Buying Guides

Scent can be the final trigger. Scent is often the final trigger. The right attractant masks human odor, mimics natural forage, and makes fish commit when they’re on the fence. This guide covers the best options across bass, crappie, panfish, t …

Few techniques match the rush of a bass crushing a lure on the surface. Topwater baits call fish up, cover water fast, and produce big bites in shallow water. This guide highlights reliable walkers, poppers, frogs, prop baits, and buzzbaits. I explai …

The right Senko color can be the difference between a limit and getting skunked. Water clarity, light conditions, and the season all change what bass want to see. This guide breaks down the top Yamamoto Senko colors and exactly when to throw each one …

Soft swimbaits have evolved from a novelty to one of the most versatile prespawn tools in a bass angler's arsenal. This guide breaks down which body style to throw, how to rig for more hook-ups, and the go-to setup that has produced big limits &mdash …

Getting bit in heavy cover is easy. Landing fish without constant snags is the hard part. This guide breaks down the best weedless lures — and a few honest “weed-resistant” options — for every type of heavy cover, from matted …

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 …