Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.
Reading Time: 14 minutesLast Updated on September 7, 2025 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
The 6 Best Survival Fishing Kits For Any Scenario
Key Takeaways
-
- A Survival Essential: A survival fishing kit is a highly effective way to secure a food source in an emergency, as fish are a reliable source of calories and can be caught almost anywhere. It’s often more efficient and reliable than hunting or trapping.
- Prioritize the Right Gear: A good kit isn’t just about the number of items. The best ones are chosen for their versatility, durability, value, and the inclusion of essential fishing supplies.
- Essential vs. Bonus Items:
- Must-haves: Hooks (at least 10), fishing line (50-foot minimum), lures/bait, and sinkers.
- Nice-to-haves: Bobbers, swivels, a multi-tool, and an automatic hand reel.
- Versatility is Crucial: The most valuable kits contain a variety of hook sizes, line weights, and lure types to handle different fish species and environments. For example, a kit should include hooks ranging from small for panfish to larger ones for bass or pike.
- Quality and Durability: The kit itself should be in a watertight container to prevent rust and line degradation. Look for high-quality materials, such as stainless steel hooks and durable braided lines.
- DIY is the Best Option: While pre-packaged kits are convenient, building your own DIY kit allows you to customize the contents to your specific needs, skill level, and environment. You can control the quality and ensure the gear is exactly what you need.
Fishing is one of my all-time favorite hobbies. It’s fun and relaxing, a great way to commune with nature, and one of my favorite ways to get delicious wild fish for dinner.
But in a survival situation, fishing is also one of the best ways to provide much-needed calories and energy. A well-stocked survival fishing kit can be a lifesaver, whether in a real SHTF scenario or simply lost on a hike.
I’ve compiled this list of the best survival fishing kits for any scenario. It includes compact bug-out bag options and larger, more comprehensive kits. I’ve also included tips on choosing a kit, what to look for in a good one, and even how to make your own DIY survival fishing kit.
- The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Fishing Hooks
- 22 Fishing License Questions and Requirements
- What Are The Different Types of Fishing Lines?
Why You Need A Survival Fishing Kit
Plenty of essential survival gear items exist, but a good survival fishing kit is one of the most overlooked.
Even the most well-prepared people can only pack so much extra food. Food is heavy, bulky, and prone to spoiling. If you’re going to be truly prepared, you need a reliable way to provide fresh food for as long as you have to.
That’s where a survival fishing kit comes in. Fishing is one of the easiest and most reliable methods of catching your dinner. Almost anywhere you find yourself will have some lake, river, or stream nearby, and nearly all support fish. That means a survival fishing kit will be helpful in most (if not all) survival situations.
Fishing can also be a passive activity, freeing up your time for other essential tasks. Though trapping and hunting are options, catching fish has the highest chance of success.
Any solid survival kit should at least include some fishing gear, but having the right gear is just as important as having any.
What Should Be Included in an Emergency Fishing Kit?
To catch fish, you need the right gear. Plenty of survival fishing kits boast several pieces or include weird gadgets, but the best ones share a few things. An essential survival fishing kit will be helpful if it provides value, versatility, quality/durability, and enough of the right items.
Essential Fishing Supplies
There are plenty of bonus items that can be useful, but every emergency fishing kit includes a valuable amount of all of these items:
- Hooks (at least 10, no matter the size of the kit)
- Line (I consider 50 feet to be the absolute minimum)
- Lures/Bait (At least five options)
- Sinkers (minimum of 10)
Then there are bonus items. These might not be found in a compact survival fishing kit, but they provide extra utility when you can afford the space and weight. Some of these include:
- Bobbers or floats
- Swivels
- Multi-tools
- Hand reels
- Automatic reels
- Self-snagging rigs (check local regulations before using)
- Gill-net (rarely legal, so use only in survival situations!)
- Collapsible fishing rod
- Survival knife
The value of these bonus items depends on your space or weight requirements. Collapsible fishing poles or gill nets are too heavy for backpacking, but might be great additions to your vehicle’s survival kit.
Versatility
Versatility is arguably the most essential part of any survival fishing kit. You never know where you’ll end up or what fish will be available, so your kit needs to work for every fish species and location.
Suitable kits will have an assortment of supplies for many different species. Multiple hook sizes, line weights, lures and baits, and sinkers are essential.
The hooks must range from small #8 panfish to at least #2 hooks for bigger fish. There should also be a few baitholders and circle hooks (because they set themselves).
Various line tests are ideal, with some 10-15 pound lines for smaller fish like yellow perch and something heavier for bigger fish like pike or bass. I like kits with monofilament for wary fish and some heavy braided lines for passive fishing.
Lures and bait selection vary significantly from species to species, so the best kits offer a choice of different colors and styles. Small rubber jigs are a must, and small spoons will catch almost anything. If the kit comes with bait (like salmon eggs or fake worms), then all the better.
A Split shot is the most helpful option for sinkers, but a good kit should include at least a couple of bullet or egg sinkers for passive bottom fishing rigs.
Quality/Durability
Having the right gear means nothing if it breaks when you use it. The best survival fishing kits utilize high-quality materials from reputable manufacturers and take steps to ensure they remain durable in your bug-out bag.
Your kit must be in a watertight package at the very least. Even a small amount of moisture will rust hooks and degrade the fishing line. Heavy plastic works best, but some metal tins can be excellent alternatives as well. Desiccant packets are a great bonus, as they help eliminate any moisture that might get in.
Then there’s the quality of the gear itself. This can be hard to assess, but if the kit lists manufacturers, you can bet they’re good ones. Stainless steel hooks are less prone to rust; the braided line is more durable than monofilament, and metal lures last longer than rubber ones.
That doesn’t mean that less durable options aren’t helpful or that everything needs to be bomb-proof. But the more durable your gear is, the better it will serve you in a survival situation.
Value
I’ve looked at many survival fishing kits that try to mark their prices based on stats like the number of pieces, special equipment, and even social media marketing hype. But hype doesn’t catch fish, and the best kits don’t need to be expensive.
The best-value kits are well-thought-out and include only things that you’ll use. Small instruction booklets also provide much extra value because even experienced anglers might not know survival fishing tactics.
With all that said, a good survival fishing kit shouldn’t cost more than 30 or 40 dollars. If you’re spending more than that, it’s safe to say you’re paying too much.
The Best Survival Fishing Kits For Every Situation
Without further ado, here are the best survival fishing kits. Every kit on this list is worth the money, but I’ve organized them by their best use to help you decide which one you need.
Best Overall: Vigilant Trails Survival Fishing Kit Stage 3
If I had to pick one do-it-all survival fishing kit, the Vigilant Trails Stage 3 would be my pick. It has just enough essential items to catch fish, along with some bonus pieces for passive fishing. Here are the specs:
- MSRP: $31.88
- Essential Contents: 8 hooks of various sizes (plus 2 jighead hooks), nine soft plastic lures, 10 sinkers (two 1/2 ounce bank sinkers and eight BB split shot), 50 feet of 20-pound monofilament line, 2 coated wire leaders, 1 clip-on bobber, 3 soft bait corn kernels
- Bonus Fishing Gear: Hand reel, self-snag hook, yo-yo automatic reel with line
- Tools/Extras: Small lock-back knife, hook remover, small line-cutter, high-vis paracord, first-aid kit, instruction booklet
Why It’s The Best Survival Fishing Kit
Overall, this kit is the best because it balances just enough essential contents, packability, and a few bonus features for passive fishing.
There are enough hooks in different sizes to catch fish (with backups), and the provided line works for just about anything. The lure selection is phenomenal, with giant worms in various colors, a few grubs for panfish, and jighead hooks for versatility. It’s all quality gear, too, and the watertight package will keep it that way.
I also appreciate that it comes with a detailed instruction booklet. There’s a page for tying knots and basic fishing rigs, as well as a page for tactics. It even gives you tips on catching fish in every season, time of day, and water body. These tips could ensure your fishing rig is ideal for your situation.
Best Feature
The best feature of this kit is its emphasis on passive fishing. The self-snag rig will set the hook on a fish, ensuring you land every fish that bites. And the automatic yo-yo reel can pull even medium-sized fish to the bank. You can set and forget it, but you still guarantee you’ll catch dinner.
Potential Drawbacks
The only drawback to this kit is that it includes some items you might already carry. You’ll likely already have a knife, and a paracord should be in every bug-out bag. These add a little weight and bulk that might be unnecessary for some people.
If it’s your main survival kit, these extra pieces are helpful and add to the kit’s versatility.
Most Thorough: Mil-F-6218 Fishing Kit
When weight and bulk aren’t an issue, the Mil-F-6218 is hands-down the most thorough option on the market. Everything in this kit is genuinely helpful, and the amount of backup gear is excellent for a longer-term SHTF scenario.
Here are the specs:
- MSRP: $49.99
- Weight: .61 lbs
- Essential Contents: Fishing instruction booklet, Container, Clear Plastic Treble Hooks, Size 1 Straight Shank Hooks, Size 9/0 Hooks, Size 6, Leader Packet, Assorted (8 Leaders and 2 Spare Snap Swivels), Line, Nylon, 18 lb. Test (50 ft.), Line, Nylon, 60 lb. Test (50 ft.), Mount Assembly, Assorted Hooks, Assorted Sailmaker’s Needles on Yellow Cloth Patch, Size 3 Safety Pins on Red Cloth Patch, Lure Spoon, No. 10 Treble Hook, Lure Spoon, Size 2 Treble Hook, Lure Spoon, Size 2, Red/White, Leader Knots and Hitches, Single Edge Razor Blade, Heavy Aluminum Foil for Cooking, Signal Mirror
- Bonus Fishing Gear: yo-yo automatic fishing reel, 20 swivels, 1 stringer
- Tools/Extras: multi-tool, slingshot band, slingshot ammo, zip ties, snare wire, razor blade, survival instruction booklet
Why It Made The List
There are plenty of survival kits out there that are loaded with stuff you’ll never use. But this comprehensive kit only has solid, multi-use survival supplies and plenty of them. It has more hooks, lines, and lures than any other kit on the list.
Best Feature
There’s no one “best feature” on this kit. Its best feature is ample backup gear and multi-use tools for any scenario. And it’s not just a fishing kit; it also includes some trapping and hunting gear for additional food-gathering options.
Potential Drawbacks
Although this kit is comprehensive, it includes items that some people may not have the necessary skills to use. If you prefer simplicity, the other kits on this list will save you some weight and space.
Best Ultralight: Uncle Flint’s Survival Fishing Kit
I don’t know who Uncle Flint is, but I do know that he makes a great fishing kit. Uncle Flint’s Survival Fishing Kit is the best regarding what you get for space and weight. It’s a small kit with significant value and has everything you need to catch freshwater fish. Here are the specs:
- MSRP: $29.99
- Weight: 5.6 oz
- Essential Contents: 18 assorted hooks (plus two treble hooks), 3 floating head lures, 50 feet of 20-pound fishing line, 50 feet of 40-pound line, 4 wire leaders, 6 soft plastic grubs, 10 sinkers, 2 bobbers
- Bonus Fishing Gear: 8 assorted swivels, a spinner, a spoon, a fly lure
- Tools/Extras: knot-tying instruction booklet, razor blade, 4 safety pins, aluminum foil
Why It Made The List
This is the best light fishing kit at 5.6 oz with 63 pieces of gear. Kits in this weight class rarely have as many hooks or fishing lines as this one, and the inclusion of treble hooks and a wide variety of lures makes this kit exceptionally versatile. It’s designed for freshwater fishing, but the line and leaders are heavy enough for saltwater if you add some heavier weights.
The gear is also of very high quality, so you can be assured it won’t disappoint you in the field.
Best Feature
Including a spoon lure (the most versatile fishing lure known to man) sets this kit apart from almost every other kit I’ve looked at. It’s a very active, highly productive lure and gives you an extra option when passive fishing isn’t working.
Potential Drawbacks
This kit doesn’t include a hand reel, so you must find or make one to keep your line organized. The tin isn’t perfectly watertight either, which could lead to durability issues depending on how and where it’s stored.
Best Ultralight Runner-Up: Best Glide ASE Survival Fishing Kit (Standard)
I had to add the Best Glide ASE kit to the list because the “best ultralight” kit was a close call. This kit is my runner-up because it’s light on hooks, sinkers, and lures, but it’s still a tremendous ultralight kit.
- MSRP: $21.95
- Weight: 4.1 oz
- Essential Contents: 9 assorted hooks (plus two treble hooks), 3 jigs, 50 feet of 12-pound fishing line, 8 weights, 4 wire leaders, 1 bobber, a tube of salmon eggs or crappie nibbles
- Bonus Fishing Gear: 25 feet of 30-pound pre-rigged “ready line”, 2 flies, 1 spoon
- Tools/Extras: 1 derma-safe utility knife, fishing instruction booklet
Why It Made The List
Though Uncle Flint barely beat Best Glide ASE for my favorite ultralight kit, this kit still deserves a spot on this list. It’s so small it could fit in a coat pocket, but it provides excellent versatility for catching freshwater fish. With the option of using flies, jigs, spoons, and even salmon eggs for bait, you have many options to up your odds of catching fish.
It’s also thoughtfully designed by survival specialists and assembled with high-quality gear.
Best Feature
The 30-pound “ready line” is, hands down, the best feature in this kit. It’s 25 feet of line pre-rigged with a hook, bobber, and sinker, so all you need to do is add bait, and you’re ready to fish. This is ideal for beginners or those who want to quickly catch fish without setting up a rig.
Potential Drawbacks
I want more hooks, sinkers, and soft plastics because this kit leaves little room for error. It’s a simple and small kit, so it shouldn’t be expected to provide weeks of food, but even a few more backup items would go a long way.
Honorable Mention: Rule The Wasteland Deluxe Survival Fishing Kit
The Rule: The Wasteland survival fishing kit doesn’t exactly fit into my categories, but I like this kit and think it deserves a spot on the list. It didn’t quite win any category because, though it has a lot of gear, it lacks true versatility. If you know what you’re doing, though, or you know it’s perfect for your area, this kit is of great value.
- MSRP: $32.95
- Essential Contents: 10 large hooks, 25 small hooks, 3 treble hooks, 1 jig head, 30 yards of 30-pound fishing line, 50 yards of 15-pound line, 8 grub lures, 1 minnow lure, 3 bobbers, 6 split shot sinkers, 3 egg sinkers, 3 wire leaders
- Bonus Fishing Gear: 1 fly lure, 12 bobber stoppers, 3 swivels
- Tools/Extras: 2 razor blades, 1 multi-tool
Why It Made The List
The Rule The Wasteland Deluxe Kit is ideal for anglers who already have a solid understanding of their techniques. It has a ton of gear for its size, and the variety should catch many different fish species.
Best Feature
Most survival fishing kits skimp on hooks, but this one has plenty in every size imaginable. You’ll have enough hooks for weeks of fishing if you can gather your live bait (like worms or grasshoppers).
Another great feature is its locking screw, which provides extra waterproofing. That’s unusual in a tin kit but adds a lot to durability.
Potential Drawbacks
The lack of an instruction booklet makes this kit less usable for people who don’t already have angling skills. It also doesn’t have enough lures to match its hook count, so you’ll need to be able to gather bait to take advantage of it entirely.
The Best Survival Fishing Kit: Build Your DIY Kit
There are many great canned kits, but the best kit will always be one you build yourself. You can match the contents to your needs and ensure the perfect size and weight. You can also buy the highest-quality gear for extra dependability.
This requires some angling knowledge to perfect, but here’s a quick rundown of what I put in my survival fishing kit.
Build Your Kit: Packaging Options
The best fishing kits have durable, waterproof packaging, so I prefer plastic. It doesn’t degrade like metal, and getting a good seal is easier. Some of my favorite options include:
- A 4-6 inch length of 1″ PVC pipe, with endcaps
- Heavy-duty quart-sized freezer Ziploc
- Pelican Marine Series waterproof phone pouch (truly watertight and floating)
You can explore options to fit your needs for durability, waterproofing, and size, but these three are great starting points.
Survival Fishing Essentials
My survival fishing kit is of the SHTF variety, so I like to load it up with hooks, lures, and split shots. If your kit is for backpacking and you want it to be lighter, you can omit a few items. Here’s roughly what I put in my kit:
- 30 hooks (5 #8 baitholders, 5 #4 baitholders, 5 #8 egg hooks, 5 #4 circle hooks, 5 #2 circle or octopus hooks, 5 #4 treble hooks)
- 5 1/8 oz jig heads
- 15-20 assorted split shots (a good variation from size B to size 5)
- 3-5 1/2 oz egg sinkers
- 100 yards of 30-pound braided fishing line (more durable than mono)
- 50 yards of 10-pound monofilament line (for leaders)
- 5-10 2-inch curly tail grubs (assorted colors)
- 5 Senko worm lures
- 1 small pack of salmon eggs (I like Atlas Mike Sac Attack)
- 2 spoons (1/8 oz Kastmasters)
- 3 foam or cork bobbers (foam and cork can’t break like plastic)
- 4 20-pound wire leaders
Storage/Organization Options
There are tons of creative ways to store your gear. The critical thing to consider when deciding how to organize your gear in your kit is how easy it will be to use and put away.
Regarding fishing lines, I like to wrap them around a small plastic sewing bobbin and secure them with tape. You could also wrap it around one of your cork bobbers to save space.
If I use a plastic bag for my kit, I’ll put anything sharp in a small pill bottle. That keeps the hooks from piercing the plastic bag. This includes my spoons, hooks, and any other lures.
Hooks and sinkers can be stored in their own small plastic bags. If you like to be super organized, you can secure your hooks into a small piece of cardboard and then place that in a small plastic bag.
Bait and lures can also be stored in small plastic bags designed for jewelry. I like to remove them from their original packaging to save space.
Optional Upgrades
The above contents cover the essentials, but there are a few things you can add to make your kit extremely effective. These add weight and bulk, so you must decide if they’re worth it. But some of my favorites are:
- Yo-yo automatic reel
- Fishing pole (the Emmrod Packer pack rod is an incredible compact option)
- Ultralight spinning reel
- Hand reel (the Ka-bar backpacker is a tremendous pre-made option)
- Slingshot caster (works best with heavier weights)
- Speedhook spring-loaded fish trap
- Knives, multi-tools, or extra cordage
The Emmrod pack rod is one of the most valuable pieces of extra gear because the coil spring lets you cast far with a tiny rod. It’s expensive and relatively heavy, so a small slingshot is another excellent way to cast farther.
Then, passive options like the yo-yo reel or speed hook military fishing kit add versatility and free up your time. In an SHTF scenario, options that allow you to set and forget for a while can be huge time-savers.
Finally, there are knives, multi-tools, and extra cordage. I don’t put these with my fishing gear because they’re already in my survival kit, but you should add them if you haven’t already done so. Utility knives or razor blades are ultralight and compact, and these tiny multi-tools are solid and light options.
Of all the optional add-ons, I think an automatic yo-yo reel is probably the most useful. But it all depends on your needs, so think about where you’ll keep the kit and when you might need it before going all out.
Final Thoughts
A well-stocked survival fishing kit is a critical, yet often overlooked, part of any emergency preparedness plan. The best kits are not necessarily the most expensive, but are those that offer a balance of essential, versatile, and durable gear.
While kits like the Vigilant Trails Survival Fishing Kit or the ultralight Uncle Flint’s are excellent choices for their specific uses, the ultimate recommendation is to build your own DIY kit. By doing so, you can perfectly tailor the contents to your needs, ensuring you have the most effective and reliable gear for any survival scenario.
