Buying Guides

If you’ve ever watched a school of bluegill peck at your bait like they’re “testing” it, or marked crappie on sonar only to get ghosted, you already know the problem: panfish can be easy… until they’re not. This g …

Options for storing fishing tackle abound these days, with quite literally hundreds of options for keeping your favorite fishing gear organized, protected, and accessible. But it helps to understand what options exist and then set up a storage soluti …

Saltwater braid must cast far, resist abrasion, and hold knots under heavy drag. I fish braid for inshore trout and redfish, surf stripers, and offshore mahi and tuna. This guide explains what to look for in saltwater braid, then reviews five proven …

Catfish hit hard and shake hooks at the net. The right catfish hook keeps steady pressure and lands more fish. I cover the best catfish hooks for circle and J styles, explain hook size, and match each model to rigs, baits, and species. Use the callou …

Big cats punish bad reels. Blues torch long runs, channels peck then surge, and flatheads lean into structure until gears cry uncle. Your reel has to start smooth, stay smooth, and hold steady pressure with heavy line and big sinkers—no hiccups …

Steelhead demand smooth power and clean pressure during a wide, fast run. Your trolling rod must load deep, protect light hooks, and keep pressure steady through surges at the surface. I troll Lake Erie and the Great Lakes for summer steelhead, fall …

Catfish don’t play fair. Blues bulldog in current, channels nip soft then surge, and flatheads dig for timber the second steel touches bone. The right catfish rod turns that chaos into control—casting heavy sinkers clean, loading deep for …

Panfish represent a variety of smaller "pan sized" fish with the most popular being bluegills, but it also includes red ear sunfish, pumpkinseed, and goggle eyes. They provide a fun fish to catch while being plentiful, but they are also great table f …

Christmas is the perfect time to surprise the angler in your life with gear that enhances their fishing adventures. Whether you're shopping for a seasoned pro or a beginner, these top 12 Christmas fishing gifts for 2025 are sure to delight. From high …

Scent can be the final trigger. The right attractant masks human odor, mimics natural forage, and makes fish commit when they’re on the fence. A good gel stays on the bait. A good cure keeps roe fishable and vibrant. In this guide, I break down …

Cooling water makes Lake Erie walleyes feed hard. Fish slide shallow after dark and hold deeper by day. You need baits that cover water, track true, and call fish in low light and chop. This guide breaks down the best fall walleye lures for Lake Erie …

Whether you're flipping jigs into heavy cover or casting finesse baits on light tackle, braided fishing line gives you a serious edge. Known for its unmatched strength-to-diameter ratio, near-zero stretch, and long casting performance, braid is a top …