How to Choose Between a Bank, Pier, and Kayak Trip
A beginner-friendly comparison of bank, pier, and kayak fishing, with a practical way to choose the right access method for the same water.
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Hooked For The Weekend
Fishing tips, tackle talk, and stories about the ones that got away.
Caleb MercerHi I’m Caleb, a recreational angler who would rather spend a quiet morning by the water than just about anywhere else. I write about practical fishing techniques, dependable gear, and the lessons I’ve learned through years of tangled lines, missed strikes, and the occasional fish worth bragging about.
Recent articles
View archiveHow to Choose a Soft-Plastic Color in Stained Water
A beginner-friendly approach to choosing soft-plastic colors in stained freshwater, using contrast, visibility, flash, and local forage instead of an overloaded tackle box.
Read articleHow to Choose a Net That Fits Your Fishing
A practical guide to choosing a landing net by fishing style, including hoop size, handle length, mesh material, storage, and fish-friendly features for shore, wading, and boat anglers.
Read articleHow to Choose a Fishing Spot When You Only Have an Hour
A practical process for comparing nearby banks, ponds, rivers, and access points when time is limited.
Read articleHow to Choose a First Baitcasting Reel Without Fighting Backlashes
A practical guide to picking and setting up a first baitcasting reel, with beginner-friendly advice on braking, spool tension, line, rods, and practice casting.
Read articleHow to Choose a Boat Battery for Electronics and a Trolling Motor
A practical guide to sizing and choosing boat batteries for fish finders, livewell pumps, and trolling motors, including battery chemistry, wiring voltage, charging, weight, and maintenance considerations.
Read articleHow to Check Local Fish Consumption Advisories Before Keeping a Catch
A practical guide to finding and interpreting U.S. fish consumption advisories before deciding whether to keep a catch.
Read articleHow to Catch Spring White Bass When the River Is Still Cold
A practical cold-water river strategy for finding spring white bass, fishing compact lures in changing current, and adjusting as the migration develops.
Read articleHow to Catch Carp Without Spooking Them at the Bank
A practical guide to approaching, spotting, and catching shallow-water carp without sending them fleeing from the bank.
Read articleHow to Catch Bass Around Sparse Grass in Early Spring
Show how to choose a presentation and retrieve it through emerging vegetation without fouling constantly.
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