There’s nothing quite like catching your own fish, whether you’re spending a lazy afternoon by the lake or on a dedicated fishing trip. But after the excitement of the catch comes the next important step: cleaning the fish. Properly cleaning and preparing your fish ensures you get the most out of your catch, allowing you…
The shift from late spring into early summer isn’t just about longer days and warmer temps—it’s a subtle but powerful turning point for anyone who spends serious time outdoors. Whether you’re chasing gobblers, stalking bass, or managing pastures and livestock, this transitional window demands a change in tactics, timing, and mindset. Understanding the rhythms of…
As the days shorten and water temperatures begin their slow descent, anglers often witness one of the most electrifying phenomena in fishing — baitfish boils. These surface explosions, where schools of shad, minnows, or alewives erupt in a frenzy, usually signal that predators like bass, stripers, and walleye are feeding aggressively. For those who understand…
Let me ask you something. You’ve got your rods rigged, your tackle organized, and your boat prepped. You’ve spent hours studying tide charts and weather patterns. But when you step onto that deck at 5:00 AM, there’s one piece of gear you probably haven’t given a second thought. Your boots. Here’s the hard truth most…
I’ll never forget the morning I finally snapped. It was 6:00 AM. I had thirty minutes before I needed to be at the boat ramp. I stepped outside to grab my gear, and—squish. A patch of dew‑soaked grass had turned my favorite sneakers into waterlogged sponges before I even locked the front door. I spent…
When autumn rolls around, fly anglers are treated to one of the most rewarding times of the year. Crisp air, vibrant foliage, and cooling waters create ideal conditions not just for fishing but for learning one of the sport’s most critical skills: matching the hatch. In fall, trout and other species feed aggressively to prepare…
Introduction: The Other Side of the Marina Not everyone who wears deck boots is a weekend warrior chasing stripers on a center console. There’s a whole world of anglers and water workers for whom a boat deck is an office, a factory floor, and sometimes a battlefield. The commercial deckhand hauling traps in the predawn…
Cobia fishing combines sight fishing, live bait, heavy tackle, offshore structure, powerful fish, warm weather, wet decks, baitfish slime, and sudden bursts of action when a large fish appears beside the boat. Cobia are known for: For anglers in Florida and across the Gulf Coast, cobia fishing may involve a mix of: A typical cobia…
Spring is prime time for bass anglers looking to land a true trophy. As water temperatures rise, bass emerge from their winter lethargy, feeding aggressively in preparation for the spawn. But catching a lunker bass (a bass over 5 pounds) isn’t just about luck—it requires understanding their behavior, using the right techniques, and knowing where…
There’s a saying that’s been passed around the docks of Dutch Harbor and Kodiak for as long as anyone can remember: “There are two types of fishermen — those who wear deck boots, and those who wish they had.” Walk onto any commercial boat from the Bering Sea down to the Gulf, and you’ll see…
