotline rigging.

• Fine Cordage – For improvised gill nets.

• Emergency Bait – Commercial bait pellets or attractants sealed in a straw or capsule.

🧰 How to Pack the Best Survival Fishing Kit

1. Choose the Container – A small nylon pouch, tin, or waterproof case.

2. Organize Hooks & Line – Wrap line on cards or spools, keep hooks in micro bags.

3. Add Weights & Lures – Store separately to prevent tangles.

4. Include Extras – Knife, snare wire, bait if space allows.

5. Layer Flat Tools – Dog Tag or Micro Fishing Tools slide into pockets with zero bulk.

The best setup is modular: a kit that can be carried alone or dropped into a larger bug-out bag.

Different Size Options for Survival Fishing Kits

Fishing kits don’t need to be big or complicated to put food on the line. You can scale them to fit your carry style, from a full pouch with everything you need down to a wallet kit that disappears in your pocket. Here are some popular sizes and why they work:

• Pouch Fishing Kit – A full-sized setup with line, hooks, sinkers, lures, and extras. Great for bugout bags, long trips, or keeping in the truck. ↗
• Altoids Tin Fishing Kit – A time-tested survival hack. Compact, sturdy, and customizable with hooks, line, swivels, and even a few small lures. ↗
  
• Small Fishing Kit – Palm-sized containers that can hold line, hooks, bobbers, and bait. Enough to get you started without weighing you down. ↗
• Micro Fishing Kit – Ultra-compact tools like Grim PAKs or micro hooks and line wrapped tight on a spool card. Disappears into a pocket until you need it. ↗
• Necklace Fishing Kit – Wearable tools like Grim Workshop’s Dog Tag Fishing Card let you carry hooks, line, and small rigs around your neck for instant access. ↗
• Keychain Fishing Kit – A tiny capsule loaded with hooks and line, or a micro hand caster clipped to your keys. Light, simple, and always with you. ↗
• Wallet Fishing Kit – Flatpack gear like Grim Survival Fishing Cards slide into your wallet. Dozens of hooks, lures, and even small saws in the space of a single credit card. ↗
  

 

Grim Tip Cards Waterproof Pocket Guides

Grim Tip Cards go hand-in-hand with fishing. Each waterproof, credit card sized guide is packed with quick, practical info on knots, rig setups, bait choices, and fishing techniques. Slip one into your wallet or kit and you’ll have the knowledge to turn line and hook into dinner. Imagine pulling out a card that not only survives the rain but also teaches you the knot you need to land a fish—it’s like having a pocket-sized fishing buddy.

Ready To Build Your Own Survival Fishing Kit?

A survival fishing kit is one of the smartest investments you can make for preparedness. It’s light, compact, and effective, turning a handful of gear into fresh protein and calories when you need them most.

Whether you build it with DIY improvisations, natural substitutes, or specialized flat-pack tools, the best survival fishing kit is the one you actually carry and practice with.