Hopper Season Setup: The Three-Fly Rig That Replaces Your Dry-Dropper in July
PMDs are done by mid-July on most freestones, and the dry-dropper that crushed in June starts getting refusals. The fix is a three-fly hopper rig: foam hopper as indicator, weighted jig 3-4 feet down, soft-hackle emerger 18 inches under that. Here's the exact hopper season setup, when to switch, and how to fish banks versus midstream.
Best Slip Floats & Bobbers for Crappie and Panfish (2026)
A field guide to the best slip floats and bobbers for crappie and panfish: how to match float buoyancy to jig weight, when to fish foam versus balsa, and three current Amazon picks worth rigging up this summer.
Best Tungsten Drop Shot & Worm Weights for Bass (2026)
Tungsten is denser, smaller, and far more sensitive than lead. Here are the best tungsten drop shot and worm weights for bass in 2026, sorted by rig and cover type so you buy the right shape instead of a tackle drawer full of the wrong one.
Best Soft Jerkbait for Bass 2026: Super Fluke vs Caffeine Shad vs Jerk ShadZ
I judged the three soft jerkbaits I actually keep tied on against each other to find the best soft jerkbait for bass in 2026: the Zoom Super Fluke, Strike King Caffeine Shad, and Z-Man Jerk ShadZ. Durability, fall rate, side-to-side dart, and which one to throw for summer schoolers versus a sub-surface walk-the-dog.
Best Kayak Anchor Trolley & Stake-Out Pole Systems for 2026
Picking the best kayak anchor trolley is only half the job. You also have to match it to how you anchor: a stake-out pole for shallow flats, a folding grapnel for deep water. Here are the 2026 systems worth rigging, plus a no-drill walkthrough.
Summer Surf Fishing the East Coast: Stripers and Blues From the Beach in June
By mid-June the spring striper blitz cools off and a different game begins. Summer surf fishing the East Coast becomes a two-fish puzzle: hunt stripers at dawn, dusk, and full dark, then switch to bluefish and wire leaders once the sun is up. Here is how to rig for both without retying your whole setup every two hours.
Yellow Sally and Golden Stonefly Dry-Dropper for June Trout
The salmonflies are done. Now what? A rig-by-rig guide to fishing a yellow sally and golden stonefly dry-dropper through late June and July on western freestones, with timing notes for the Madison, Big Hole, Yellowstone, Henry's Fork, and Green.
Best Fishing Line Spooler Under $30 to Spool a Reel Without Line Twist (2026)
Line twist and wind knots are the number one beginner spooling mistake. Here are five budget picks for the best fishing line spooler under $30, plus how to spool a reel without line twist on both spinning reels and baitcasters.
Best Braided Fishing Line for Bass and Inshore 2026: Power Pro vs Sufix 832 vs Daiwa J-Braid
The best braided fishing line for bass and inshore in 2026 isn't one brand. Power Pro is the workhorse. Sufix 832 is the abrasion king. Daiwa's new J-Braid Expedition X8E casts smoother than either. Here's which to put on which reel.
Catfish Fishing for Beginners: The Summer Bank Angler's Complete Guide
Channel catfish are the most beginner-friendly fish in freshwater, and summer is the best time to catch them from the bank. Here's everything you need: rigs, baits, timing, and spots that actually produce.