The need to connect two lines is common in angling, typically when joining mainline to leader or tippet. And whether you chase tuna offshore, hunt bass on a southern pond, or trick trout with a dry fly, knowing how to connect two lines is essential. But as any experienced angler can tell you, that point […]
Can you eat snook? Yes! As anglers from Florida to Texas can tell you, snook are as good to eat as they are exciting to catch. What are Snook? Known to science as Centropomus undecimalis, the common snook is a warm, shallow water fish abundant along both coasts of Florida and on around the Gulf […]
In clear water, there’s probably no lure as effective as a jerkbait. That’s a strong claim, and we need to back it up. Because jerkbaits mimic the movement of injured baitfish, when fished right, they trigger a primal reaction in bass. And as pros like Kevin VanDam will tell you, they’ll come farther to hit […]
Fishing with live bait is a time-honored tradition, and most anglers get their start - and never stop loving - throwing a worm under a bobber of some kind. Easy to rig and terribly effective, live worms are among the most common bait choices pretty much anywhere you fish in America. But if you're new […]
While plenty of anglers practice catch and release, especially with sport fish like bass, there are good reasons to engage in some selected culling. And when we start talking about panfish, specks, trout, walleye, salmon, and other delicacies we fight with our rods and reels, keeping a few for dinner is the rule, not the […]
Live minnows are an ultra-effective bait for everything from crappie to catfish and walleye to pike, as many savvy anglers can attest. As you’d expect, most predatory species include a variety of minnows in their diets, and their senses are primed to detect the subtle motions and sounds and attractive scent of small, live fish. […]
Most anglers know that a “fast” gear ratio means that you can expect a reel to pick up lots of line per turn of the handle, and speed is certainly one of the aspects of reels that receives attention in advertising. But beyond that, there are mostly unanswered questions: Are stainless gears better than brass? […]
Pretty much every angler I know has a few old reels lying around, and short of turning them into questionable home decor, all of us wonder what can be done with them. Here’s a short list of ideas that can help you decide what to do with your old fishing reels. Related: Top Fishing Reels […]
Bearings are a critical component in any fishing reel, and a product with lots of them typically touts that as a virtue. Of course, “lots” is relative, and maybe seven counts as a “lot” for me, while 15 is the high end for you. But numbers don’t always mean quality, and there’s a lot of […]
If you start a discussion about using clips or snaps with crankbaits, you’re liable to hear some strong opinions. And for every angler who swears by them, there’s another fisherman who won’t use them. I can see both sides, having occupied both positions over my fishing career, and I’ll give time to the arguments, both […]
Here, you'll learn everything you need to know about all the types of fishing hooks: sizes, parts, points, gauges, and styles. Related: Types of Fishing Rods Types of Fishing Reels Types Of Fishing Lures Types of Fishing Line Types of Fishing Bobbers Fishing Hook Sizes (2 Hook Size Charts) Hook sizing is a bit […]
When you hook live bait, you’re trying to accomplish three things. First, you want to keep your bait on the hook. Second, you (generally) want to keep your bait alive as long as you can. And third, you want to place your hook where it has the highest probability of a strong hookset. That doesn’t […]
Can you eat piranha? In short, Yes! You might not find them on the menu at your favorite restaurant, and they probably can’t be caught near where you live, but if you’re ever in a position to eat one - tuck in! What are Piranha? Piranha are a varied lot, and science doesn’t know that […]
Building a relationship with your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. And developing this bond while sharing your love of fishing--well, that’s just icing on the cake! But to kindle a life-long love of fishing in the next generation involves more than just inviting them […]
If you’re new to the fishing or just a die-hard single species angler, you may not be familiar with every bobber option out there. And from tiny wobblers for panfish to massive popping corks, you can pretty much guarantee that there’s just the right option for your needs. Keep reading for a complete rundown of […]
I’ve done an awful lot of fishing from the bank, and most anglers I know have, too. And while it can sometimes feel like you're missing out--that if you only had a boat, you could fish that perfect spot that’s unreachable from shore--the truth is that fishing from the bank doesn’t need to be a […]
Muskie vs Pike: these not-so-gentle giants fire the imagination of anglers. Known for their sharp teeth, voracious appetites, and incredible power, these apex predators are enough to give you a second thought before you take a swim in a northern lake! Close kin that share the genus Esox, E. lucius and E. masquinongy have a […]
Pretty much everywhere you find crappie, you’ll find an equally healthy population of bluegill. But while both of these species are as fun to catch as they are delicious to eat, anglers new to the panfish game may be confused about which is which. If you’re not sure how to tell the difference between crappie […]
If you’re brand-spanking new to angling, you may have no idea where to get started. You’ve got your hands on your first rod and reel, a spool of fishing line, and a handful of lures, hooks, and slip floats. But beyond that, you’re at a loss. Or maybe you haven’t pulled the trigger on a […]
Night fishing can be an exceptional opportunity for anglers in search of species like crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, and muskie. But most fishermen make their last casts shortly after sundown and then turn their boats back to the launch. That’s a big mistake! Big bass come in close at night. While not every species is active […]
Fishing lures come in an incredible range of shapes, sizes, designs, and materials. For anglers new to the sport, the ins and outs of lure choice can be confusing to the point of mystery. We get that! With so many options available, it’s really hard to know what each one is, does, and works for. […]
Chances are, you’ve seen these decorative fish at some point in your life, and from restaurant gardens to private ponds, the beautiful koi enjoys worldwide appreciation. That notwithstanding, koi are just pretty carp, and having been released into the wild, they’re now sometimes caught by anglers. That inevitably raises the question, “Can you eat koi […]
If you’re a new angler, the differences between spinning and casting rods may not be apparent at first glance. That’s OK--they’re pretty much just variations on a theme, with the principal difference being the reels they’re designed to wear. If you want to understand these differences better or find out more about common rod styles, […]
Line choice is critical, and the wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences. And while there are many issues to consider when choosing the right line for your situation, experienced fishermen know that abrasion resistance is near the top. From barnacle-encrusted pilings to sharp rocks, submerged debris to jagged stumps, there are more than a few […]
Casting is an art mastered through practice, and whether you’re new to the sport or an old hand, a few minutes spent every day in the back yard is going to make you a better angler in no time. The basics of casting are pretty simple: it’s all about timing the release of your lure […]
Spinning reels are essential tackle for every angler. From their wind-busting ability to cast to their simplicity to use, it’s easy to see why. And whether you chase bluegill on your local lake, catfish in a slow-moving river, or specks and reds in the surf, you’ll find that a spinning reel will quickly become a […]
If you’re new to fishing, you may feel overwhelmed by all the new terminology and the variety of gear. And you may be at a loss for any idea about how and where to find fish beyond your local grocery store! Sounds like you need some fishing tips. That’s to be expected as a beginner, […]
If there’s a more effective deep-water trolling method than a downrigger, we’d like to know what it is! Downriggers are simple systems designed to allow precision trolling, and though the idea is easy to grasp, the complexities can be frustrating if you aren’t in the know. If you’re new to downriggers, or just having trouble […]
Pretty much everyone knows that the weather affects fishing. Warm and cold fronts heat and cool the water, suppressing or encouraging feeding behavior depending on the season in which they arrive. For instance, a warm front in spring, accompanied by a lot of sun, can make the water warmer than usual, turning fish on while […]
Whether you fish fresh or salt, a drop shot rig is a great way to suspend a bait near the bottom, keeping it out of muck and weeds and putting it where it counts: right in front of the fish. Originally a saltwater technique, anglers on the west coast quickly adopted it as a finesse […]
Many new anglers are intimidated by the learning curve associated with baitcasting tackle. And while it’s true that they require a bit more technique and know-how, don’t let that keep you from trying one! Ideal for everything from bass to tuna, baitcasting tackle is something every angler should learn to use. And while setting up […]
As most anglers know, marine batteries are a substantial investment. They’re powerful, long-lasting, and durable. But as in most things in life, you get what you pay for--and you pay a lot for batteries that can start your outboard, run your livewell and electronics, and keep your trolling motor humming-away all day long. To get […]
Any angler worth his or her salt knows the ins and outs of the tackle they use. But most of us fish one or two types of fishing reel, maybe three if you work the hard water or cast flies. But do you know them all? Can you tell the difference between a centerpin and […]
Fishing rods are as diverse as the needs of anglers. Whatever you’re after--no matter the technique--there’s a rod for you! From tackle to help you fight a monster to delicate rods designed to fish small mountain streams, the right options for you are just a few clicks away. But do you know what types of […]
If you haven’t been throwing a chatterbait, you don’t know what you’re missing! A worthy addition to any angler’s tackle bag, chatterbaits are just the right medicine when you need an aggressive presentation that maximizes vibration and erratic action. But as Ron Davis, who helped design the very first chatterbait, warns, "A very small percentage […]
Braided main line is the go-to option for serious bass fishing, but as we’ve discussed before, superline offers some distinct disadvantages when used alone. These weaknesses necessitate the use of leaders, as many experienced largemouth anglers can attest. And whether you run braid, fluorocarbon, or nylon monofilament, when you’re after sharp-toothed fish like pike, mackerel, […]
Spinners are among the most popular style of lure for a reason. From bass to crappie, pike to walleye, a bladed crankbait that creates flash, vibration, and excitement can turn a bad day into a prized memory with just one cast. We’re often asked about spinner baits, and we’d like to answer some of questions […]
Do you like to wade for flounder? Or spend a Saturday morning on your kayak pulling bluegill from the local lake? Or do you hunt smallmouth from a canoe, getting into the shallow stretches that motorized boats just can’t reach? If you’re anything like me, there are plenty of times a cooler or live-well just […]
Does your local lake have a lunker? Well, people who love fishing will probably tell you. A lunker, in an interesting sense can be that legendary monster fish in your lake that old fishermen will tell you about. These are what fishing enthusiasts call the trophy of their fishing life. Catching one will mean skill […]
King salmons also known as Chinook salmon are by far the largest salmon species in North America. These fish are an absolute blast to catch. They are one of the largest species you can catch here in the north, and are sure to give you one heck of a fight. It is not uncommon to […]
Sometimes anglers love to search out a treasure spot in the middle of the bush. We sometimes find ourselves dragging boats, canoes or even balloon setups just to have a chance to harvest some great fish. Fishing charters and fly-in fishing charters live off of this type of fishing; lake fishing. Many of us who […]
Silver Redhorse (suckerfish) Background Information Ever wonder what kind of fish ends up on your line when you're targeting walleye? Well, that mystery fish may be the infamous Silver Redhorse or most commonly known as a suckerfish. Like walleye these fish tend to be located in deep fast moving water. Fast moving water help these […]
If it isn't the ocean or the lake you are trying to master, then it has to be the river. River fishing is one of the best environments to fish in. River fishing is home to many species which include walleye, salmon, trout and the occasional patrolling pike. River fishing is mostly where you find prized game fish such as walleye riding […]
Pier fishing can be a very rewardable and productive way of fishing from shore. I have participated in several pier fishing outings and have caught some of my biggest fish off a pier. There are often pier fishing techniques and courtesies that every angler must follow. Below we will first dive into the pier fishing […]
