Fishing tools
Fishing Tools
Simple tools to help you choose the right fishing gear for your species, technique and conditions. Every one is free, works on a phone, and needs no account.
Featured tool
Fishing Setup Builder
Answer five short questions and get a complete setup: rod length, power and action, reel size, main line, leader and hook, each with the reasoning behind it.
- 1Choose your species and where you are fishing.
- 2Choose your technique and what is on the end of the line.
- 3Get a rod, reel, line, leader and hook — with the reasoning for each.
Tackle tools
Pick one part of the setup and get a specific answer.
Hook Size Finder
Get a hook size and hook style for what you are actually fishing, the sizes either side of it, and when to move up or down.
Open toolReel Size Finder
Find the reel class that fits your species, technique, water and line — and what that number does and does not tell you.
Open toolLine Selector
Mono, fluorocarbon or braid, what pound test, and whether this setup needs a leader and how strong.
Open toolRod and gear guides
Work out what the numbers printed on a rod actually mean for you.
Reference charts
If you would rather read the numbers than answer questions, start here.
Fishing Hook Size Chart
Every size from #28 to 12/0 with what each one is used for, and why the same number differs between brands.
Read the guideFishing Reel Size Chart
Spinning, baitcasting, conventional and fly reel classes with typical line capacity and what each size is for.
Read the guideFishing Line Size Chart
Pound test against typical diameter for mono, fluorocarbon and braid, and how to compare them fairly.
Read the guideFishing Rod Size Guide
What length, power and action each control, and how to read the specs printed on a blank.
Read the guideWhich tool do you want?
- Starting from nothing, or buying a first setup: use the Setup Builder. It covers all five parts at once.
- You have the rod and reel and just need terminal tackle: use the Hook Size Finder.
- You are buying a reel and the numbers mean nothing to you: use the Reel Size Finder.
- You are standing in front of a wall of line: use the Line Selector.
- You want to know what "medium heavy, fast" actually means: use the Rod Selector.
How the tools work
Your answers are matched against a rules table built from published tackle guidance and manufacturer specifications, then adjusted for water type, bait and experience. The same rules produce every recommendation on this site, so a species page and a tool can never disagree.
Nothing is generated on the fly by a language model, and nothing is influenced by a product. Read the methodology.