We’ve demystified the marketing hype around fishing line before, and now it’s time to concentrate on knots themselves. Which knot is the strongest? Which is the easiest to tie? Can you use the same knot on braid as well as fluorocarbon? Which is the best choice for joining your braided main-line to a fluoro leader? […]
Pier fishing is a time-honored tradition among anglers across the country, providing an excellent low-cost way to access everything from the surf to deep water. And every fisherman with a bit of salt in his veins has warm memories made on a pier, whether they were dropping High/Low Rigs down to the pilings below, casting […]
Saltwater anglers know that many of the most prized species hunt the bottom, especially in the shallower water most of us fish. And even offshore in waters like the Gulf of Mexico, where there is plenty of sun to keep the food chain humming, you’ll find big grouper, fat snapper, and sharks in abundance near […]
Native to the hot, humid climates of Florida and the Gulf Coast, snook are one of the most sought-after game species these warm waters hold. And whether you call them robalo or anything else, nothing beats the excitement of fighting these big fish in shallow water. If you’ve got a trip planned to the coast […]
Battery selection for your trolling motor is critical, and the wrong choice can spell bad outcomes that range from underperformance to total failure. Fortunately, once you understand the basics, it’s easy to figure out what you need. We’ve had a lot to say about trolling motor batteries before, and if you want to know all […]
Picking the right size trolling motor for your boat can be a bit confusing, but getting this right is critical. First, you need to calculate how much thrust you need from your motor; second, you need to measure to ensure you select the right shaft length; and third, you need to match the power output […]
Plenty of freshwater anglers find themselves headed to the salt for a day or two a year. And inevitably, they ask whether a freshwater trolling motor can be used in saltwater. The simple answer is yes. But there are reasons you might not want to. Even the best freshwater trolling motors aren’t designed to withstand […]
The first time I fished for reds I was hooked. Standing in a small boat as the sun sank below the marshes, I could see their tails cutting the surface of the shallows. Armed with a bit of shrimp, I sent my rig right up amongst them. My hook was swallowed as it hit the […]
There we were, watching reds swim back and forth, their tail fins cutting the water. My buddy and I could see a school of them, but we couldn’t get our boat over the shallow to get close enough to cast. Kayaks are the perfect platform for sight fishing for reds. Trust me, we tried! But […]
Whether you prefer having the beach all to yourself or like fishing with a few friends, there’s something magical about the sound of the waves on the sand, the anticipation of a big bite, and fighting a keeper through the surf. Surf fishing is heart-pounding angling, but if you’re new to it, or just having […]
If you haven’t tried surf fishing at night, do yourself a favor and get out to the beach at sunset. There are a host of good reasons to hit the sand at sundown, and if you’re looking for reasons to make that happen - and tips and tricks to maximize your success - you’ve come […]
After movies like Jaws, most people probably spend more time thinking about whether a shark will eat them than whether they can eat a shark! But the truth is that most common species of shark are delicious when properly prepared, and outside the US, shark is considered a delicacy worthy of any table. That said, […]
The heart-pounding thrill of fighting a big tuna, tarpon, or sailfish is hard to equal, and if you’re as addicted to the salt as we are, you know how it gets into your blood. And from flounder to blue, specks to stripers, the variety of species saltwater anglers chase is astounding. But some things remain […]
Fishing from the beach offers unique challenges, and we’ve covered the specialized tackle that dominates the surf before. If you’re not sure what you need to get started, please check out our articles on the best surf casting rods and reels. Make no mistake: in addition to specialized rods and tough reels, surf casting demands […]
Flounder are one of the most popular game fish in America, and from New England to Texas, you can find anglers looking for big flatfish. As delicious as they are fun to catch, we’ve found that a few tips and tricks can really improve your odds. Do you know which live bait flounder prefer? Do […]
There’s more than a little truth to the idea that 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water. If you find reds in a school, especially if they’re actively feeding, pretty much anything you throw is going to get hit. For instance, when they’re feeding on panicked mullet in shallow water, any spoon, […]
Best Saltwater Fishing Rods Saltwater rod for surf fishing Surf fishing demands a long rod that can cast like a dream, as well as an extra-long handle clad in shrink tubing to provide a no-slip grip. Built for big fish and large spinning reels, expect medium-heavy powered rods made of fiberglass composite. Amazon Length: 11’ Action/power: medium-heavy/moderately […]
Saltwater anglers need reels they can rely on to take a beating and deliver the goods in a hard fight. And whether you fish inshore for reds and specks or chase sailfish and sharks in the blue water, a good reel is essential. If you’re looking for a quality saltwater fishing reel, we’ve got you […]
While there are tons of spinning reels on the market, very few are designed for the salt, and fewer still are available in sizes that can handle bull reds or small sharks. For that kind of performance, the pickings get pretty slim, and only a handful of companies really offer the goods. If you’re an […]
Saltwater fishing offers an unbeatable range of species, and whether you fish from a pier, the surf, or a boat, there’s always something exciting to catch - whatever the season. But if you’re unsure about which lures are the most effective, you’re far from alone. It’s a question we get asked a lot, and it’s […]
Saltwater anglers know that delicious fillets are the ultimate reward offered by species like mackerel, redfish, speckled trout, and tuna, and a high-quality knife is the tool to free these slabs of meat from the ribs of fish. To do that well, a fillet knife needs a long, flexible, sharp blade and a handle that […]
Tackle storage is a tricky issue: you need enough space for the gear you need, ready access to your lures and tools, and portability - all in one easy-to-carry package. And when you add in the beating your equipment takes from salt and sun, most storage options fall short. But there are great storage products […]
Fishing from the beach or pier demands exceptional equipment, and from surf rods designed for super-long casting to reels that bring the fight to the fish, you need tough, durable, dependable tackle. But while surfcasting reels share a lot of things in common with any spinning reel, they’re subtly different in terms of their drag systems, […]
Sand spikes, essentially rod holders designed for surf fishing, are a great piece of gear to enhance your beach adventures. Not only do they free your hands and arms from the work of holding a long, heavy surf-casting rod all day, but they also allow you to securely run more than one line, enabling you […]
Surf fishing fans know that carrying buckets, sand spikes, rods, tackle bags, and everything else they need for a trip to the beach is a tall order. Every time I’ve done it, I’ve wanted an extra pair of hands. A surf fishing cart is the easiest solution and the best of the bunch make it […]
Between challenging weather; long, rough rides; and big, mean fish, inshore anglers put their tackle to the test. And the right choice for an inshore rod can mean the difference between a memorable catch and a disappointing failure. From sight-casting to reds to throwing live bait specks or flounder in a channel, a good inshore […]
Red drum and speckled trout are fished so often on the same trip that it almost always makes sense to pack tackle that can handle them both. And for anglers who want to hit the water quickly, nothing makes more sense than a combo. But the right combo can be hard to find, and there […]
Speckled trout and red drum are two of the most popular game fish in inshore southern waters, and there’s not an angler alive who would turn up his nose at a sunrise run from a launch to a hot spot near the coast. Frequently fished on the same trip, having a rod that works well […]
Inshore fishing offers more opportunities for excitement than you can shake a rod at, and if you ask anglers lucky enough to live near the southern coasts of the US which words get their hearts beating the fastest, they’ll answer “reds” and “specks.” Red drum and speckled trout are an almost unbeatable combo in shallow […]
Anglers on a budget, or fishermen who are just looking for tackle for a vacation, often take a hard look at combos - rod and reel pairings offered by the same manufacturer. When done well, these combos are a thing of beauty: excellent reels matched to capable rods - the complete package, so to speak […]
Surf fishing requires specialized tackle like long, tough rods that load well with heavy sinkers and can take the stress of snap casting. You’ll also need an excellent reel that holds plenty of line, sports a smooth drag, and offers fight-winning torque. But what about hooks? Which styles and sizes are the best options for […]
If you’re anything like us, the pull of the salt has you by the heartstrings. And if you need a new rod and reel, a great combo can get you on the water quickly. At their best, combos offer excellent reels matched to equally nice rods, but it can be hard to know which of […]
Inshore angling offers heart-pounding excitement. Whether you work a salt flat for reds, ply the surf for blues, hunt shallows for flounder, or head out into the open water for monsters like tarpon, a capable kayak is a must. The market for fishing kayaks is pretty crowded, and separating the ‘yaks that will deliver from […]
From bright sun to errant hooks, fishing is harder on your eyes than the price of a new boat. If you’ve taken to the water without sunglasses, you know exactly what we mean. And as any optometrist can tell you, it’s unwise in the extreme to neglect quality eye protection, and plenty of ER doctors […]
Every time I’ve forgotten my fishing pliers, I’ve regretted it immediately. Pliers are an essential angling tool, and the range of tasks for which they’re perfect is almost endless. Need to clip hard-to-cut line? Check. Need to remove a deeply embedded hook or mash a few split shot? Check and check. Need to clip a […]
