Imagine printing a fully functional fishing reel on your 3D printer, packing it in your bag, and casting a line within minutes of arriving at the lake. That's exactly what a maker called Baeoniq has just dropped onto Thingiverse — a complete survivalist fishing kit you can build with the printer sitting on your desk.
What is the Survivalist Fishing Reel?
The kit is a compact, all-in-one reel that bundles live bait storage, a hook compartment, and an easy-attach weighable bobber. The 2026 update is a refinement of an older design, now sturdier and — best of all for beginners — printable entirely without supports. That means no fiddly cleanup, no broken support towers, and no wasted filament. If you've ever spent twenty minutes peeling stringy supports off a print, you'll understand why this is a big deal.
The whole idea is portability. Bait the hook, cast the line, and anchor the reel to a nearby tree or rock with a lanyard. The reel holds your spot while you set up camp, prepare a fire, or just kick back and enjoy the quiet. It's a clever blend of practical outdoor gear and the kind of project that shows off what a hobby printer can really do.
How to print it well
Because the design avoids overhangs that need supports, your slicer settings can stay simple. Use a 0.4mm nozzle with a 0.2mm layer height for a solid balance of strength and speed. PETG is the smart material choice here — it's tougher than PLA and handles UV and damp conditions much better, which matters for any gear that will live outdoors. If you only have PLA on the shelf, that works too; just keep your finished kit out of hot cars.
- Infill: 25–40% with a gyroid or grid pattern for the load-bearing parts
- Walls: 3 perimeters minimum so the moving pieces don't flex over time
- Print orientation: follow the maker's included guide — small tweaks here make assembly much smoother
Try it on your printer
This is a great weekend build for anyone with an Ender 3, Bambu A1, or Prusa MK4. A spool of PETG from Flarelab will give you the durability you want for outdoor use, and a bit of TPU on hand is great if you'd like to add soft grip pieces. Whether you're packing for a real outdoor trip or just want a fun cabin gadget, this is one of those projects that turns your printer from a toy into a genuine tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is the fishing reel actually strong enough to catch real fish?
For small-to-medium freshwater fish it works surprisingly well, especially in PETG with 25–40% infill and 3 walls. It's not built for deep-sea fishing, but for trout, panfish, and casual lake outings it'll do the job.
Why is PETG better than PLA for this project?
PETG is tougher, less brittle, and shrugs off moisture and UV exposure — exactly the conditions outdoor gear lives in. PLA gets soft in a hot car and can become brittle in sunlight, which you don't want in a piece of fishing kit you're carrying into the wild.
How long does the full kit take to print?
Plan for 8–12 hours of total print time across all parts at a 0.2 mm layer height. You don't have to print everything at once — most makers split it across two or three print jobs over a weekend.
Do I need anything besides printed parts?
You'll want fishing line, a hook, and a small weight or bobber, all of which cost a few pesos at any sporting goods shop. Optional but helpful: a lanyard or paracord to secure the reel to a tree or rock once you've cast.
Is this a serious survival tool or more of a fun project?
Honestly, both. It's a great fun build that also genuinely works in a pinch. Treat it as a backup for camping or emergency kits — not a replacement for a high-end reel, but a real piece of gear when you need one.
Inspired by reporting from Adafruit 3D Printing.
