Do You Need a Survival Fishing Kit in Your Bug Out Bag?
Your bug out bag needs more than just food and water to help you survive. A survival fishing kit gives you a way to catch fresh food in emergencies. You can pack a small fishing kit with hooks, lines, and lures to catch fish almost anywhere without the need for an actual fishing rod (because, let’s be real, that’s not fitting easily in your bug out bag).
I have one in my Kelty Redwing pack that I have designated as my go bag in the event of an emergency. Do I also have other food in my bag? Sure. But having a small survival fishing kit is never a bad idea to have in your kit if you have the room.
This guide shows you the best fishing kits for your survival pack and survival gear.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- A basic survival fishing kit weighs under 8 ounces and fits in a pocket. It holds hooks, lines, sinkers, and small lures in a waterproof case.
- YoYo Automatic Fishing Reels use 60-pound nylon cord. They let you catch fish while doing other tasks.
- The Best Glide Survival Kit includes 50 feet of 12-pound line and six hooks in sizes #4, #6, and #8. These work in both fresh and salt water.
- Smart preppers pack both natural bait and artificial lures to catch different fish. Small bugs, worms, and salmon eggs work well as bait choices.
- Fish bite best at dawn and dusk. Look for spots near fallen trees and rocks where fish hide.
What is a Survival Fishing Kit?
A survival fishing kit packs basic fishing tools in a small, water-resistant container. The kit includes hooks, lines, sinkers, and compact reels to catch fish in emergency situations.
These kits serve as vital tools in bug out bags and INCH bags for food gathering during survival scenarios.
The US Government and many organizations rely on these portable fishing kits as part of their emergency plans. A good kit fits in a backpack pocket yet contains enough gear to catch freshwater or saltwater fish.
The best survival fishing kits blend lightweight design with high-quality tackle that works in tough conditions.
Key Components of a Survival Fishing Kit
A basic survival fishing kit packs small but is capable of catching fish. Your kit needs the right mix of basic tools and gear to help you catch food fast in any water spot.
1. Hooks, Lines, and Sinkers
Your survival fishing kit needs strong hooks, lines, and sinkers to catch fish. The Best Glide Survival Fishing Kit packs 50 feet of 12-pound fishing line with six hooks in sizes #4, #6, and #8.
Military survival kits use these same tools because they work in both fresh and salt water. Pack small split-shot sinkers to help your bait sink to the right depth.
Your fishing line must stay strong and ready for action. Store your hooks in a small plastic tube to keep them sharp and rust-free. U.S. Army and NATO forces trust these basic tools to catch food in survival spots.
Keep your gear dry in a waterproof container that fits nicely in your bug out bag. Smart preppers pick durable nylon line that won’t break under stress.
2. Lures and Bait
Lures work great as fish attractors in survival situations. Pack 6 small artificial lures that look like tiny fish — these catch bigger fish fast. The Best Glide Survival fishing kit gives you 1 swirly tail grub jig, 1 tiny shad jig, and 2 round jig heads for quick catches.
Small bugs and worms make perfect natural bait choices that take up little space in your bug out bag.
Smart preppers pack salmon eggs in their kits as fish love their bright color and strong scent. Mix up your bait options between artificial lures and natural choices to catch different fish types.
Keep the lures small and light —they work better for wilderness fishing and won’t weigh down your gear. Stick to basic jigs and spinners that have caught fish for years.
3. Compact Reels or Handlines
Compact reels give you a smart way to fish during an emergency. A Mechanical Fisher YoYo packs 9 feet of strong 60-pound nylon cord. This small tool fits right in your bug out bag and works without you watching it.
The flat trigger design makes it easy to use, and you can get a single reel for pretty inexpensive.
White’s Auto Fisher offers another good choice for survival fishing. You can set up several lines at once to catch more fish.
The handline style keeps things simple — no fancy parts to break or fix. These tools help you catch food without taking up much space in your gear.
Benefits of Including a Fishing Kit in Your Bug Out Bag
A survival fishing kit in your bug out bag gives you a reliable food source in emergencies. Let’s dive deeper and look at some of the benefits of having one in your kit.
1. Food Source for Survival
Fishing offers you a steady food supply in survival situations. Your survival fishing kit brings fresh protein to your table with less effort than hunting. The kit contains hooks, lines, and basic fishing tackle that fit right in your bug out bag.
YoYo Automatic Fishing Reels let you catch fish while doing other important tasks.
Your fishing skills turn lakes, rivers, and streams into natural food sources. The right fishing gear helps you catch different types of freshwater fish using simple methods. Small hooks work great for pan-sized fish, while larger ones catch bigger game fish.
Basic fishing equipment weighs next to nothing but delivers good value in emergency food plans.
2. Lightweight and Portable
A survival fishing kit takes up little space in your bug out bag. Most kits weigh less than 8 ounces and fit in your pocket. The Best Glide ASE kit packs small yet holds hooks, lines, and sinkers in a waterproof case.
Your kit needs to stay light for quick movement during emergencies.
Small fishing kits offer big value for preppers. The Readyman Wilderness Card fits in your wallet while giving you essential tools. You can store Southern Survival Limb Lines in tiny spaces.
These portable options let you catch food without carrying bulky poles or reels. Pack smart with compact gear that serves multiple needs.
How to Choose the Right Survival Fishing Kit
Pick a survival fishing kit with basic items like hooks, sinkers, and lines. Your kit needs size 10 hooks for catching small fish in streams. Best Glide ASE offers compact kits that are perfect for bug-out bags.
Uncle Flint’s survival fishing kit includes everything you need in one small package.
Your ideal kit should fit into a small tin and weigh less than 8 ounces. Pack both smaller hooks for panfish and larger ones for bigger catches. The best kits include 50-100 feet of fishing line, split shot sinkers, and a few basic lures.
Trotlines help catch fish while you handle other survival tasks. Simple hand lines work better than fancy poles in true survival situations.
Tips for Using a Survival Fishing Kit Effectively
A survival fishing kit needs proper handling to catch fish in emergencies. Your success depends on smart choices and good skills.
- Pack 50 feet of strong fishing line rated for 10-20 pounds in your kit.
- Store all gear in a small tackle box to keep items dry and ready.
- Test your fishing knots at home before you need them in the wild.
- Match hook sizes to local fish — small hooks for panfish, larger ones for bass.
- Learn three basic fishing knots: the improved clinch, palomar, and uni knot.
- Check your line for damage or weak spots every time you use it.
- Keep hooks sharp with a small file or stone from your kit.
- Place bright lures in clear water and dark lures in murky water.
- Use natural bait like worms or insects if your lures fail.
- Set up your gear near fallen trees or rocks where fish hide.
- Fish during dawn or dusk for better catch rates.
- Clean your gear after use with fresh water to prevent rust.
- Replace old line every six months to maintain strength.
- Carry spare hooks and weights in case you lose some.
- Practice casting without a rod using just your hand line.
What’s the Best Fishing Kit for Survival?
There really isn’t one. It comes down to your personal preferences, the amount you’re willing to spend, how big you want your survival fishing kit to be, and your ability to and still to actually use it when it counts.
Survival fishing kits pack small yet deliver big results in emergency situations. Your bug out bag needs this vital tool to catch food when other options run dry. Smart preppers keep compact fishing kits ready because they work well for both short and long-term survival needs.
Pack a quality kit with hooks, lines, and basic lures — it might save your life one day.
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FAQs
A survival fishing kit is emergency fishing gear that fits in your bug out bag. It has hooks, fishing line, and basic tools for catching fish when you need food.
Having emergency fishing kits helps you get food if you need to survive outdoors. It’s a smart part of preparedness that can help you catch fresh fish.
A basic kit needs fishing line, hooks, bobbers, and some paracord or twine. The Best Glide ASE survival fishing kit is a good starting point for most people.
No — packable fishing gear works better for bug out bags. Small, removable fishing poles give you enough function without taking up much space.
A basic kit is worth the money if you get quality hooks and durable line. You don’t need fancy gear meant for avid anglers.
Yes! You can make a hobo fishing kit with basic items from any fishing store. Just focus on functionality and getting items that work for freshwater fishing.
