Fish tapes are an interesting tool that almost every electrician loves to keep in their toolkit as they make it so easier to run the wires through conduits without causing any damage to the cables.
That being said, if you are also looking for a fish tape for yourself, you have landed on the right page as we have already shortlisted some of the best fish tapes from the market for you. Choosing the right fish tape for yourself is completely on you, but make sure to check a few important things before buying such as:
- Length of the Fish Tape: Not all fish tapes are designed the same way. While some fish tapes are meant for small-scale applications, they are generally about 50 feet long. On the other hand, fish tapes meant for large outdoor conduits and underground wiring work are usually longer in length and can be up to 500 feet long in length.
- Material: In general, fish tapes are usually made of either steel or fiberglass material. Fish Tapes made of steel are more often used for small applications and are highly durable. Fiberglass fish tapes, on the other hand, are more flexible and run more smoothly through conduits.
- Width of the tape: Checking the width of the fish tape is also an important task that every buyer should do before buying. Make sure the width of the fish tape is not much, otherwise you won’t be able to use the fish tape in conduits with smaller diameters.
Although these three factors are more than enough to check in case you want to buy the best suitable fish tape from the list for yourself. However, if you are interested to know more about fish tapes, you can consider reading the detailed “Buying Guide” which is mentioned down in this article. So, now, without wasting any time, let’s jump directly onto the list and see all the fish tape options that we have shortlisted for you.
Best Fish Tape 2024 List
| Best Fish Tape | Length | Material | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klein Tools Fish Tape | 50 Foot | Steel | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Horusdy Fish Tape | 33 Foot | Fiberglass | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| StartFine Fish Tape | 40 Foot | Steel | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| RamPro Fish Tape | 100 Foot | Steel | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| KOOTANS Fish Tape | 11 Foot | Fiberglass | --- | Check On Amazon |
| Southwire FISH TAPE | 240 Foot | Steel | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Greenlee Fish Tape | 25 Foot | Steel | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Taxutor Fish Tape | 49 Foot | Fiberglass | --- | Check On Amazon |
| Happybuy Fish Tape | 492 Foot | Fiberglass | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Greenlee FTS438-65 Fish Tape | 65 Foot | Steel | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
Best Fish Tape Reviews
1. Klein Tools Fish Tape
Let’s start this list with one of the most popular brands that are well-known to make high-grade tools that come in handy for electricians.
Klein Tools offers this fish tape at very interesting pricing, and since its build quality is amazing, most people have rated it the best. The fish tape comes in a high-impact resistant shell that keeps the fish tape safe from damages. Although it can’t be damaged so easily as the fish tape is itself made of steel.
The length of the fish tape is about 50 feet and is almost ⅛ inches wide. That said, it’s one of the perfect tools for smaller applications as it can easily go into narrow conduits. Not just that, the fish tape also has measurement markings at every 1-foot distance that helps you measure the length of the conduit as well.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 50 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is ⅛ inches
- Made from Steel
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- The handle is large and grippy
- Compact design
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not ideal for large applications
2. Horusdy Fish Tape
In case you like to do DIY projects at home, this Fish Tape Pull Push Kit from Horusdy can be a good choice for you to pick.
This kit includes about 10 rods with threaded brass connectors that can be attached with each other to make a 33 ft. long fish tape. Each of the rods is 3.3 ft. in length and has a diameter of 3/16 inches which is good.
It’s a great fish tape kit to use if you want to work with narrow and small-size conduits. Moreover, since these rods are made from fiberglass, they are super-smooth to run through walls and help you complete your job in no time.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 33 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is 3/16 inches
- Made from Fiberglass and has brass connectors
- Comes with a 1-year long warranty
Pros
- Build quality is good
- Useful with narrow conduits
- Comes with a plastic storage case
Cons
- Connecting each rod is a time-consuming task
3. StartFine Fish Tape
Coming up next, we have a pretty decent fish tape option available from StartFine that claims that their steel fish tape has upgraded features and works better than most other options in the market, let’s see!
Well, this fish tape comes with a plastic coating that provides both agility and protection to the steel tape. Moreover, it also keeps it safe from damaging or high temperatures as well. Thanks to the plastic coating, this fish tape is also applicable for telecom, electrical, wall, floor conduit as well. Speaking of its length and width, it’s 40 ft long and has a diameter of 3/32 inches.
Pushing or pulling the cable with this fish tape is quite simple and easy as the red cap at the head of the fish tape grabs the cable perfectly and prevents disconnecting of wire in-between the process. In fact, the head of the steel wire is 360° rotatable, which helps the fish tape pass through conduit bends very easily.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 40 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is 3mm
- Made from steel and coated with plastic
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Made from high-grade materials
- Flexible and Rigid
- Stronger than fiberglass fish tapes
Cons
- No carry case included
4. RamPro Fish Tape
Next up, we have another handy and budget-friendly option from RamPro which is quite an ideal option to choose if you are looking for a long-size fish tape.
This fish tape is about 100 ft. long in length and has a width of ⅛ inches that makes it a great option for pulling cables and wires through or behind the ceiling, walls/drywall, conduit, PVC, pipe, vent, duct, hose, under carpet and similar applications.
Apart from that, the fish tape is made from steel, so you won’t have to worry much about the quality either. In fact, for additional protection, it comes in a high-impact resistant case that keeps the fish tape safe from damage. In addition, the fish tape also has a Multi-position handle that gives you a firm, steady grip while you work using this fish tape.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 100 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is ⅛ inches
- Made from Steel
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Made from high-grade materials
- Flexible and Rigid
- Stronger than fiberglass fish tapes
Cons
- No carry case included
5. KOOTANS Fish Tape
For those people who are looking for a smaller length fish tape, the KOOTANS 11 ft Fiberglass Wire Running Kit is one of the best options that we found in the market.
The design of this fish tape resembles one option that we have already discussed in this article above. Despite being available in one single joined tape, this one comes divided into 10 sections of 1.1 ft that you can connect and make it as long as 11 ft.
Moreover, the diameter of each rod is just 4mm so they can be used with narrow conduits easily. In fact, these fish tape rods are made from fiberglass which works better than steel and glides through conduits effortlessly. In addition, you get to attach up to 4 different head options with the fish tape, so it becomes easier for the users to work with any kind of cable.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 11 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is 4mm
- Made from Fiberglass
- Comes with 6 different accessories
Pros
- Brilliant build quality
- Highly flexible and strong
- Simple to use
Cons
- Connecting the rods is time-consuming
6. Southwire FISH TAPE
In case you are looking for a high-end fish tape that has good construction and long-length as well, the Southwire – FTS1/8-240 FISH TAPE is one good option that you can check out.
This fish tape comes in a fairly compact housing, so carrying it along with other tools is not going to be a difficult task for anyone. Moreover, the casing of this fish tape is extremely sturdy and provides good enough protection to the steel fish tape.
Speaking of its dimensions, the fish tape is almost 240 feet long and ⅛ inches wide which makes it one of the best options for home applications. Moreover, the handle of the fish tape is designed ergonomically and provides a decent grip and holding angle to the users.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 240 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is ⅛ inches
- Made from Steel
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Length is quite long
- Extremely rigid and flexible too
- High build quality
Cons
- A little pricey
7. Greenlee Fish Tape
Next up on this list, we have this affordable fish tape option from Greenlee that you will most probably like due to its handy and comfortable design.
In this fish tape, you get a hard casing outside which covers the steel fish tape and provides it optimal protection. Unlike other fish tape options, this fish tape comes with a rotating pulling handle that helps to pull the wire through conduits conveniently.
If we talk about the length of this fish tape, this steel fish tape is about 25 feet in length, hence, you can definitely consider purchasing it for you like doing DIY projects at your home. Even for small projects, we recommend this option for professional electricians too since it is so compact and easy to handle.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 25 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is ¼ inches
- Made from Steel
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Has a large handle grip
- Features a high-impact case
- A hole in the tip helps pull cable conveniently
Cons
- The quality of the winder could be better
8. Taxutor Fish Tape
For those of you who are looking for an affordable fish tape option, this fish tape option from Taxutor is one of the best and most affordable options present on this list.
It’s a fairly simple tool to use as you get a long fish tape of 49 feet in length which is ready to use as soon as you receive the package. Since the diameter of the tape is just 4mm, it can be used with narrow conduits very easily.
Apart from that, this tape is made from flexible fiberglass instead of steel, thus, it’s highly convenient to use and won’t cause any damage to the cables as well as the conduits. It’s not only flexible but also rigid at the same time, so passing it through the conduits is definitely an effortless process. Moreover, the material is lightweight, aging-resistant, and corrosion-resistant too.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 49 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is 4mm
- Made from Fiberglass
Pros
- Highly flexible and durable
- Little to no maintenance is required
- Corrosion-resistant material
Cons
- No mention about the warranty
9. Happybuy Fish Tape
In case you want a fish tape or duct rodder for large-scale applications, the Happybuy Fish Tape is quite a good option to choose as it’s fairly long in length as well as designed well for heavy-duty works.
The size of this duct rodder is fairly big as it’s purposely designed for outdoor heavy jobs. The fish tape is itself 492 ft. long, so you can suppose it’s a good pick for underground wiring such as telecommunications, walker duct, etc. The cable has a diameter of 8mm and it’s made of epoxy fiberglass and covered with high-grade ABS material on the outside.
The fish tape comes with a durable steel reel stand that is extremely sturdy and is completely non-conductive as well. Moreover, it’s rust and corrosion-resistant and also features a robust brake level as well that helps you control the fish tape and hold it in position.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 492 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is 8mm
- Made from Fibreglass and coated with ABS
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Durable Steel Reel Stand
- Strong Bending Property
- Hand-held bracket for portability
Cons
- Expensive
10. Greenlee FTS438-65 Fish Tape
Although we have already discussed one option from Greenlee in this list already, the brand is so popular and has a wide range of fish tapes available, so here’s another option that you might like.
This fish tape is highly recommended for the electricians out there, thanks to its rigid body design and long length. The case is high impact resistant and offers decent protection to the fish tape which is good. Apart from that, the fish tape case also features a handle at the top that helps the users to manage the tape and hold it comfortably.
If we speak about the dimensions, this fish tape has a length of 65 feet and is just ⅛ inches wide. That said, running it through narrow conduits won’t be a problem at all. Hence, it’s a perfect tool that every electrician should have in their toolkit. Moreover, the quality of the tape is absolutely robust as it’s made from high-quality oil tempered steel.
Best Features
- The length of the fish tape is 65 ft.
- The width of the fish tape is ⅛ inches
- Made from Oil Tempered Steel
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros
- Adequate pricing
- Comfortable and ergonomic design
- Highly durable and long-lasting
Cons
- The handle is made from plastic
Factors to Consider When Choosing Fish Tapes
In fishing, having the correct gear can greatly affect your success. Fish tapes, also called fish rods or cable pullers, are crucial tools for both anglers and professionals. When choosing a fish tape, it’s important to consider a few key factors to make sure it fits your needs.
1. Length and Thickness
Fish tapes are available in different lengths, from short ones to really long ones. The length you pick should match how deep and how far you need to reach. Thicker fish tapes are tougher and can handle heavier loads, but they might be harder to use in tight spots. So, consider these factors when choosing the right one for your needs.
2. Material Quality
It’s essential to think about the material it’s made of. Fish tapes are commonly crafted from fiberglass, nylon, or steel. Fiberglass ones are lightweight and flexible, great for maneuvering through tight spaces. Nylon tapes are strong and don’t easily kink. Steel tapes are highly durable and can handle tough tasks with ease. Consider these qualities to pick the right fish tape for your needs.
3. Durability
It’s crucial to prioritize durability to ensure it can handle frequent use without wearing out. Opt for fish tapes made from top-notch materials with strengthened ends and joints to minimize the risk of damage. Also, take into account aspects like resistance to corrosion and impacts, particularly if you’ll be working in tough environments or under demanding conditions.
4. Flexibility
It’s vital to think about its flexibility, especially if you’ll be working in tight spots or around obstacles. Flexible fish tapes can bend and maneuver smoothly, making it easier to reach tricky areas. Aim for fish tapes with good flexibility, but watch out for ones that are overly flexible, as they might kink or bend too easily.
5. Grip and Handle Design
Opting for a comfortable and ergonomic handle can greatly enhance your ability to use the tape smoothly and efficiently. Seek out fish tapes that feature non-slip grips and ergonomic handles, ensuring you have maximum comfort and control, especially during prolonged use.
6. High Visibility Markings
To measure depth or distance accurately, it’s important to have clear and visible markings on the fish tape. The best fish tapes have markings that are easy to see, even in low-light or murky conditions. These markings help with precise positioning and stop the tape from being extended or retracted too far.
7. Tangle-Free Retrieval
High-quality fish tapes are known for their tangle-free retrieval systems, making them easy to use without any snags. These tapes come with anti-kink or anti-snag features, reducing the chances of tangling or jamming. This ensures smooth cable pulling and easy retraction, without any frustrating interruptions.
Fish Tape – FAQs
Ans. Fiberglass fish tapes are highly appreciated for several characteristics such as flexibility, their corrosion-resistant nature, and even their aging resistance too. So, in a way, fiberglass fish tapes have a longer lifespan than steel fish tapes, so we can say that they are better than steel fish tapes in a way.
Ans. To pass new wiring through electrical conduits, fish tapes are required as they make the job a lot easier to do. Otherwise, if you try to push a wire through the conduit without a fish tape, it might take ages, and you may even end up damaging the wire from the inside. And, in the case of metallic conduits, damaged wiring can be extremely dangerous.
Ans. If you love doing DIY projects, we would recommend you go for a fish tape that is about 25-50 feet in length as it’s completely manageable. However, if you want a fish tape for professional work, you should carry a fish tape at least 100 feet in length.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve covered top fish tape options available in the market, making it easy for you to find the right one for your needs. We’ve detailed key features for comparison and included a buying guide for new customers. If you’re still unsure, our personal recommendation can help you make a decision.
- Klein Tools Fish Tape is one of the most popular tools brands out there, hence, we highly recommend you the Klein Tools Fish Tape. It’s made from high-grade steel material and is almost 50 feet in length.
- For DIY projects, consider the 33′ Horusdy Fish Tape Pull Push Kit. It includes 10 fiberglass rods, easily connecting to form a 33-foot cable. Quality is excellent with brass connectors, and pricing is fair, backed by a 1-year warranty.
- For professional tasks, consider the RamPro Fish Tape, a 100-foot Spring-Steel Fish Tape Reel with impact-resistant casing. Its ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable grip and portability. Plus, it comes with a generous 1-year warranty.
