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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
We’ve demystified the marketing hype around 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? Wherever […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
