Sportfishing

Meet the Guadalupe bass—Texas’s official state fish and a tough little predator that thrives in clear Hill Country rivers like the Guadalupe, San Antonio, and Colorado. With successful reintroduction and hatchery efforts, this endangered native is making a comeback, and anglers can target it with lures, baits, or fly fishing for an unforgettable fight.

Brown trout are coldwater, highly adaptable fighters native to Europe, thriving in streams, rivers, and lakes—and even moving between fresh and saltwater in some populations. In this best-fishing-guide rundown, you’ll learn how their opportunistic feeding habits and prime habitats shape where and how to catch them, from fly patterns to bait and lures.

Catch more Texas striped bass by fishing after noon on overcast or rainy days, then scout thermoclines around ledges, points, and bluff walls with a depth-temp gauge. Pair structure and baitfish (think shad) with early/late-day timing—cooler water means more bites.

Tie on a Deer Hair Mouse fly right as it’s about to be freed from the reed—then cast it diagonally upstream and twitch it back to trigger those big trout waiting for a splash. Whether you’re chasing New Zealand browns or trophy fish, this lifelike pattern delivers aggressive takes when the mouse hatch is on.

Ready to land more big bass? From Alabama’s Lake Guntersville to Texas’ Sam Rayburn and beyond, these top bass fishing lakes across the US are packed with proven hotspots, standout cover, and serious trophy potential—so pick your favorite and get planning.

Want stripers (and big bass) to find your lure from far away? Learn the best pencil popper size and how to work it—whether you’re popping, chugging, or walking the dog—to trigger more aggressive surface strikes.

A landing net makes catch-and-release easier and gentler by keeping fish safely contained until the hook comes out—reducing stress, protecting scales, and even helping prevent tangles with your tackle. Choose a lightweight, tangle-free rubber mesh net (with the right handle length or folding design) for faster landings and better survival.

Ready to reel in more white bass? This guide breaks down the must-have spinner baits and the top picks—Zoom Fat Albert Grub, Acme Little Cleo, and Rapala Shad Rap 05—plus exactly what to stock in your tackle box for faster, more reliable strikes.

Wondering if baitcasting is better than a spinning reel for bass? This guide breaks down what a baitcasting reel is, how it works, and why its accuracy, power, and longer casts make it a game-changer for landing big fish.

Silver spoon lures are a must-have search bait—cast or troll them through the strike zone to spark predator bites, especially over thick cover. Reflective, lightweight, and easy to work with (jig, jerk-pause, or retrieve fast near weeds), they’re versatile enough for trout, salmon, walleye, and more.

Cracking the code to summer bass fishing is all about smart scouting—map the structure, target drop-offs, and use finesse presentations when they get picky. Fish low-light periods, lock onto shady cover near vegetation, and match your bait/color to the water clarity for fast, exciting bites.

Fall bass are hunting shad and gorging before winter—so downsize your crankbaits and spinnerbaits, then slow-roll or pause your lure right on the bottom for reaction strikes. Keep a couple sizes on hand (like spinnerbait blade options) and throw topwater like the Arashi Top Walker when bass slide up to feed.

Want to land more bass with zero guesswork? From crawfish and shad to bluegill, nightcrawlers, and frogs, these live-bait “best picks” are proven to trigger aggressive strikes—pick the one that matches your water and bass species.

Ready to catch bass on topwater? Keep it smaller and slower, fish it over cover in warm water (above 55°F), and match the color to the clarity for a reaction strike that’s hard to beat.

Want an effortless way to land more trout on your fly rod? Learn which trout wet flies to use, how to fish them with floating vs. sinking line, and simple setup tips that make the difference between eating your fly and getting ignored.