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Conventional Fishing

Expert Journal

Recent

A largemouth bass jumping out of the water.
Updated
The Different Types of Bass: Largemouth Bass vs. Smallmouth Bass and Everything in Between
This guide gives you an overview of the main types of bass, their similarities, differences, and habitats, so you can identify what you caught!
A man holds a fishing rod and reel in his hand.
Updated
The 11 Best Fishing Brands
This list breaks down the eleven best conventional fishing brands. If you’re unsure of where to start with your next gear purchase, these brands are great choices.
A body of water covered in grasses with trees on the banks in the background. Above, the sky is light blue and full of fluffy white clouds.
Updated
An Expert Guide to the Best Flipping Baits for Bass
Fishing Expert Brayden Sharp covers the different rigs and baits to use, where to fish, and the gear you need to be the most successful when flipping baits for bass.
Close up of a spinning fishing reel.
Updated
Fishing Reels 101: How to Choose the Best Spinning Reel for You
Fishing Expert Danny Palmquist walks us through all the details to consider to narrow down what type of spinning reel would be best for you!
Close up view of a fisherman holding a fishing rod.
Updated
How to Choose a Spinning Rod: What to Know Before You Buy
When it comes to spinning rods, there are a lot of options! Check out the considerations below to ensure you choose the best spinning rod for you!
Someone has a baitcasting rod set up off the back of a boat at sunset.
Updated
An Expert Guide to Choosing the Best Baitcasting Rod
Choosing the right fishing rod style can be a tough choice for advanced anglers and beginners alike. Curated Fishing Experts dive into everything you need to know.

Popular

Two people standing on a pier fishing
Updated
The 13 Best Fishing Rod Brands
Looking for a new rod? Conventional Fishing Expert Danny Palmquist lays out his top 13 fishing rod brands that you can be confident in when making your purchase.
A man holds a fishing rod and reel in his hand.
Updated
The 11 Best Fishing Brands
This list breaks down the eleven best conventional fishing brands. If you’re unsure of where to start with your next gear purchase, these brands are great choices.
Someone holds a crappie by the lip over a rocky area.
Updated
Crappie Fishing Explained: The Best Bait, Lures, and More
Curated Fishing Expert Alex Johnson shares his guide to catching crappie and all of the tips he's learned along the way.
Close up of a spinning fishing reel.
Updated
Fishing Reels 101: How to Choose the Best Spinning Reel for You
Fishing Expert Danny Palmquist walks us through all the details to consider to narrow down what type of spinning reel would be best for you!
How to Catch Catfish: A Step-by-Step Guide
Updated
How to Catch Catfish: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow Fishing expert Alex Johnson's steps to start your journey to becoming a catfish angler, or simply gather a few new tips to make you a better one.
A display of twister tail and jig heads on a wooden table.
Updated
The Most Underrated Fishing Lure of All Time: The Twister Tail Grub
Fishing Expert Alex Johnson goes over gear considerations, rigging tips, and fishing techniques so you can utilize this amazing lure and have some fun on the water!

Buying Guides

Five anglers stand in the waves and fish on the sea.
Updated
Casting the Perfect Bait: An Expert Guide to the Best Lures for Saltwater Fishing
From the best soft plastics to the most enticing topwater baits, Fishing expert Christian Nelson shares his list of top-performing saltwater baits.
A fisherman fishing in the ocean waves at sunset
Updated
Spinning Rods vs. The Rest: How to Choose the Best Rod for Your Fishing Needs
Fishing Expert Tanner Druffel runs through everything you need to know to find the right spinning rod for you and your needs.
A box full of lures and bait and other tackle.
Updated
Live Bait vs Artificial Lures: A Guide to Choosing the Best Fishing Lure
Not sure whether to use live bait or throw an artificial lure? Fishing Expert Christian Nelson shares the best times to use each in this easy guide.
A collage of images of the crankbaits and jerkbaits that the author mentioned in the article.
Updated
Jerkbait vs. Crankbait: Which Is Best for You?
Jerkbaits and crankbaits are great for imitating baitfish, but which one should you use? Fishing Expert Jake Baum covers their differences and ideal uses.
A woman wearing a PFD holds up a large redfish with plastic fish grabbers and one hand under its belly.
Updated
How to Catch Redfish
In this guide, Fishing Expert Christian Nelson delves into redfish habits and habitats to explain the best methods of catching these sportfish.
Close up view of a fisherman holding a fishing rod.
Updated
How to Choose a Spinning Rod: What to Know Before You Buy
When it comes to spinning rods, there are a lot of options! Check out the considerations below to ensure you choose the best spinning rod for you!

Brand Guides

A man holds a fishing rod and reel in his hand.
Updated
The 11 Best Fishing Brands
This list breaks down the eleven best conventional fishing brands. If you’re unsure of where to start with your next gear purchase, these brands are great choices.

Most Recommended

Different fishing lured laid out on wood
Updated
The Best Lures for Inshore Species
Never been inshore fishing before? Conventional Fishing Expert Michael Matey explains his top lure choices to help you target fish in different water column levels.

Product Reviews

Curated Expert Charles Edington, fishing and wearing the Orvis Ultralight Convertible Waders
Updated
Expert Review: Orvis Ultralight Convertible Wader
This review is my own honest opinion of the waders, which I bought with my own money in April 2021.

Gift Guides

Two men sit on a dock and fish. The trees surrounding the pond are changing colors.
Updated
The Ultimate 2021 Holiday Fishing Gift Guide
Not sure what present to give to the fishing enthusiast in your life? Check out this gift guide with ideas sure to put a smile on their face.
A woman holds a fishing rod over a sparkling body of water. We see her from behind.
Updated
10 Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Angler Moms
Does your mom love to fish? Get her the perfect Mother's Day present for getting outside with the help of Fishing Expert Alex Johnson.

Product Care

Someone holds a conventional fishing rod.
Updated
How to Care for Your Fishing Gear
Taking proper care of your fishing gear can drastically prolong its life and save you money! Fishing Expert Alex Johnson guides you through the best practices for each product.

How To

Two older men sit in a green canoe on a lake full of lilypads. They both hold fishing rods and one holds a net as well.
Updated
Know the Slang: A Guide to Fishing Terms
Fishing Expert Alex Johnson breaks down fishing lingo, covering everything from gear terms to slang so you can feel comfortable on the water and in the bait shop.
A flounder with its mouth open lays on a gray wood background.
Updated
How to Catch Flounder
In this article, Fishing expert Christian Nelson breaks down exactly how he goes about finding and catching flounder so you can get some fish of your own!
Hands working on a fishing reel.
Updated
How to Spool a Baitcaster or Spinning Reel for Zero Fishing Line Twist
Expert Billy J. reviews the basics of line selection and gives you step-by-step instructions on how to spool your fishing reel for both spinning gear and baitcasters!
A man kayaks low to the water with a cooler, net, bucket, and fishing rod all visible from the boat.
Updated
How to Rig Your Kayak for Fishing
As a beginner, it can be daunting to decide what is truly key to your success on the water when kayak fishing. Christian Nelson breaks down all of the essentials here.
A man holds a fishing rod. There is some foliage around the river where he is fishing.
Updated
Your Guide to Flipping, Pitching, and Punching for Bass in Thick Cover
If you're looking to fish for bass in the summer, you better get used to casting in thick grass, branches, and other foliage. Here are some pointers to help!
A man ice fishing
Updated
Make the Most of Winter Fishing: 10 Species to Target
Wondering what is out there in the cold water? Conventional Fishing Expert Danny Palmquist lays out his top 10 target species for the winter season.

Travel Guides

Yellowstone Lake extends to the left and a shrubby meadow fills the right.
Updated
A Guide to Fishing in National Parks
Fishing Expert Christian Nelson shares his tips for fishing in a national park to help you take advantage of this amazing experience.
The author stands on a boat and holds a mahi-mahi.
Updated
Top 5 Saltwater Fishing Destinations
Conventional Fishing expert Christian Nelson shares his five favorite saltwater fishing destinations across the country, from California to Louisiana.

Activities

The author holds a fish by its mouth in front of a muddy creek with a sandy bank.
Updated
How to Find Fishing Spots Near You
Ever been stumped on where to fish? In this article, Fishing expert Christian Nelson breaks down exactly how he finds a fishing spot anywhere he goes.
Someone holds a crappie by the lip over a rocky area.
Updated
Crappie Fishing Explained: The Best Bait, Lures, and More
Curated Fishing Expert Alex Johnson shares his guide to catching crappie and all of the tips he's learned along the way.
Someone kayaks on open water, heading away from the camera. The sun sets before them and they and their fishing gear are silhouetted.
Updated
How to Plan a Kayak Fishing Trip
Kayak fishing is arguably the best way to broaden your horizons as an angler. Fishing expert Christian Nelson breaks down all you need to know about planning a float.
A man with a short white beard, a white t-shirt, a hat, and sunglasses holds up a massive blue, green, and yellow fish while standing on a boat.
Updated
How to Plan Your First Offshore Trip
Fishing Expert Christian Nelson shares all the necessary planning for your first offshore fishing trip so you'll be prepared and ready for fun!
The author holds up a fish by the lip in front of a muddy creek.
Updated
What to Pack For a Day of Wade Fishing Creeks
Fishing expert Christian Nelson shares what he brings along on his favorite fishing excursions, wade fishing through his local creeks.

Events

Curated Experts with a professional fisherman at ICAST 2022.
Updated
The Best Fishing Gear from ICAST 2022
Curious about 2022's top-rated reels, rods, and tackle? Check out the ultimate ICAST breakdown here.
Bassmaster Classic 2021 – Highlights
Updated
Bassmaster Classic 2021 – Highlights
Fishing expert Brayden Sharp covers the tournaments' biggest moments, its top rankings, and how winner Hank Cherry secured his 50lb win.

Stories

A fish in a net over the water
Updated
A Day in My Life as a Curated Fishing Expert
We are real people with family, hobbies, and usually other jobs. We weave this sweet little gig into our daily life. We work pretty hard to find the right gear.

Short Answers

Close up of a fishermen holding a fishing rod.
Updated
When Does Fishing Season Start?
Fishing Expert Adam Fox shares his answers to some of the questions he runs into most frequently as an angler in terms of when and when not to fish.
A man fishes off of a pier with waves crashing in the background. Painted in black on the white railing of the pier is "DO NOT FEED BIRDS."
Updated
How to Get a Fishing License
In this handy Q&A article, Fishing Expert Adam Fox shares the answers to common questions about getting a fishing license to help out the beginner fishing community!

All Articles

A largemouth bass jumping out of the water.
Updated
The Different Types of Bass: Largemouth Bass vs. Smallmouth Bass and Everything in Between
This guide gives you an overview of the main types of bass, their similarities, differences, and habitats, so you can identify what you caught!
A man holds a fishing rod and reel in his hand.
Updated
The 11 Best Fishing Brands
This list breaks down the eleven best conventional fishing brands. If you’re unsure of where to start with your next gear purchase, these brands are great choices.
A body of water covered in grasses with trees on the banks in the background. Above, the sky is light blue and full of fluffy white clouds.
Updated
An Expert Guide to the Best Flipping Baits for Bass
Fishing Expert Brayden Sharp covers the different rigs and baits to use, where to fish, and the gear you need to be the most successful when flipping baits for bass.
Close up of a spinning fishing reel.
Updated
Fishing Reels 101: How to Choose the Best Spinning Reel for You
Fishing Expert Danny Palmquist walks us through all the details to consider to narrow down what type of spinning reel would be best for you!
Close up view of a fisherman holding a fishing rod.
Updated
How to Choose a Spinning Rod: What to Know Before You Buy
When it comes to spinning rods, there are a lot of options! Check out the considerations below to ensure you choose the best spinning rod for you!
Someone has a baitcasting rod set up off the back of a boat at sunset.
Updated
An Expert Guide to Choosing the Best Baitcasting Rod
Choosing the right fishing rod style can be a tough choice for advanced anglers and beginners alike. Curated Fishing Experts dive into everything you need to know.
A man holds a fishing rod. There is some foliage around the river where he is fishing.
Updated
Your Guide to Flipping, Pitching, and Punching for Bass in Thick Cover
If you're looking to fish for bass in the summer, you better get used to casting in thick grass, branches, and other foliage. Here are some pointers to help!
A fishing rod sitting against a rock with a pond in the background.
Updated
The Best Panfish Setups for Every Budget
No matter your budget, there is a perfect panfish setup out there for you! Fishing Expert Danny Palmquist breaks down the best options for each budget!
Several people fish from the shore of the ocean as the sun sets.
Updated
Fishing Reels: How to Choose the Right One for You
There's a lot to consider when picking out a reel! Fishing Expert Danny Palmquist gives a detailed guide to fishing reels so that you can make the right decision!
A woman holds a fishing rod over a sparkling body of water. We see her from behind.
Updated
10 Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Angler Moms
Does your mom love to fish? Get her the perfect Mother's Day present for getting outside with the help of Fishing Expert Alex Johnson.
A fisherman casting his fishing rod in a body of water.
Updated
Fishing Rod and Reel Combos: How to Choose the Best One for You
Set yourself up for success this fishing season by ensuring you have the correct fishing rod and reel combination to land some big ones!
A hand on a conventional fishing rod. There is a body of water in the background.
Updated
Swimbait Fishing for Bass
Looking to land some big bass this season? If so, you won't want to miss these tips on swimbait fishing from Fishing Expert Danny Palmquist!