Independent field notes
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.
A beginner-friendly guide to casting a baitcaster into the wind by managing spool speed with brake settings, spool tension, lure choice, casting trajectory, thumb control, and sidearm casts.
Read articleA practical system for packing a light, capable tackle bag when you’ll be covering long stretches of shoreline on foot.
Read articleA beginner-friendly guide to assembling and fishing a slip-sinker rig over sandy bottoms, including component order, leader length, hook placement, and sinker selection.
Read articleA straightforward three-way swivel rig that keeps bait just above rocky bottom while making sinkers easier to replace after a snag.
Read articleA beginner-friendly guide to tying a simple paternoster rig for Atlantic and Gulf Coast surf fishing, including branch-line length, sinker choice, hook placement, and adjustments for current.
Read articleA beginner-friendly guide to tying a simple two-hook high-low rig for catching pinfish from a pier, with practical advice on hook spacing, bait, sinker weight, and keeping the rig clear of pilings.
Read articleA practical guide to assembling a lightweight, reliable trout setup for hiking into mountain streams, from rod and line choices to terminal tackle and pack organization.
Read articleA practical guide to choosing wire leader length, wire type, and connections that protect against toothy fish without making plugs, spoons, jigs, and soft plastics swim poorly.
Read articleUse current direction, creek mouths, points, and bait movement to decide where and when to cast from shore on Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Read articleA practical guide to reading pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn crappie behavior so you can adjust depth, location, and presentation through spring.
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