About Fish8r
Hi, my name is Kārlis, and I’m the creator of Fish8r—a compact travel fishing set you can carry in your pocket and actually catch fish with.
I’ve always been passionate about woodworking, designing, building things, and computer graphics. But one of the best tools I’ve ever added to my workshop is a 3D printer—it’s probably the best thing I’ve bought since my MacBook. It opened the door to creating not just ideas, but real, functional things. And one of the first serious projects I tackled was something I truly needed: a super compact, real fishing set that I could take with me anywhere, even in hand luggage when flying.
How Fish8r Was Born
The idea for Fish8r came from my own frustration—I love to travel light and fish, but I couldn’t find a single small fishing set with a reel that was truly pocket-sized and usable. So I started designing one from scratch, just for myself.
The very first version fit into an Altoids tin. It was neat—but not everyone had those nice little metal boxes, so I designed a printable case. Then I made a birthday card-sized KitCard version in A6 format, which you can print flat, cut out, and assemble on the go with just a branch or stick.
As I shared my progress on MakerWorld, more and more people reached out asking if they could buy a ready-made set. That’s when I decided to launch this store and start producing professionally printed versions using durable carbon fiber filament. These sets are lightweight, strong, and reliable—not meant for pro fishing, but absolutely capable of catching fish and having fun.
The rod was the trickiest part. I researched traditional Japanese wood joints and came up with a 4-piece, 600mm collapsible rod that prints cleanly and withstands over 1kg of tension on the line without snapping. It took me over a year of prototyping and testing to get everything just right.
Print It or Buy It
You can experience Fish8r in two ways:
Buy a professionally printed set—assembled and ready to fish, made from strong carbon fiber filament
Download the 3D files on MakerWorld and print it yourself
It’s also a great gift—whether for a fisher friend, a curious kid, or someone who loves clever outdoor gadgets.
A Note on Safety
Please remember: even though the set is small and fun, water is no joke. Always be careful around rivers, lakes, and the sea. Never let children play near water alone.
Thanks for visiting, and I hope Fish8r brings you as much joy, adventure, and creativity as it’s brought me.
– Kārlis