Baitshop Life

Beat the Freeze: Smart Strategies for Successful Cold-Weather Fishing

Winter doesn’t have to mean the end of fishing season. While colder temperatures can keep many anglers indoors, those willing to adapt can enjoy quiet waters, less pressure, and surprisingly productive days on the water. Cold-weather fishing simply demands a …

January 31, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Kevin

Pro-Level Ice Fishing Tips for Panfish, Perch, and Walleyes

Ice fishing has evolved far beyond drilling a hole and hoping for the best. Modern hardwater success is built on preparation, mobility, electronics, and a deep understanding of fish behavior beneath the ice. With constantly advancing technology and ever-changing fish …

January 31, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Kevin

Catch, Care, and Release: Smart Angling Practices That Protect Fish

Responsible fishing is about more than landing a catch. Modern anglers are increasingly focused on conservation, and proper fish release plays a major role in protecting fish populations for the future. Whether fishing for sport or food, knowing how to …

January 30, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Garrett

How Competitive Ice Fishing Offers Clues About Real-World Human Choices

Scientists have long studied how people make decisions when searching for food, but a recent study used an unusual setting to gather real-world data: ice fishing competitions. Researchers from an international team analyzed how anglers balance personal experience with information …

January 30, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Rob

How Anglers Target Burbot When the Sun Goes Down

January 1, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Rob

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 …

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

December 27, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Brandy

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, …

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

December 26, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Rob

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 …

Featured

Pro-Level Ice Fishing Tips for Panfish, Perch, and Walleyes

Ice fishing has evolved far beyond drilling a hole and hoping for the best. Modern hardwater success is built on preparation, mobility, electronics, and a deep understanding of fish behavior beneath the ice. With constantly advancing technology and ever-changing fish …

January 31, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Kevin

Catch, Care, and Release: Smart Angling Practices That Protect Fish

Responsible fishing is about more than landing a catch. Modern anglers are increasingly focused on conservation, and proper fish release plays a major role in protecting fish populations for the future. Whether fishing for sport or food, knowing how to …

January 30, 2026 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Garrett

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

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 …

Record-Breaking Hammerhead Catch Sets Texas Fishing Ablaze

September 25, 2025 | 🪝 Baitshop Life | Baitshop Brandy

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 …

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 …

Gear

Surf Fishing Made Simple: A Practical Starting Point for Beach Anglers

Surf fishing can feel overwhelming at first. Standing on the shoreline with crashing waves and endless water in front of you makes the ocean seem far more complex than a pond or river. One of the most common questions new …

January 31, 2026 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Kelly

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

December 30, 2025 | 🪝 Gear | Baitshop Kevin

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 …

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, …

Fishing News

Record-Breaking Rainbow Trout Stuns Anglers at Dworshak Reservoir

While many Idaho anglers were focused on winter ice conditions in mid-January, one fisherman at Dworshak Reservoir had a very different reason to pull out a tape measure. On January 13, Todd Phillips of Fruitland landed a rainbow trout so …

January 31, 2026 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Brandy

Proposed Policy Shifts Could Reshape Salmon Fishing in British Columbia

A proposed update to Canada’s salmon allocation policy could significantly alter recreational fishing opportunities in British Columbia. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is reviewing a framework that has guided salmon management since 1999, and two suggested changes have raised concern …

January 31, 2026 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Kelly

Mendocino Angler Lands Rare Rockfish That Could Rewrite the Record Books

A Mendocino County fisherman is still waiting on official confirmation, but his recent catch has already made waves along the Northern California coast. Brendan Walsh reeled in a canary rockfish that could potentially set both state and world records, turning …

January 27, 2026 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Kevin

Giants QB Jaxson Dart Reels in a Monster Catch During Cabo Getaway With Marissa Ayers

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is making the most of his first NFL offseason and doing it far from the football field. The 22-year-old quarterback recently traveled to Los Cabos, Mexico, with his girlfriend, Marissa Ayers, where the couple …

January 27, 2026 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Kevin

Upstate New York Ice Fishing Season Shaping Up to Be One for the Ages

January 26, 2026 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Brandy

As most Central New Yorkers brace for plunging temperatures, ice anglers are welcoming the cold with open arms. A powerful blast of Arctic air is settling into the region, and for those who love fishing through the ice, it could …

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

January 1, 2026 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Rob

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, …

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

December 25, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Rob

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 …

Eats

Golden Fried Fish Sliders with Creamy Southern Pimento Spread

Fresh fish recipes often help anglers turn a successful fishing trip into a memorable meal. Fried fish sliders paired with creamy pimento cheese deliver a rich, satisfying bite that blends crispy texture with smooth, cheesy flavor. Pimento cheese has long …

January 28, 2026 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Rob

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

October 29, 2025 | 🪝 Eats | Baitshop Brandy

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 …

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 …

Fishing Techniques and Strategies

Understanding River Backwater Habitat in Winter Waters

As winter settles in, rivers undergo dramatic changes that directly affect fish behavior. Falling water temperatures, reduced daylight, and ice cover force many species to abandon their summer ranges and seek out areas that offer stability and survival. Research conducted …

Cold Water, Hot Bite: Smart Strategies for Winter Fishing Success

Fishing does not have to stop when temperatures drop. Many anglers actually find winter fishing to be productive because fish often group together, creating strong opportunities for steady action. Fewer anglers on the water can also mean less pressure on …

Proven Ways to Boost Winter Catches

Cold weather does not automatically mean fishing success disappears. Winter fishing can range from slow and technical to surprisingly productive depending on location, species, and recent weather patterns. Southern and Gulf Coast waters often stay more active than northern inshore …

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 …