Fishing is a hobby where every detail matters. The wrong lip angle on a lure, an awkward tackle box, no decent rod holder on the boat \u2014 all of this affects your results and how much you enjoy the process. That\u2019s why experienced anglers are turning to 3D printing more and more: being able to create any accessory exactly for your needs takes preparation to a whole new level.<\/p>\n
In this article we look at what can be printed for fishing, which materials to choose and what to pay attention to when ordering.<\/p>\n
One of the most popular requests is making lures of your own design. 3D printing lets you experiment with the body shape, the angle and size of the lip and the position of the hook eyes. You can create a lure that imitates a specific baitfish from your local water or reproduce an expensive branded lure that\u2019s no longer on sale.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s important to know:<\/p>\n
Read more about the properties of each material in our comparison of PLA, PETG and TPU<\/a>.<\/p>\n Standard boxes from the shop rarely suit your tackle perfectly. Some fish with micro-jigs and need lots of small compartments; others carry big lures that don\u2019t fit in any box. 3D printing solves this problem completely.<\/p>\n What you can make:<\/p>\n For organisers that don\u2019t come into direct contact with water, PLA<\/strong> is perfectly suitable \u2014 it\u2019s cheaper, prints well and gives a smooth surface. If the box will get wet (for example, for live bait), choose PETG<\/strong>. More about the available materials<\/a> on a separate page.<\/p>\n A rod holder is something that\u2019s almost impossible to buy in a universal version. Every boat has different gunwales, tube diameters and angles. The bank has its own conditions: some fish from a jetty, some from a chair, some standing.<\/p>\n PETG<\/strong> is recommended for all holders: it\u2019s stronger than PLA, resistant to UV and moisture and copes with mechanical loads.<\/p>\n The reel seat on your favourite spinning rod broke? The standard reel handle doesn\u2019t suit you? 3D printing helps here too. You can make:<\/p>\n These parts carry constant loads, so they\u2019re printed in PETG<\/strong> with increased infill (80\u2013100%) for maximum strength.<\/p>\n Besides holders for fishing, you often need stands for storing rods at home, in the garage or in the car. 3D printing lets you make a compact wall rack for exactly the number of rods you have or an insert for the car boot so spinning rods don\u2019t knock against each other.<\/p>\n A simple but very useful accessory. It prints as a single part and needs no assembly. You can make a hook remover with a comfortable handle, a hole for a cord (to wear around your neck) and a grip shape optimised for the hook sizes you usually use. Material \u2014 PETG<\/strong>, since contact with water and fish is unavoidable.<\/p>\n Specific fishing conditions sometimes call for a float that simply isn\u2019t on sale: extra heavy for strong currents, extra sensitive for still water, with an unusual antenna for better visibility. 3D printing in PETG<\/strong> or PLA<\/strong> (for calm fresh water) lets you create a float of any geometry and carrying capacity.<\/p>\n A separate category is custom mounts for fish finders and their sensors. The standard mount supplied in the box rarely sits perfectly on a particular boat. With 3D printing you can make:<\/p>\n The material is PETG<\/strong> only: constant contact with water, sun and motor vibration demands maximum resistance.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find a comparison of these materials with their technical specifications in the article PLA vs PETG vs TPU<\/a>.<\/p>\n The process is simple. If you have a ready-made 3D model (for example, one found on Thingiverse or Printables), send the file and we\u2019ll work out the cost. If there\u2019s no model, we\u2019ll tell you where to find a ready-made one (on Printables, Thingiverse or MakerWorld) or who can make it. We\u2019ll help you choose the material and print a part that really works on the water.<\/p>\nTackle organiser boxes<\/h2>\n
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Rod holders: for the boat and the bank<\/h2>\n
Boat holders<\/h3>\n
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Holders for bank fishing<\/h3>\n
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Reel seats and reel handles<\/h2>\n
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Rod stands, hook removers and floats<\/h2>\n
Stands for storage and transport<\/h3>\n
Hook removers<\/h3>\n
Floats in non-standard shapes<\/h3>\n
Fish finder mounts<\/h2>\n
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Which material to choose: a quick cheat sheet<\/h2>\n
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How to order 3D-printed fishing accessories<\/h2>\n