The fish tape itself is a long, stiff, flat steel wire.

But wherever access is limited, fish tape comes in handy.

Fish tape’s stiff metal wire can be dangerous if allowed to unreel all at once.

Fish tape unreeled from plastic housing

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Non-conductive fiberglass fish tape is also available.

Do not unreel the entire length.

You may need to push a button to release the tape.

Fish tape end pushed through conduit opening

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

With other types of fish tape, you simply pull the tape outno button release is required.

Feed the tape until a foot or two of the tape is exposed at the other end.

Strip the plastic casing from the ends of the wires to expose the copper wire.

Twisted copper wires attached to fish tape through loop

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Twist the wires together, leaving one of the wires loose at the end.

Attach that wire to the end of the fish tape.

Bend the wire to form a complete loop.

Copper wires wrapped with black electrical tape

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Tip

Tamp down the wires tightly by hand so that the bundle is smooth.

Nothing should protrude from the bundle.

Wrap the Wires With Electrical Tape

Wrap the wires with electrical tape.

Fish tape pulled back from conduit opening

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Start where the wires attach to the end of the fish tape.

End the wrap at the cable sheathing.

Wrap tightly, using one layer of tape only.

Electrical tape unwrapped from copper wires and fish tape

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Work slowly and patiently.

It’s helpful to have an assistant at the other end unspool the electrical cable to relieve tension.

Detach Wires From Fish Tape

Reel back all of the fish tape until the electrical cable appears.

Unwrap the tape and remove it.

Untwist and remove the wires from the fish tape.

Tips for Using Fish Tape