My old red reel and glass rod that I started out bass fishing with nearly 40 years ago were not exactly light, nor were they as sensitive as today’s precision-made reels and rods. I did catch a lot of bass with that rod fishing after school in nearby farm ponds. Fast-forward to present, and today there are stock rods available at your local independent tackle shop that weigh mere ounces in total compared to my first rig. But how important is shaving all that weight?Editorial StaffJan 23rd, 2015
Winter has arrived and so begins my favorite time of year to be out chasing trout on rivers and streams. Cold nights and brisk days drop water temperatures.Garner ReidJan 22nd, 2015
Weather, especially cold weather, can have a significant impact on our fisheries here in South Carolina, and few species are as vulnerable as spotted seatrout. It’s important for anglers to be aware of how environmental factors influence species abundance, and how they, as anglers, can sometimes offset the negative effects caused by natural events.Editorial StaffJan 21st, 2015
There’s a reason some anglers consider winter the season for fly-tying, not fishing. For me though, it’s the season I get to fish the most, while the rest of the year is spent doing more guiding and rowing. As it is, figuring out finnicky trout can be maddening. Add uncomfortable cold winter conditions to that equation, and it’s enough to send some anglers back to the tying bench.Editorial StaffJan 20th, 2015
Larger predators sometimes steal your catch, but mahi-mahi don’t usually end up on the winning end of the scenario. Coastal Angler reader Kent McNeal, who generally fishes out of the Boynton Inlet on south Florida’s Atlantic Coast, has a story to tell. He and a buddy were fishing a weed line when they got onto the kind of small dolphinfish often referred to as peanuts.Editorial StaffJan 20th, 2015
Cast after cast, and no fish. Invariably anglers look at each other and say what they’re thinking, “No fish here, let’s move.” One of the most misunderstood aspects of bass fishing is the size of the strike zone. Natural influences play a large part in the positioning of bass and their range of movement to eat. There exists a popular misconception that bass will move a great distance to “attack” a moving target.Editorial StaffJan 18th, 2015
Fly anglers are as attracted to their flies as fish are, and in some cases, can be even more attracted to them than the fish. There are a wide variety of flies available for anglers, and selecting from the array can be complicated. There are different colors, sizes, and materials. There are weighted flies and unweighted flies. So, what are the best flies? The simple answer is: it depends.
Without a doubt, Alberta, Canada’s Bow River is a world-class trout fishery. Glacier-fed and flowing more than 350 miles from the Canadian Rockies through the foothills and prairies of Alberta, it is big and scenic by the time it reaches the 50-mile section southeast of Calgary that author Jim McLennan called “the Blue Ribbon Bow.” It is here in this blue ribbon stretch that anglers flock to get in on some of the best brown and rainbow trout fishing in the world.
There’s a retro-movement taking place—a trend toward primitive hunting gear. Slings and polespears are used in places that do not allow trigger mechanisms.
The ACR Next-Gen ResQLink PLB has a new Digital Display. ACR Electronics’ new next-generation ResQLink Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) is … Editorial StaffMay 1st, 2019
A perfectly designed baitwell system. As fisherman, we all know how hard live bait can be to find. Seasonal weather patterns … Editorial StaffFeb 16th, 2019
Designed with purpose in mind. Since 2015, Frabill has continued to set the quiet standard in bucket conversion. The Frabill … Editorial StaffJan 19th, 2019
The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum proudly returned to Islamorada, Florida June 19th through the 21st for a Fan Fest and Celebrity Fishing Tournament.Editorial StaffJun 27th, 2025
Often when the Adirondacks are mentioned in fishing circles, pristine secluded trout rivers or brook trout ponds come to mind. Our secret is that the ADKs have countless bass fishing options, as well, with any kind of water you could think of.Editorial StaffAug 7th, 2025
Wahoos are one of the most coveted fish for bluewater hunters. That is because they are stealthy, good-tasting, and way smarter than you are. Here are some tips for hunting this wary species.Sheri DayeAug 6th, 2025