Best Electrical Fish Sticks and Wire Fishing Tools

Electrical fish sticks (fiberglass rods that link together) and wire fishing tools allow electricians and DIYers to route new wiring through finished walls, ceilings, and floors without cutting open the entire path. The ability to fish wire through existing finished spaces is one of the most valuable skills for adding circuits and outlets to existing homes.

Types of Wire Fishing Tools

Fiberglass Fish Sticks (Push Rods)

Linked fiberglass rods that push through wall and ceiling cavities. Each rod is typically 4-6 feet long with threaded connections that link them together for longer runs. A hook or loop attachment on the leading end allows hooking and pulling wire. The standard tool for fishing wire through open wall and ceiling cavities.

Fish Tape

A flat or round steel tape wound in a reel. Pushed through conduit or wall cavities to pull wire. Stiffer than fish sticks in straight runs. The standard tool for fishing wire through conduit. Used in wall cavities where pushing stiff tape from a reel works better than individual rod sections.

Magnetic Fishing Kit

A powerful magnet on a flexible leader and a companion magnet that connects through the wall. One magnet is inserted into the wall cavity from an opening; the companion magnet is held on the exterior of the wall and follows the interior magnet, allowing the combination to navigate around insulation and obstructions.

Glow Rods

Same as standard fish sticks but made with fluorescent fiberglass so they are visible in dark cavities when illuminated with a UV light. Useful in attics and dark crawl spaces where visibility of the rod tip matters.

Our Top Picks

1. Greenlee 540 Fish Stick Set

The professional standard for fiberglass fish sticks. Each rod is 4 feet long with threaded ball-and-socket connections. Available in starter sets (4 rods = 16 feet) and extended sets for longer runs. The fiberglass material is non-conductive – safe to use near live wiring when necessary. Greenlee is the leading professional tool brand for wire fishing equipment.

2. Klein Tools 56003 Fish Stick Set

Klein’s entry into the fish stick market. 30-inch glow rods with threaded connections. The shorter rod length makes them easier to manage in tight spaces like attics and crawl spaces. The glow-in-dark material helps locate the rod tip in dark cavities. A good alternative to Greenlee at a similar price point.

3. Southwire Tools STFR-100 Fish Tape

A 100-foot steel fish tape on a reel for conduit work and open-wall cable pulling. The 100-foot length handles most residential conduit runs from panel to device location. The steel tape is stiff enough to push through conduit without buckling and strong enough to pull heavy cable.

4. Klein Tools 56402 Magnetic Wire Pulling System

A magnetic fishing kit for navigating wire through insulated walls. The internal magnet is inserted at an opening; the external magnet follows it through the wall to the desired exit point, allowing wire to be attached and pulled through without cutting additional openings. The most useful tool when conventional fish sticks cannot navigate around insulation or fire blocking.

5. Rack-A-Tiers Smart Money Magnetic Stud Finder and Wire Tracer

Not a fishing tool per se, but a combination stud finder and wire tracer that helps plan wire paths by identifying stud locations and existing wire paths before opening walls. Using this tool before fishing prevents hitting unexpected obstructions and locates the shortest path between openings.

How to Fish Wire Through a Wall

1. Identify the target path – from the starting opening to the ending opening.
2. Check for obstructions: fire blocking (horizontal 2x4s in wall cavities), insulation, and other wiring.
3. Drill any necessary holes through fire blocking from the attic or crawl space.
4. Insert the fish stick from one opening and push toward the other, adding rod sections as needed.
5. When the rod tip reaches the destination opening, attach the wire to the rod tip hook.
6. Pull the rod back through the cavity, drawing the wire with it.
7. Leave sufficient wire at each end for connections (12 inches minimum at boxes).

FAQ

Can I fish wire through insulated walls?

Yes, but it requires additional effort. Fiberglass fish sticks can push through loose-fill or batt insulation in some cases. Magnetic fishing kits are more effective when conventional fish sticks cannot push through. For fully insulated walls, you can also drill through the top plate from the attic and drop the wire through the insulated cavity using a weighted line.