Nine Best New Spinning and Casting Reels

So many new fishing reels hit the market each year that it’s almost impossible for an angler to keep track—and harder still to get an objective comparison of

Catch More Bass in Lily Pads with Frog Baits

All topwater strikes are special, and yet few eruptions compare with that of a Goliath largemouth inhaling a -hollow-​body frog in the lily pads. Not only doe

Flyfishing: Three Tips for Catching More and Bigger Peacock Bass

Peacock bass are one species I believe every fly angler should chase at some point in his or her life. They’re aggressive, they eat through­out the water colu

How to Catch Bass, Trout, and Panfish After Dark

Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean the species you love to catch go to bed. In fact, sometimes the biggest fish in the pond, lake, or river don’t eat

Three Top Spring Smallmouth Lures

A serious smallmouth fisherman often has a deck full of rods and lure compartments filled to the brim when he leaves the boat ramp in spring. This time of yea

The Art Of Teaching Fishing And The Power Of A Good Quote

I don’t know if you think the same way I do, but I feel a great quote is as (or more) powerful than a great work of art. There’s just something inspirational

Escape Routes: Seven D.I.Y. Fishing Road Trips

Want to enjoy your best summer ever? Then load up your car with tackle and camping gear for an unforgettable fishing road trip. We’ve dreamed up 16 D.I.Y. adv

Road Trip: Largemouths and Taquerías in Central Texas

Want to enjoy your best summer ever? Then load up your car with tackle and camping gear for an unforgettable fishing road trip. We’ve dreamed up seven D.I.Y.

How Quick Change Affects Pond Bass Vs. Lake Bass

Not long ago, Joe Cermele sent me a question from his uncle, who was doing some pond reconstruction work on a golf course. He and the team had just dropped a

Three Tricks For Creek Largemouths And Smallmouths

I grew up fishing the creeks and rivers of the Northeast for smallmouths with everything from flies to worms. To be honest, it was a rare to catch a largemout

Ten Top New Rods of 2016

To really appreciate how many fishing rods hit the shelves this year, you’d just need to look at my garage after I called in 53—yup, 53!—new sticks for our 20

Twenty New Fly Patterns to Try This Summer

Every year, a handful of major fly retailers vet thousands of new submissions from hopeful tiers looking to go -major league with their patterns, but only the

Three Killer Rodent Lures for Topwater Bass

Many bass anglers take one look at a life-size topwater rat lure and see a gimmick. But those who know better see a secret weapon. They understand that bass a

The Rat Pack: Step Up Your Topwater-Bass Game With Rodent Lures

Many bass anglers take one look at a life-size topwater rat lure and see a gimmick. But those who know better see a secret weapon. They understand that bass a

How to Handle Two Bass on the Same Lure

No time for gawking. Here’s what to do if you double-up.  The bass are grouping up offshore at this point of the year in most of the country. That mea

Bluff Wall Seeps Can Equal Big Dog-Day Bass

A bluff wall seep is an ideal place to pick off summer bass. I was fishing with a friend the other day and made the decision to take a break from

What Age Laydown Is The Most Fishy?

Old laydown trees offer prime big-bass habitat. I’ve had numerous bass fishermen tell me that they prefer “fresh” laydowns for big bass. To be ho

Catch More Bass Late And Early By Targeting Hard Lines

An evening bass from Lake Champlain in Vermont Sometimes in the summer’s blazing heat, especially around popular boating times like the 4th of July

Three Tips for Skipping Bass Lures

Three experts share their tips.  Big bass love to chill in the shade below docks during the dog days. In other words, it’s time to work on your s

Why Late Summer Is the Best Time to Target Smallmouths on the Fly

As summer wanes, stable weather and still waters draw smallies upward.  It was a family vacation to the Wisconsin Northwoods, and while I hoped t