Numerical computer simulation is an important method to study the hydrodynamics of fishing gear, providing visualization of motion, morphology, loading, and surrounding flow characteristics under different operating conditions. Here, the research progress of hydrodynamics and the application of fishing gear based on numerical simulation were reviewed. Additionally, the development and simulation methods of numerical models, as well as solving algorithms and efficiency improvement approaches of numerical analyses were summarized in detail. Finally, the disadvantages and suggestions of numerical research on fishing gear hydrodynamics were put forward. The summary showed that the numerical analysis of fishing gear primarily involves the dynamics model based on the topology of physical structure and the hydrodynamic model based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. Both explicit and implicit algorithms were used to calculate the rigid motion equations and reducing the number of elements and optimizing the programming algorithm were the main methods used to improve the computational efficiency. The review suggests that the numerical model and related parameters could be improved by combining with actual working conditions such as non-constant currents or irregular waves at sea, the accumulation of catch in the codend, as well as the mechanical properties affected by the braided structure and non-linear deformation of the mesh. Moreover, numerical computation efficiency could be improved by the modification of solution algorithms, optimization of node topology, and improvement of calculation frameworks. In addition, the coupled motion and flow simulation of fishing gear, fishing methods, sea condition, and catches should be strengthened, providing an efficient approach for designing netting configurations, improving operational technology, and optimizing fishing gear hydrodynamics.