Hooked on Paracord: 'REEL' Fishing Tips & Tricks

You already know paracord is versitile, durible, reliable... everything your ex was not. What you might not know, is that this this humble cord can catch fish, hold your catch and even be made into a DIY lure! Real anglers swear by it, and we have the stories to prove it. 

And yes, these aren’t just hypothetical tips — real anglers actually do this.

Its whats inside that counts...

Take the inner strands, for example. Peel back the outer sheath, and you’ve got several thin but surprisingly strong fibers. People online swear by them as emergency fishing line. On ParacordForum.com, users talk about using these strands to fish, repair cast nets, and even set limb lines. Over on Reddit’s r/Fishing_Gear, a survival instructor showed a group how to catch fish using nothing but a strand of paracord and a hook. Not everyone got lucky, but a few people actually hauled in fish! “Our survival instructor showed us how to fish using a strand from paracord and a hook fashioned from wire. A couple of us actually caught small fish around one pound,” a Reddit user shared.

A Stringer that is reliable 

Buying your own stringer you always take a gamble with the quality, and the potential to lose your big catch! Traditional metal chains can rust or bend, but paracord? Solid. Anglers rave about how it keeps their catch secure. Tommy, a self proclaimed paracord fisherman, loves the bright colors and the reliability of the cord — it’s tough enough to hold everything from panfish to bass, whether tied to a dock, kayak, or shoreline. Brandon, a long-time fisherman, wrote, “After losing several large fish off a stringer because they pulled and bent the o-ring, I switched to paracord. Haven’t lost a fish in four years.”

                     

A Lure to your liking

And let’s not forget lures. Yes, paracord can even become a DIY fishing lure. Have you found yourself in the store and you can't quite find what you are looking for? Imagine making your very own secret fishing weapon that only YOU can wield! Field & Stream explains how to secure a hook inside the cord and use the exposed fibers as a feathery tail. The colors and movement in the water are surprisingly effective for attracting fish like panfish and trout. Suddenly, a simple piece of cord becomes a tool that’s both clever and functional — perfect for survival fishing or minimalist trips.

                     

Beyond these, paracord pops up everywhere in anglers’ packs. Reddit users talk about using it to repair nets, lash gear together, or even stash strands in survival bracelets for emergencies. Its adaptability is what keeps people coming back — whether for a planned fishing trip or an unexpected adventure, paracord is ready to go.

So next time you head out, think beyond bracelets. Pull a few strands for a quick line, rig a stringer, or even craft a makeshift lure. Paracord isn’t just a survival tool — it’s a fishing ally that’s been tested on the water by real anglers.

Have your own paracord story? Let us know! Send us your submission to social@paracordplanet.com for a chance to be feaured in our next blog post!