“Fish for the wire” is the term electricians use when you want to run it through a conduit and pull it out at the other end. Electrical fish tapes make it possible for anyone, especially electricians, to run the wire through conduits where fingers and excessive wire pushing won’t ever help you progress with your current wiring project.
However, with the hundreds of excellent electrical fish tapes available in the market, it might be difficult to find the best ones that will give you that professional performance you greatly need. Here are eight great electrical fish tapes many professional electricians use from renowned manufacturers that you should consider using.
Klein Tools 56005 1/4″ Wide Steel Fish Tape, 25-Foot
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High-quality steel guarantees long-term lifespan and exceptional durability, which are two important characteristics electrical fish tapes should have. Klein’s Wide Steel Fish Tape is about 25 feet, has a no-snag plastic tip, and is a high-strength spring steel fish tape. The spring part makes them effective for pulling dense and heavy wires across walls and conduits
- Laser-etched markings for foot marks
- Great for short conduit runs or fishing wire behind residential walls covered in drywall.
- Stable tension for efficient pushing and pulling of wires without any burns or tarnishes
- Conductive to electricity
- Can be a bit tricky for straight open runs such as commercial drop ceilings.
- Only 25 feet of length
RamPro 100 Foot Reach, Spring-Steel Fish Tape Reel
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With over 100 feet of tape, RamPro’s spring steel electric fish tape can take your wires from the first floor to the third floor without any issues. In addition, this makes it efficient with rooftop operations in commercial buildings, especially if you’re dealing with drywall, conduit, and insulated walls.
- Can handle all type of electrical wire sizes used in residential or commerical construction
- 100 ft length for fishing wires in long conduit runes or between multiple floors.
- Sometimes the fish is hard to get back to its case after frequent use.
Greenlee Fish Tape, 1/8 In x 250 ft, Steel
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An affordable fish tape that’s simple and straightforward to use, Greenlee’s fish tape has laser-etched 1-inch markings on the wire, ensuring it won’t fade for a very long time. Unlike most grips, Greenlee’s fish tape has a comfortable grip over-mold for efficient usage in the field. Great for any electrician who just needs a lengthy fish tape without all the fuss.
- 250 feet for pulling wire through really long conduit runs underground or in factories.
- Affordably-priced almost anywhere
- Sturdy but flexible enough to pull wires in conduit runs that are not straight.
- Steel tape length might be too much for its frame
- Tape tip seems unsecure despite manufacturer’s assurance
- Can jam due to length
Klein Tools 56001 Fish Tape, 50-Foot Steel Pull Line
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Klein has a huge variety of electric fish tape for any kind of operation. If you needed a longer-than-25-foot steel pull line, then this fish tape is a great buy. If you’re pulling heavy-duty steel wires, need some laser markings that won’t fade easily, and has an excellent but small grip, this is the fish tape you’re definitely looking for.
- Laser-etched markings that won’t fade easily
- Longer than the 25-foot variant
- Can handle the heaviest wires out there
- Can get worn out and harder to retract with frequent use
- Feels a little cheap when it comes to construction and integrity
Klein Tools 56058 Fish Tape 100-Foot Non-Conductive Fiberglass
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Another Klein classic, this fish tape is one of the longest yet most stable electrical fish tapes available out there. With multiple grooves, you won’t have any problems when it comes to friction. The most helpful from this 100-foot grooved fiberglass snake is the slope. Any electrician who had used a long-feet tape knows that a sloped groove makes things much, much easier.
- Non-conductive fish tape perfect for electric cables
- Multiple grooves help reduce friction without wires
- Reel in 15% more tape in a single revolution thanks to its 13-inch case diameter
- A bit bulky because of its case
- The tip might fall off after a few uses — so beware and consult the warranty
Gardner Bender EFT-15 Mini Cable Snake
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One of the most affordable steel fish tapes in the market, Gardner’s Bender EFT-15 Mini Cable Snake is a great problem-solver if you needed an electric tape that needs to travel a short distance. It’s one of the best and handiest cable snakes out there.
- Simple to use and quite small
- Twist and pull extension and retraction controls
- Low-memory tape guarantees no curling with repeat use.
- Feels a bit cheaply made
- Unhealthy diameter size can cause hand injury during retraction.
Greenlee 438-2X Fish Tape
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Another low-price and compact fish tape similar to Gardner Bender EFT-15. These fish tapes are perfect for most electrical projects, but they might feel cheaply made when you compare them to other high-quality fish tapes we listed here.
- Compact and small at 1/4 inch diameter
- Over 25 feet
- You can fit it anywhere and handle projects effectively
- Manual retraction cranking
- Feels cheaply made
Best Fish Tape For Walls – 11′ Fiberglass Pull Push Kit
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If you’re going to run wires through your walls, attics, and even subfloors, Horus DY’s wire running kit is one of the best fish tape set you can own. You have 10 rods with threaded brass connectors and it comes with its own nifty plastic storage case.
- 10 rods with threaded brass connectors
- Made of fiberglass; perfect for electrical wires
- Flexible acrylic push and pull rods
- Incompatible with US rod attachments
- Tips can break too easy
- A little flimsy
Finding the Right Tool to Fish Wires Shouldn’t Be Difficult!
If you’re hunting for the best fish tapes to get your electrical projects rolling, you won’t have many problems finding the perfect one using our list. These brands come highly recommended, but make sure you always read the overall review and experience of users to find the best one for you. With the best chances of finding the right fish tapes on this list, you can save time and money by purchasing the perfect tape today!
