Baitshop Life

How Anglers Target Burbot When the Sun Goes Down

For anglers looking to shake up the usual winter routine, burbot offer a cold weather adventure unlike any other. Often called ling or freshwater cod, these strange, eel-like fish are closely related to saltwater cod and are one of the …

January 1, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Rob

Tip-Ups That Trigger: A Winter Guide to Raising More Pike Flags

Ice fishing for pike has a funny way of humbling even seasoned anglers. One moment the ice feels quiet and lifeless, the next a flag snaps up and a heavy fish slides onto the hard water. Tip-ups may look simple, …

December 27, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Brandy

Strings, Streams, and Mountain Roads: Why Bluegrass Belongs on Fly Fishing Trips

What happens when music becomes part of the journey Mandolins and dry flies share more than charm—they share a rhythm that fits perfectly into life on the road. As fly fishing trips add up over time, skills improve on the …

December 26, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Rob

Togging in a Blizzard: A Snowy Day on the Cape May Reef

The sunrise cast a cold, gray light over Cape May, but Captain Rob Taylor was undeterred. He sat heron-still, eyes focused, waiting to draw his prey into the open. The wind howled outside, but the tog were feeding, and the …

November 30, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Garrett

Walleye Wisdom: Avoiding Common Mistakes for a Killer Catch

November 20, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Kelly

Montana’s walleye season is in full swing, and Captain Brian Brosdahl is sharing his expert insights on the most common mistakes anglers make and how to fix them. Location, Location, Location Brosdahl stresses the importance of choosing locations based on …

The Ultimate Guide to Catching and Fishing with Leeches

October 31, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Sarah

Leeches may not be the most glamorous bait, but they’re a favorite among many anglers. These slimy creatures are a staple in the diet of many freshwater game fish, including walleye, smallmouth bass, and trout. In this guide, we’ll show …

Trick a Trout with a Wet Fly and a Swing

October 29, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Kevin

Ready to catch more trout? Swinging a wet fly is an old-school technique that’s still a game-changer. With just one or two wet flies and a standard fly rod setup, you can reel in the big ones in any river. …

Featured

How Anglers Target Burbot When the Sun Goes Down

For anglers looking to shake up the usual winter routine, burbot offer a cold weather adventure unlike any other. Often called ling or freshwater cod, these strange, eel-like fish are closely related to saltwater cod and are one of the …

January 1, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Rob

Tip-Ups That Trigger: A Winter Guide to Raising More Pike Flags

Ice fishing for pike has a funny way of humbling even seasoned anglers. One moment the ice feels quiet and lifeless, the next a flag snaps up and a heavy fish slides onto the hard water. Tip-ups may look simple, …

December 27, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Brandy

Walleye Wisdom: Avoiding Common Mistakes for a Killer Catch

Montana’s walleye season is in full swing, and Captain Brian Brosdahl is sharing his expert insights on the most common mistakes anglers make and how to fix them. Location, Location, Location Brosdahl stresses the importance of choosing locations based on …

November 20, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Kelly

Record-Breaking Hammerhead Catch Sets Texas Fishing Ablaze

A Corpus Christi fishing guide has made headlines with an extraordinary catch – a 10-foot-8-inch hammerhead shark. Tristan Bardin, also known as Sharka Brah, guided his clients to this remarkable feat near Bob Hall Pier on September 23. The shark …

September 25, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Brandy

Late Summer Bass Fishing: Deep vs. Shallow

September 2, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Kelly

Late summer presents unique challenges for bass fishing due to the excessive heat. Bass behavior changes significantly during this period, with some fish seeking deeper waters while others find relief in shaded shallows. Understanding Bass Behavior In early summer, bass …

Landing the Giants: World Record Trout Catches

July 29, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Garrett

Trout fishing is a popular sport that offers anglers the chance to catch a variety of species, each with its unique characteristics and challenges. Here, we’ll take a look at three remarkable world record trout catches that showcase the strength …

Hooked on the Big Lake: 5 Great Fishing Spots on Lake Michigan

July 7, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Garrett

Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes, spans over 22,000 square miles and is a year-round angling haven. From trout and salmon to perch and bass, the lake offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities, especially during the warmer …

Gear

Ice Fishing Fundamentals: How Tip-Ups Work and Why They Matter

Tip-up fishing is one of the most effective and time-tested methods used on frozen lakes, especially when targeting large, cold-water predators like northern pike, lake trout, and even perch. While the setup may appear simple at first glance, experienced ice …

January 1, 2026 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Garrett

Choosing the Right Fishing Line for Ice Fishing Success

When ice fishing season arrives, most anglers focus on rods, reels, and electronics. One critical piece of gear often overlooked is fishing line. Cold temperatures, icy water, and finicky winter fish place unique demands on line performance. Choosing the right …

January 1, 2026 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Rob

10 Ice Fishing Essentials Anglers Often Leave Behind

Ice fishing has a way of making anglers feel prepared. The auger is sharp, the rods are rigged, and the bait is ready. Yet many ice fishing trips still get cut short or become uncomfortable—not because the fish stop biting, …

December 30, 2025 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Brandy

Cold Season Adventures and Ice Safety Essentials Everyone Should Know

Winter transforms lakes into busy playgrounds. In many northern states, frozen water draws just as much activity as open water does in summer. Ice fishing shacks dot the landscape, pickup hockey games form at sunset, and skiers, kiteboarders, and ice …

December 30, 2025 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Kevin

Cold-Weather Fly Fishing: Smart Ways to Stay Warm and Safe All Winter

December 27, 2025 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Brandy

Winter arrived early in eastern Idaho and across Yellowstone Country, with temperatures plunging well below zero and reminding anglers just how serious cold weather can be. Conditions like these aren’t unusual in the northern Rockies, and anyone planning to fish …

Slow and Steady Wins Cold-Water Bass: Mastering Deadsticking in Winter

December 27, 2025 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Garrett

There is a time to fish fast and a time to slow everything down. Winter is firmly in the second category. When water temperatures plunge and bass metabolism follows, aggressive retrieves often fall flat. This is when deadsticking shines—a patient, …

The Art of the Hook Set: A Guide for Fly Fishers

October 31, 2025 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Sarah

Hooking a fish is an exhilarating experience, but it requires more than just luck. It demands focus, confidence, and a solid understanding of the hook set technique. In this article, we’ll explore the art of the hook set and provide …

Fishing News

Kayak Angler Lands a 16-Pound California Pot-Bellied Largemouth

Just before midday on December 13, a routine winter kayak trip turned into a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Max Lee of Clovis, California. As morning fog began to lift from the lake, Lee was scanning the water with his forward-facing sonar, …

January 1, 2026 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Rob

From Hardwood to Open Water: Ben Simmons Finds Purpose While Plotting His Next NBA Chapter

Ben Simmons has a team again—just not one playing under bright NBA arena lights. As his professional basketball future remains on pause, the three-time NBA All-Star has quietly shifted part of his focus to another lifelong passion: fishing. The former …

December 25, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Rob

Wyoming Boy Makes Fishing History at Just 12 Years Old

On August 9, 2025, Tucker Bass landed a largemouth bass that weighed just 2 pounds, 4 ounces. To some, that number might seem modest. But in the world of competitive angling, that single fish carried historic weight. The International Game …

December 17, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Kelly

Gulf Anglers Rejoice: Lack of Hurricanes Brings Crystal Clear Waters and Fantastic Fishing

The absence of hurricanes and tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico has brought a welcome surprise for anglers: crystal clear waters and incredible fishing opportunities. After a dry summer and a strong early cold front, the shallow waters west …

November 30, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Sarah

Panama Snapper Sets Sights on World Record

November 30, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Kevin

An angler fishing in Panama has landed a massive Cubera snapper that could set a new world record. Toni Peiro, a guest at Los Buzos Resort, caught the behemoth fish on his last day of fishing with the lodge. The …

Chicago Fishing Scene Abuzz with Record-Breaking Walleye Catch

November 28, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Rob

A memorable birthday outing for Leo Garza turned into a fishing trip for the ages, as he landed a whopping 14.3-pound walleye in Chicago’s Lake Michigan waters. The catch, made on a half-ounce jigging spoon dressed with white tinsel hair, …

Polish Anglers Land Record-Breaking 9.6 Foot Wels Catfish

November 26, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Garrett

In a stunning catch, Krzysztof Pyra and Adrian Gontarz, anglers from Poland’s Polish Angling Academy, have landed a massive Wels catfish measuring 292 centimeters (9.6 feet) at Rybnik Reservoir in southern Poland. This incredible catch beats the previous record of …

Eats

How to Make Fresh Trout Burgers

Fresh trout deserves more than the usual pan fry, especially when warm weather calls for lighter, creative meals. Trout burgers are an easy way to turn a day on the water into a crowd-pleasing dish that still lets the fish …

January 1, 2026 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Garrett

Sizzling Trout: A Broiler Masterpiece

Get ready to elevate your cooking game with this simple yet impressive broiled trout recipe! With a few tips and tricks, you’ll be serving up moist, flakey, and flavorful fish in no time. The Secret to Perfect Broiling First, forget …

November 30, 2025 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Kevin

Delicious Mediterranean Salmon Recipe

This easy Mediterranean salmon recipe is a healthy sheet pan dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes. The combination of warming cumin, tangy sumac, and earthy oregano brings a distinctly Mediterranean flair to the dish, while the feta cheese adds a …

October 31, 2025 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Sarah

The Art of Cleaning Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning fish is an essential skill for any angler or seafood enthusiast. Properly cleaning and preparing fish ensures the best flavor and texture, while also preventing spoilage and foodborne illness. Why Clean Fish Quickly? The sooner you clean a fish …

October 29, 2025 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Brandy

Campfire Trout with Lemon Butter: A Reel Catch

September 4, 2025 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Kelly

There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly caught trout, cooked to perfection over an open flame. This recipe for campfire trout with lemon butter is a simple yet impressive way to enjoy your catch. Ingredients: 2-3 fresh trout fillets …

6 Easy Ways to Make Fish Taste Less Fishy (That Aren’t Frying)

August 18, 2025 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Rob

Fish can be a nutritious and delicious addition to a healthy diet, but its distinct taste can be off-putting for some. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the fishy taste of seafood without frying it. Here are six dietitian-approved …

The 4th of July Lobster That Made New Jersey History—and Why It’ll Never Happen Again

July 7, 2025 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Sarah

While many spend the Fourth of July grilling burgers and watching fireworks, it also marks the anniversary of one of New Jersey’s most legendary underwater catches. On July 4, 2003, diver William Sharp surfaced with a lobster so massive it …

Fishing Techniques and Strategies

Winter Creek Fishing Made Simple

Small creeks rarely get the attention they deserve once winter sets in. Many anglers assume cold water and shallow flows mean fishing shuts down completely, but that is rarely the case. In fact, winter can be one of the most …

Why One Maine Angler Chooses Not to Ice Fish for Brook Trout

Brook trout occupy a rare and cherished space in the world of freshwater fishing, and for one seasoned Maine angler, that reverence is exactly why they are left alone once the lakes freeze. When asked about early-season ice fishing for …

Safe on the Hardwater: Essential Ice Fishing Precautions, Tips, and Gear

Ice fishing offers incredible opportunities, especially early in the season, but it also demands respect. Like any outdoor pursuit, there is always some level of risk involved. With the right mindset, proper preparation, and reliable equipment, ice fishing can be …

Winter Bass Breakdown: Where Largemouth Hide, When They Bite, and How to Trigger Bigger Fish

As winter settles in and daylight hours shrink, bass behavior changes dramatically. Colder water temperatures slow everything down, from movement to feeding patterns, forcing anglers to adjust their approach. Understanding where bass position themselves during winter, when they are most …


First Ice: Early Hard-Water Ice Fishing Safety

As the winter season sets in, many anglers eagerly await the opportunity to hit the ice and catch some big fish. However, early ice fishing comes with its own set of challenges and risks. In this article, we’ll discuss the …

Mastering Cold-Weather Bank Fishing: 4 Tactics to Boost Your Catch

November 30, 2025 | 🪝 Bait Presentation Strategies | Baitshop Brandy

As the temperatures drop, bank fishing can become a challenging and frustrating experience. However, with the right tactics and strategies, you can increase your chances of catching big bass and other species even in the coldest months. 1. Seek Calm …

Winter Crappie Fishing: Tips and Techniques

As the seasons change, crappie fishing requires adjustments to stay successful. Here are some expert tips to help you catch crappie all winter long: Southeast Louisiana Fish deeper sections of the main rivers (20 feet of water) as the fish …