NYT Strands Hints & Answers for Wednesday, April 29, 2026 (Puzzle #787)

Today's NYT Strands is live for Wednesday, April 29, 2026 (Puzzle #787). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.

How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)

Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.

The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.

Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.

Theme Decoder

Today's Theme Prompt: "Fish or cut bait"

What It Really Means

This puzzle dives into the world of fishing gear and tackle. Every theme word is a piece of equipment, tool, or accessory an angler would have in their kit. If you've ever been fishing, you'll recognize these items immediately.

Think About...

• Items attached to a fishing line or rod
• Tools used to handle catches or rig equipment
• Gear that helps you catch, store, or manage fish

Spangram Clues

Orientation: Diagonal and across (snake pattern)

Letter Count: 6 letters

Starting Zone: First letter of the fourth row

Progressive Spangram Hints

Hint 1 (Gentle): This word describes the entire collection of gear an angler brings to the water.

Hint 2 (Warmer): It's what you call all your fishing rods, reels, lures, and accessories combined.

Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is T, last letter is E

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TACKLE

Word-by-Word Hints

Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.

Word 1

Vague: A sideways glance or look, often with ill intent.

Closer: This four-letter word can mean to stare suggestively or with malice.

Letter Clue: Starts with L, 4 letters total

Answer

LEER

Word 2

Vague: A curved piece of metal used to catch or hang things.

Closer: Essential fishing gear that attaches bait and catches fish by the mouth.

Letter Clue: Starts with H, 4 letters total

Answer

HOOK

Word 3

Vague: Measurement of how heavy something is.

Closer: A small metal piece added to a fishing line to help the bait sink deeper.

Letter Clue: Starts with W, 6 letters total

Answer

WEIGHT

Word 4

Vague: Something that floats on the surface of water.

Closer: A small floating device attached to a fishing line to indicate when a fish bites.

Letter Clue: Starts with B, 6 letters total

Answer

BOBBER

Word 5

Vague: Something used to attract or entice.

Closer: An artificial bait designed to look like prey and attract fish.

Letter Clue: Starts with L, 4 letters total

Answer

LURE

Word 6

Vague: A rotating connector between two parts.

Closer: A small metal fastener used in fishing rigs to prevent line twisting.

Letter Clue: Starts with S, 6 letters total

Answer

SWIVEL

Word 7

Vague: A tool used for gripping and bending.

Closer: A hand tool every angler uses to remove hooks, cut line, and crimp weights.

Letter Clue: Starts with P, 6 letters total

Answer

PLIERS

Word 8

Vague: Containers that keep things cold.

Closer: Insulated boxes anglers use to store their catch and keep drinks cold on the boat.

Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total

Answer

COOLER

Full Answers

Click to expand

Spangram: TACKLE

Theme Words:

• LEER
• HOOK
• WEIGHT
• BOBBER
• LURE
• SWIVEL
• PLIERS
• COOLERS

Puzzle Debrief

Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Trickiest Word: LEER (An unusual inclusion in a fishing-themed puzzle that may throw solvers looking for strictly fish-related terms)

Our Take: Puzzle #787 delivers a solid fishing gear theme that anglers will breeze through. The spangram TACKLE ties everything together neatly, and the eight theme words cover the essential toolkit from hook to cooler. A straightforward Wednesday puzzle with just enough variety to keep it interesting.