If you’re passionate about angling and would like to take your weekend reads to a whole new level by combining your hobby with a bit of learning, maybe you need a new magazine subscription. The fact of the matter is that there are many publications you should bear in mind. So, what such a myriad of choices available, which one should you pick for your next subscription? First off, we need to emphasize that many of the following suggestions also have online editions, most of which are free. Of course, you won’t get the same articles like those in the printed issues, in that you’ll need to pay a small fee to have access to some of the digital writing pieces. Nevertheless, online subscriptions are often more affordable, and that’s why they’re slowly but surely becoming more popular with time. Plus, many anglers now own tablets or iPads that they can conveniently utilize both with their wireless fish finders and for reading their magazine issues. Without further ado, let’s move on to the most popular angling magazines in the United States of America.   1. Field & Stream As one of the most critically acclaimed magazines available right now, Field and Stream is a magazine jam-packed with useful articles. You can read all you need to know about conservation, fishing equipment, and techniques, as well as some hunting tips. There...

Spring is a great season for catching pike, and, if you have never tried it before, now it is a very good time to start. You need to know where to find it, and how to approach it, but, nonetheless, catching pike is an enjoyable and rewarding experience that you should try at least once. Locating the pike Every angler on the planet knows that fish that is spawning is easier to catch and that the time after spawning is very sensitive for most species. Because they are hungry and they need energy, they will throw themselves on any bite of food they will see, and they will not be fussy. That makes early spring fishing such a great idea. When it comes to pike, you surely know that you will find plenty in shallow waters. However, if a lake has plenty of shallow areas, where do you start? Creeks tend to overflow in spring, and there is plenty of room for fish to cover and spawn. The fertile delta like locations that appear are the ideal environment for pike. Here is a tip on how you can narrow down your search. The largest inflows are your best bet, for the simple fact that this is where a lot of detritus will get deposited in spring. Weeds will start growing, creating the perfect conditions for pike to spawn.  ...

What is the best season for catching large carp? Spring is ideal because this cold-blooded fish begins moving around more so it can feed, and you have a better chance at bringing home larger specimens while investing very little. It is well known among anglers that carp is easier to catch in springtime, and that is why so many seasoned fishermen get ready for carp season from the first signs that spring is coming. After winter, carp needs to feed more frequently, which means that it will manifest less caution in regards to what it is eating. Now it is your best bet to catch the largest carp you can handle. Here are some further tips on how to catch carp during springtime.   What is the best bait for catching carp in springtime? There is quite a lot of debate among anglers about what bait should be used when carp becomes more energetic in its constant search for food. Particles, for instance, may be good enough, but they are far from being the best. In summer, particles work just fine, but they are not as nutritious as boilies for being used in springtime. Since carp needs to build up strength after a long winter, it will actively search for the most nutritious food available. Using sweetcorn, peas or maize may work just as fine, but boilies remain the...

Spawning fish is the easiest to pick, and that is why so many anglers choose early spring for their favorite pastime. If you are interested in catching crappie, early spring is a great time of the year, but you should keep a few things in mind. Experts say that for the best results, you should focus a bit on the spawning phases in the cycle of crappie. Once water temperatures reach the optimal values for breeding to occur, crappie starts a real frenzy, and you need to be prepared to bring home the fish. Here are some great tips for crappie fishing once the spring is here. How to catch crappie in the pre-spawn period You can catch plenty of crappies just before they start spawning and you do not have to wait for their feeding frenzy as they prepare the next generation. For this, you need to know a few things about the behavior of this species. For starters, crappies will prefer river outlets, creek mouths and the vicinity of large coves. Remember to get a sonar to locate fish. Depending on temperature, the fish can be found at various depths. For the pre-spawn season, you should choose the tactic of using several rods. You should be careful not to tangle your lines, and keep in mind that many different colored tube jigs will appeal to crappies and...

Spring fishing usually involves a lot of river fishing, and anglers can barely wait to shed off their thick coats and embark on an adventure. If you are among those who can hardly wait to grab their fishing gear and head over to one of the rivers known to be rich in fish, you will have to keep a few things in mind. Lakes are not the only places where you can enjoy some great fishing action Everyone knows that lakes and other natural reservoirs are a good place to start fishing in the spring. But that should not limit your options. Rivers are also great places for starting to fish, and you will be more than pleasantly surprised with the fast catch you will be able to enjoy.   Why creeks are a better bet than the main river for fishing A great tip from seasoned anglers refers to the fact that creeks are a better choice for catching a lot of fish as opposed to the main river. They say that creeks would be a not so brilliant opportunity only if they are over flooded by heavy rains. When such things happen, then you should be heading over to the main river and enjoy fishing there. The most notable downside of over flooded creeks is that the visibility is reduced to zero and you will not be...

For anglers who are not fond of going ice fishing, spring is the best season, as they can, once again, grab their gear and head over their favorite fishing spots. Summer is, of course, everyone’s favorite, but you do not have to wait this long. More seasoned fishermen know very well that early spring is a fantastic time for catching great fish.     Simple tips to follow when fishing at the beginning of spring Before talking what kind of freshwater species you can find during this season, let’s see a few things you should know as an angler. For starters, you should pack a lot of live bait with you. Freshwater fish is just starting to move around, and it is starved for nutritious foods. The fish can even become greedy when presented with tasty treats, and you should use this simple fact to your advantage. Another great tip you should follow is that you need to focus on fishing during afternoons. Early morning is not such an excellent time, for the simple reason that it is too cold for fish to come out on the hunt for food. They prefer afternoons when the weather becomes warmer, and water temperature rises, creating the perfect environment for feeding. Think small, think slow. Fish can be pretty lethargic as winter bids us good-bye and therefore, hunting larger prey is not...

  Fishing for bass is always a rewarding experience during the spring months. The fish start to shake off their lethargy after the long winter so they will be enthusiastically filling up on food before and after the energy-sapping spawning period. Spring is always one of the most popular times to get your share of largemouths and smallmouths using strategic fishing and smart angling techniques. Confluence or junction points are active in the spring Locate spots where the deep water and the shallow water merge. The points where the shallow water meets the deep water will have a reasonable level of fish activity in the spring. On the other hand, the points on lakes and rivers near larger creeks are popular fishing spots because they are teeming with fish. You can find a lot of pre-spawn fish in the areas where the deep sections merge with the shallow ones. Spots that also prove to be productive include warmer shallow areas where the water is hit by the bright and warm sun. You will need a depth map or a depth finder to find break-lines, points or coves. Look for banks, coves or points with break lines or deep cuts, as well as creeks that move close to shallow water for a productive bass fishing expedition. During cold periods, go for the deep break lines between 10 and 15 feet...

  After being caught indoors and getting bored all winter, there’s nothing like spring fishing to sweep away all the cobwebs of the past cold season. Once you’ve gotten everything ready, it’s time to brush up on your early spring fishing tactics, as it never hurts to become better every season. Fishing for trout A high-and-dirty trout river will easily show you where the fishing slow seams, breaks, and eddies are. However, you may end up with no bank left when the runoff level is really high. This would not be a brush-off for the seasoned angler. You can simply fish flooded cornfields and woods, Water that runs over land is shallow and warms at a faster rate. A river that spills into terra firma will seek its own level and flow right back to the main body at some point, and that is the spot you want to locate. The floodwater convergence will surely have trout stacked at the mouth considering how the baitfish and worms are delivered straight to the fish. You want to use a worm fly that gets down quickly and that acts like a large streamer. Keep the worm fly springing across the bottom as it rides any slow current or sluggish water spots where the trout might be.   Fishing for smallmouths and largemouths Cold water can bring more high or dirty water...

  If you’re an angler, the urge to get into the water and start fishing can be quite strong. However, as any self-respecting angler knows, it takes more than just the perfect tackle box, fishing reel and rod, and the nicest fishing apparel to really get the fish biting. The strategies you use for summer and late spring fishing may not always work when doing early spring angling. The basic techniques may be similar but if you consider the generally cold water, there may be tips you would like to take note of such as the following: Go fish whenever you can while keeping an eye on the weather Early spring fishing is best done as often as possible, as frequently as you can. The more times you get to indulge in your favorite pastime, the better it will be for your chances of bringing home the catch of the season. Ever heard how the best day of work is nothing compared to the worst day of fishing? That is always true. Imagine, you are near the water, getting as much sun as you can. You have the twittering of the birds as your soundtrack, and your nose is ceaselessly teased by the terrific scent of water plants, fish, and mud. Should you reel something in, you can have something to enjoy for dinner. What other bonus would a...

  With early spring comes hungry pre-spawn bass plus cold water. You may not even need plenty of tackle since all you really want is to keep things simple. Here are five baits you absolutely should have in your tackle box: Plastics You want simple and small plastic baits. The baits should exhibit simple darting and gliding action on the water. You wouldn’t want any flappy appendages. Pair simple and small plastics with a 3/16 ounce jighead. Have them skim relatively quickly along the bottom. The plastic should nosedive to the bottom speedily and should be light enough not to get weighed down in the grass. Dipping the tails in chartreuse can give you a little extra advantage, although you may prefer to stick to natural hues. Plastics are best fished on spinning tackle fitted with 6- to 8-pound fluorocarbon line. Use a medium-action rod to maximize the casting distance using a light bait and also to enable you to release more line during the hook setting process.   Jigs Designed to offer consistency in bass fishing, jigs work well in cold water. The versatility of jigs sets them apart. They offer comfortable pitching towards lily pad stems just as they do when dragged slowly off a break line 20 feet away. A jig matches the profile of a crawfish or bluegill perfectly. You want the jig to execute...

If you have never been fishing but are thinking about taking the sport up, you might be surprised to learn that there are several benefits associated with it. Fishing is one of the few activities that almost anyone can participate in, and every year more and more people are casting a line into the water for the first time. Here are a few reasons why you should consider taking up fishing.   Fishing can help you stay in shape Many people don’t realize that fishing is actually a sport, and that it does require some exercise to reach a great spot. Walking or paddling a boat can increase your heart rate and provide cardiovascular benefits, without straining muscles and tendons. You can choose how much exercise you get when you are fishing, though this does depend on how you reach a favorite fishing spot. You also have the advantage of being outdoors, which is often the first step towards living a healthier lifestyle. The sun is also an excellent source of vitamin D, though it is important to protect yourself from damaging UV rays. The type of fishing can have its own health benefits, and some initial studies has shown that it can also help some women recover from breast cancer. The repetitive motions used in fly fishing closely mimic the exercises commonly prescribed to help women with breast...