Recreation

Most fishers know that monofilament line degrades in quality. After a long time on a spinning reel, monofilament develops a permanent twist that interferes with casting. The difference in strength...

Shakespeare fishing reels are precision machines designed for daily use on open water. Over time, dirt and grime can seep into the reel housing and gum up the gears, eventually wearing down the...

Both spinning and baitcasting reels are familiar and trusted options among saltwater fishing equipment. While there is considerable overlap with regard to use, the two types of reel are very...

Native brook trout are easily spooked. They are also fairly difficult to get to. More often than not, finding sequestered populations of native brook trout entails some hiking and maneuvering...

Most sport and recreational fishing plugs--hard-bodied lures meant to imitate fish, crawfish, frogs or other prey--traditionally come equipped with two or more treble hooks. They can often be...

An effective fishing arsenal should contain multiple weights of varying shapes and sizes. Whether fishing a lake with depths that reach 75 feet or a shallow stream only a few feet deep, stocking...

A fishing vest is a handy piece of clothing, especially for fly fishermen. A spin fisherman usually is on the bank or in a boat with all of his tackle in a tackle box right next to him. A fly...

Many big-game fishermen favor tandem fly hooks because they greatly increase the chance for a snag when a fish bites. There are many variations on tandem hooks, and the size and spacing of the two...

The drag system on saltwater fishing poles is especially important since there is no telling when a saltwater angler could hook a huge fish. Absent a drag that lets out line when a fish applies...

Different types of materials can make up a standard fishing net, also called a landing net, with these materials composing the mesh, handle and "hoop" of the net. The net's composition depends on...

Most fishing poles and reels include a drag system that allows line to come off the spool if a fish pulls hard enough. A properly set drag can be the difference between an angler landing the fish...

Glow sticks, which can be purchased cheaply, provide the ideal illumination for night fishing. A quick bend and snap is all it takes to light a glow stick, and rigging on the fishing line takes...

Bass fishing can cause you to lose a lot of lures if done incorrectly. Most fish will be close to cover such as logs, seaweed, fallen branches and rocks. Many bass fishing bait and lures will get...

Dauphin Island is a 14-mile long barrier island located south of Alabama's Mobile Bay. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, its year-round population was 1,579 in 2007. With its easy access to the...

Crank baits are typically constructed of hard plastic or wood and are designed to imitate fish found naturally in a particular area. These baits will feature the shape and coloring of such bait...

Growing up there were many lures that I used when going bass fishing. A lot of them I still use today. From plastic worms to spinner baits to the focus of this article, the Cocahoe Minnow. With...

Plastic fishing worms are the weapon of choice for freshwater anglers, particularly when they're after largemouth bass. For ease of use, realism and fish-catching results, soft plastic worms are...

Fishing spoons are a very effective lure that anglers will employ when fishing for species such as bass, trout, crappie, northern pike, muskellunge and others. The lure acquired its name from its...

Finding fishing worms can be easy as getting a shovel and digging a hole in your yard. Still, to get the best results, there are some guidelines to follow and a few hints to help you find some...

Every year salmon migrate from the ocean, up the rivers of the Pacific Northwest to spawn providing some exciting fishing action. There are several ways to fish for spawning salmon, however spin...

Creating your own fishing lures can be a fun and rewarding hobby. The basic premise is simple: create something that a fish would want to eat and put a hook on it. But the materials that can be...

Salmon are a typically large type of fish that lives in both saltwater and freshwater. They need cool water that has clean gravel at the bottom to suffice for spawning. Salmon also seem to flock...

Proper fluorocarbon line treatment starts when you first spool the new line onto your reel. Fluorocarbon line is a fast-sinking fishing line, almost twice as dense as mono, with a lesser tendency...

When monofilament lines came into the fishing tackle market in 1939 it was adopted by many. The first lines, made from nylon, were stiff and did not cast well. That changed in 1959 when a softer...

Crank baits are versatile lures used for all species of game fish found in all waters. When tying a crank bait to a fishing line, it is important to have a knot that is strong enough not to come...

A fishing vacation can be more than a break from work; it can be a way of life. If you take fishing vacations often, you want to remember the locations, guides, accommodations-and of course, the...

For some anglers, a broken fishing pole means the end of that pole's life. But that's not the case for those who know how to repair their graphite fishing rods. A broken fishing rod takes some...

Fishing weights come in a bevy of types, with different sizes of each weight available. Fishing weights serve a valuable function, keeping live bait and lures down at the depth the angler desires.

Fishing poles get banged around enough in the car just getting to the boat. Once at the boat, they should have a neat, organized place where they can stand ready for use. You can buy rod holders...

Caught and killed rattlesnakes can make an effective bait for freshwater game fish, especially largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and sturgeon. Rattlesnake meat is tough and rubbery, making...

Live bait angling produces the largest catches in size and number whether you are fishing in fresh or salt water. Using prey fish, such as anchovy or herring, taps into the normal feeding patterns...

During a camping trip or just for fun, you might want to go fishing. Fishing is a good activity if you are camping by a river or a lake, where you can catch your fish and grill it up for dinner! ...

There are many instances when an angler will desire to use fishing weights. These weights come in a variety of forms and serve an assortment of different functions. In most cases, fishing weights...

The expression "either fish or cut bait" is a classic command to get someone to do something, anything, besides sitting around while others work. Yet in the sport of fishing there is an...

When crabbing, the difference between a good knot and a poor one is often the catch that got away. The blood knot is recommended for both fly fishing and crabbing as a reliable means of joining...

Saltwater fishing is a great way for an angler to enjoy the toughest challenges of the sport. Whether casting from the surf, dropping a line off a pier or wrestling brutes in the deep, plucking...

Live bait--such as leeches, nightcrawlers and minnows--is among the most popular options of anglers who fish for walleyes, and the Lindy fishing rig is a classic way walleye anglers present such...

Zoom baits are a brand of typically soft-bodied fishing lures designed and manufactured by the Zoom Bait Co. There are many different bait designs in various colors manufactured by Zoom; however,...

Fly fishing is a challenging and fun means to catch fish, especially if you've fished that way long enough to know how to cast right into the "circle" and entice a nice trout, salmon, bonefish or...

Kayak fishing has become popular in the past few years. One of the accessories that add convenience for the kayak angler is a kayak fishing crate. A crate simplifies loading and accessing tackle,...

Freshwater anglers who go after catfish know that these big bruisers feed by sense of smell. Unlike the delicate bouquet of a fine wine or the flavor of a grilled steak that might appeal to most...

Fishing line weight needs to be matched to your rod and reel. Depending on the type of fishing you are doing, lures and bait you are using, and line type you choose, you may want a heavier or...

There is an easy way to measure the amount of line on your spinning reel. It involves a marker pen, a measuring tape and some of the basic math skills you learned in the lower grades. It is...

From the warm waters off the Florida Keys, Texas coast, or Carolinas, to the diverse waters of the Pacific, anglers across the United States coastal regions can find a wide array of saltwater...

Imagine that you have affixed your favorite bass lure to your line and are fishing in a spot where you know the big ones lurk. You get a bite, pull back on the rod tip and suddenly realize that...

Marine debris is a global problem that affects everything from the environment to the economy. According to the BoatUS Foundation, "the average American produces 4.5 lbs of solid waste every day."...

Salmon spoons are a form of artificial bait that attracts fish by imitating the actions of wounded bait fish. The two most popular forms of spoons are casted spoons, which allow fishermen to...

A garage is a dangerous place for fishing poles. If the fishing poles are not properly stored, they can quickly become broken and unusable. Building a wall-mounted fishing rack will keep the poles...

Zebco makes a variety of fishing reels that accommodate anglers of all skill levels, from novice to experienced. But in order to use these reels properly, and to catch fish, you'll need to spool...

Flathead catfish are one of the largest catfish species in North America and they can grow to enormous sizes. Catfishing for flathead catfish is exciting and a lot of fun. Flathead catfish are...