Fishing Tactics

Aaron Martens has been a Bassmaster Classic runner-up three times since 2002, a testimony to his enormous fishing talent. If he ever wins the Big One, don’t expect him to fist pump or strain his vocal cords with falsetto victory screams.

Dahlberg spills his hard-won river secrets.

Don't fly fish? Expert fisherman Larry Dahlberg says that's a mistake. Dahlberg writes, "Every single human being I have ever met who has become skilled with all kinds of tackle, and is therefore qualified to judge, agrees. Hands down. Fly rodding is the most fun way to fish..." Read why here...

I know lots of anglers who are instantly turned off by the mere mention of trolling. To many, it might be considered the polar opposite of fly fishing. But, truth is, those anglers who are yearning for a fish they can cast to might save lots of time and catch more fish by first locating a bunch by trolling, then resorting to their more preferred methods.

If it is presented properly, live bait is ALWAYS the most effective way to make a fish BITE. Yes, I said ALWAYS. And I DIDN'T say hook or catch, I said BITE.

According to expert fisherman, Larry Dahlberg, in hook selection, there are three major considerations: 1. Hooking power, 2. Holding power, and 3. How the weight or shape of the hook affects the bait or lure to which it is connected.

Enter the mind of the best angler on the planet.

Aside from a few relatively rare exceptions, soft plastics are denizens of the subsurface. We Texas-, Carolina- and wacky-rig them, or fish them as add-ons to jigs or specially weighted hooks.

Unrefined as they seem, bottom bouncers work wonders, and in many cases are the best way to extract walleyes. Like any presentation, certain tricks can make a huge difference.

Knowing your knots-which ones work best in myriad fishing situations, which lines need which knots to perform up to their peak strength, and knowing how to tie each one right the first time, every time-will undoubtedly make you a better angler.