Field Notes
How to Fish
City-by-city and water-by-water guides — where the access is, and how to fish it.
Westport, WA
How to Fish Westport, Washington: Salmon, Tuna, and the Charter Fleet
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Westport — how to catch ocean salmon, albacore tuna, halibut, and lingcod with the charter fleet, plus jetty and surf fishing, Dungeness crab, and razor clams from shore.
West Yellowstone, MT
How to Fish West Yellowstone, Montana: The Madison System and the Park
Everything a beginner needs to fly fish West Yellowstone — the two licenses you need, the legendary waters (Firehole, Gibbon, Madison, Hebgen Lake), the hatches that time your trip, and how to catch wild trout at the gate of Yellowstone.
Virginia Beach, VA
How to Fish Virginia Beach: A Beginner's Guide to Red Drum, Cobia, Flounder, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Virginia Beach — red drum and cobia at the CBBT, flounder in Rudee Inlet, speckled trout in Lynnhaven, surf fishing for pompano and drum, charter options, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Venice, LA
How to Fish Venice, Louisiana: A First-Timer's Guide to Tuna Town and the Delta Marshes
Everything a beginner needs to fish Venice, Louisiana — offshore yellowfin tuna under oil rigs, inshore redfish and speckled trout in the marsh, red snapper and cobia on nearshore structure, plus charter costs, tackle, techniques, and what to bring.
Valdez, AK
How to Fish Valdez, Alaska: Roadside Salmon and Prince William Sound
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Valdez — how to catch silver and pink salmon from shore at Allison Point, chase giant halibut in Prince William Sound, enter Alaska's oldest fish derbies, and stay safe around the bears.
Traverse City, MI
How to Fish Traverse City, Michigan: A Beginner's Guide to Salmon, Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Grand Traverse Bay
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Traverse City — trolling for salmon and lake trout on Grand Traverse Bay, smallmouth bass on the rocky shoals, fly fishing the Boardman River, fall salmon runs, ice fishing, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Tofino / Ucluelet, BC
How to Fish Tofino and Ucluelet, British Columbia: Chinook Salmon, Halibut, and Lingcod on Vancouver Island's Wild West Coast
Vancouver Island's west coast is where the Pacific Ocean meets old-growth rainforest, and the fishing matches the landscape — chinook salmon, halibut, lingcod, and coho in the open ocean and the protected waters of Barkley Sound.
Tampa, FL
How to Fish Tampa Bay: A Beginner's Guide to Flats, Bridges, Passes, and Piers
A hands-on beginner guide to fishing Tampa Bay — from wading the grass flats of Weedon Island and Cockroach Bay to night fishing the Gandy Bridge, working the passes on a falling tide, and pier fishing the Skyway. Covers gear, rigs, bait, species, tides, and the local knowledge that separates a good day from a blank.
Sun Valley, ID
How to Fish Sun Valley, Idaho: A Beginner's Guide to Silver Creek, the Big Wood River, and Idaho's Premier Fly Fishing
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Sun Valley — Silver Creek's legendary spring creek trout, Big Wood River freestone fly fishing, South Fork Boise tailwater, high mountain lakes, gear setups, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Stuart, FL
How to Fish Stuart, Florida: The Sailfish Capital of the World, Plus Snook, Tarpon, and the Indian River Lagoon
Stuart earned its title as the Sailfish Capital of the World because the Gulf Stream runs closer to shore here than almost anywhere on the East Coast. But the inshore fishing — snook, redfish, tarpon in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Inlet — is just as compelling.
Steamboat Springs, CO
How to Fish Steamboat Springs, Colorado: The Yampa, a Tailwater, and Mountain Lakes
Everything a beginner needs to fish Steamboat Springs — the Yampa River through town, the world-class Stagecoach tailwater, the Elk River, and the valley lakes with their trout, arctic grayling, and pike.
South Padre Island, TX
How to Fish South Padre Island: A Beginner's Guide to the Laguna Madre, Jetties, Surf, and Gulf
Everything a first-timer needs to fish South Padre Island — wade fishing the Laguna Madre for redfish and trout, jetty fishing at the pass, surf casting for pompano, and offshore trips for snapper and kingfish. Gear, rigs, bait, and tides.
Sitka, AK
How to Fish Sitka, Alaska: A First-Timer's Guide to Salmon, Halibut, and Bottomfish
What a beginner needs to fish Sitka — the Alaska license and king stamp rules, how the charter boats troll and mooch for king and silver salmon, how halibut and rockfish bottom fishing works, where you can fish from shore, and exactly what to pack for a day on Sitka Sound.
Seward, AK
How to Fish Seward, Alaska: Silver Salmon, Halibut, and Resurrection Bay
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Seward — how to catch silver salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod on Resurrection Bay, the famous August derby, the combo charter to book, and how to catch salmon from shore.
Seattle, WA
How to Fish Seattle: A Beginner's Guide to Salmon, Squid, Crab, and Puget Sound
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Seattle — pier fishing for salmon on Puget Sound, squid jigging at night, Dungeness crab from the dock, freshwater bass and trout in city lakes, and salmon charters. Gear, rigs, seasons, and local rules.
Savannah, GA
How to Fish Savannah, Georgia: A Beginner's Guide to Marsh Creeks, Wassaw Sound, and Lowcountry Redfish
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Savannah — redfish and trout in the marsh creeks, flounder in the tidal rivers, sheepshead off the Tybee piers, offshore bottom fishing for snapper and grouper, gear setups, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Sarasota, FL
How to Fish Sarasota, Florida: Snook on the Flats, the Three Passes, and the Beach Tarpon Run
Sarasota Bay and its three passes grow some of Florida's biggest snook, the summer tarpon migration parades right down the beaches, and the Myakka River adds a freshwater bonus — more distinct fishing in a small footprint than almost anywhere on the Gulf Coast.
San Francisco, CA
How to Fish San Francisco Bay: A Beginner's Guide to Halibut, Stripers, and Pier Fishing Under the Golden Gate
Everything a first-timer needs to fish San Francisco Bay — California halibut on the flats, striped bass in the tidal rips, leopard sharks from the piers, sturgeon in winter, plus pier fishing spots, charter costs, tides, and licensing.
San Diego, CA
How to Fish San Diego: A Beginner's Guide to Piers, Surf, Bay, and the Sportfishing Fleet
Everything a first-timer needs to fish San Diego — license-free pier fishing, surf rigs for corbina and perch, bay fishing for halibut and spotted bass, half-day sportfishing boats for yellowtail and tuna, and the gear that works for each.
Rockport, TX
How to Fish Rockport, Texas: Wading the Coastal Bend Flats
Everything a beginner needs to fish Rockport — how to wade the Coastal Bend flats for redfish and speckled trout, where to fish across the five bay systems, the rigs and lures that work, and how to read the wind-driven tides.
Put-in-Bay, OH
How to Fish Put-in-Bay, Ohio: Walleye, Perch, and the Western Basin
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Put-in-Bay — how to catch Lake Erie walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass around South Bass Island, when the walleye bite shifts from reef jigging to open-water trolling, and how to book a charter.
Portland, OR
How to Fish Portland, Oregon: A Beginner's Guide to Salmon, Steelhead, Sturgeon, and the City's Three Rivers
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Portland — spring Chinook on the Willamette, fall salmon and sturgeon on the Columbia, steelhead on the Clackamas and Sandy, bank fishing access in the city, gear setups, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Port Aransas, TX
How to Fish Port Aransas: Jetties, Pier, Flats, and the Pass That Feeds It All
Port Aransas sits at the mouth of Aransas Pass, where massive tidal flow through the jetties, a 1,240-foot Gulf pier, and the shallow flats of Redfish Bay create one of the most beginner-accessible saltwater fisheries in Texas.
Panama City, FL
How to Fish Panama City Beach: Piers, Jetties, and the Gulf for Beginners
A hands-on beginner guide to fishing Panama City Beach — from the 1,500-foot Gulf piers and St. Andrews State Park jetties to Shell Island surf fishing and the offshore fleet. Covers gear, rigs, bait, species, and the local details that make PCB one of Florida's most accessible fishing destinations.
Pagosa Springs, CO
How to Fish Pagosa Springs, Colorado: Rivers, Reservoirs, and High-Country Trout
Everything a beginner needs to fish Pagosa Springs — the three tiers of water (rivers, reservoirs, and wilderness lakes), what to catch in each, how to time the snowmelt runoff, and the gear that works.
Outer Banks, NC
How to Fish the Outer Banks: A Beginner's Guide to OBX Surf, Pier, and Sound Fishing
The Outer Banks is the East Coast's ultimate fishing destination, where 200 miles of barrier islands put you within casting distance of drum, bluefish, and striped bass. This guide covers surf fishing at Cape Point, pier fishing at Jennette's and Avalon, sound-side tactics on the Pamlico, and everything you need to start catching fish on OBX.
Orange Beach, AL
How to Fish Orange Beach, Alabama: Red Snapper Offshore, Redfish in the Pass, and Everything the Gulf Puts on Your Line
Orange Beach is Alabama's Gulf Coast fishing hub — red snapper and amberjack offshore, redfish and speckled trout in Perdido Pass and the back bays, pompano and whiting from the surf. Here's how to fish all three zones.
Ocean City, MD
How to Fish Ocean City, MD: A Beginner's Guide to the Inlet, Piers, Head Boats, and the Canyons
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Ocean City, Maryland — the inlet jetties for stripers and flounder, pier fishing for croaker, head boats for sea bass and flounder, surf fishing, and offshore canyon trips for tuna and marlin. Gear, rigs, and practical tips.
Oahu, HI
How to Fish Oahu: Shore Whipping, Bonefish Flats, and Blue Water
Everything a first-timer needs to fish O'ahu — the three shore techniques that catch papio and ulua, where to fish each coast, world-class bonefish flats, and how to get out on the blue water off Waikiki.
New Orleans, LA
How to Fish New Orleans: A Beginner's Guide to Marsh Redfish, Bayou Bass, and the Delta
Everything a first-timer needs to fish New Orleans — sight-casting for redfish in the marsh, speckled trout on the bayou, bass in City Park, bank fishing without a boat, and inshore charters. Gear, rigs, bait, and what to expect.
Nashville, TN
How to Fish Nashville, Tennessee: A First-Timer's Guide to Music City's Freshwater
Nashville puts world-class freshwater fishing within an hour of Broadway — tailwater trout on the Caney Fork, bass on Percy Priest and Old Hickory lakes, trophy stripers and catfish on the Cumberland River, and creek smallmouth on the Harpeth. Here is the beginner gear, rigs, bait, and technique for each one.
Naples, FL
How to Fish Naples, Florida: Snook in the Mangroves, Tarpon at the Pass, and the Ten Thousand Islands Backcountry
Naples is the gateway to some of the best inshore fishing in Florida — snook along the mangrove shorelines, redfish on the flats, tarpon rolling through Gordon Pass, and the wild backcountry of the Ten Thousand Islands just south of town.
Nantucket, MA
How to Fish Nantucket, Massachusetts: Stripers on the Sand, False Albacore in the Rips, and the Island Grand Slam
Nantucket is an island built for surf fishing — miles of accessible beach, striped bass on every tide, false albacore and bonito screaming through the rips in fall, and a fishing culture that takes the sport seriously.
Myrtle Beach, SC
How to Fish Myrtle Beach: A Beginner's Guide to Piers, Surf, and Inlets
Myrtle Beach has more fishing piers per mile than anywhere on the East Coast, plus 60 miles of surf and the fish-rich creeks of Murrells Inlet. Here's everything a first-timer needs to know about gear, rigs, bait, and technique to actually catch fish on the Grand Strand.
Mountain Home, AR
How to Fish Mountain Home and the White River, Arkansas: A Tailwater Guide to World-Class Trout Below Bull Shoals Dam
The White River below Bull Shoals Dam is one of the greatest trout fisheries in the world — 90 miles of cold tailwater holding rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and brook trout year-round. Here's how to fish it, from the dam to Guion.
Montauk, NY
How to Fish Montauk: A Beginner's Guide to Surf Casting, Party Boats, and the Striper Blitz
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Montauk — surf casting for striped bass at the lighthouse, party boats for fluke and sea bass, offshore charters for tuna, and what gear actually works on the rocks. Rigs, bait, tackle, and practical tips.
Missoula, MT
How to Fish Missoula, Montana: A Beginner's Guide to Four Trout Rivers and 'A River Runs Through It' Country
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Missoula — the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, and Rock Creek. Fly fishing techniques, which river to choose, hatches, gear, wading vs. floating, and how to fish the water Norman Maclean made famous.
Miami, FL
How to Fish Miami: A Beginner's Guide to Bridges, Piers, Peacock Bass, and the Deep Blue
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Miami — pier fishing at South Pointe, bridge fishing for snook and tarpon, peacock bass in the canals, Biscayne Bay flats, and offshore charters. Gear, rigs, bait, techniques, and what to actually expect.
Maui, HI
How to Fish Maui: A Beginner's Guide to Shore Fishing, Reef Species, and Pacific Blue Water
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Maui — whipping for papio from shore, dunking for ulua, reef bottom fishing, bonefish on the flats, and offshore charters for mahi-mahi and marlin. Hawaiian species names, gear, rigs, and local etiquette.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
How to Fish Mammoth Lakes, California: A Beginner's Guide to Eastern Sierra Trout
Stocked rainbows off the bank, trophy browns in Crowley Lake, and wild trout in Hot Creek — the Eastern Sierra around Mammoth Lakes is one of the best places in America to catch your first trout. Here's how to start.
Maine, ME
How to Fish Maine: A Beginner's Guide to the State's Lakes, Rivers, and Coast — Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon, and Striped Bass
Maine has more wild fishing water than any state in the East. Here's how to fish it, region by region — the Rangeley and Moosehead lakes for brook trout and landlocked salmon, the coast for striped bass, groundfish offshore, plus licenses and hiring a Registered Maine Guide.
Ludington, MI
How to Fish Ludington, Michigan: A Beginner's Guide to Salmon, Steelhead, Piers, and Charters
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Ludington — what gear to bring, how to rig for the breakwater piers, what the charter captains run on Lake Michigan, how the Pere Marquette River salmon and steelhead run works, and where to take the family for walleye and panfish on Hamlin Lake.
Long Beach, WA
How to Fish Long Beach & Ilwaco, Washington: A Beginner's Guide to Razor Clams, Salmon, Sturgeon, and the Columbia River Mouth
Everything a first-timer needs for the Long Beach Peninsula — razor clam digging on the beach, jetty fishing at Cape Disappointment, Buoy 10 salmon, Columbia River sturgeon, surf perch, offshore albacore, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Lake Texoma, OK
How to Fish Lake Texoma, Oklahoma/Texas: The Striper Capital of the World and Everything Else Swimming in It
Lake Texoma is the only major reservoir in the country with a self-sustaining striped bass population — no stocking needed. Add catfish, largemouth, smallmouth, and a liberal 10-fish striper limit, and you have one of the best freshwater fisheries in the South.
Lake Tahoe, CA
How to Fish Lake Tahoe: A Beginner's Guide to Mackinaw, Kokanee, and Trophy Trout
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Lake Tahoe — trolling and jigging for mackinaw (lake trout) in deep water, kokanee salmon in summer, rainbow and brown trout from shore and boat, charter costs, licensing across two states, and what gear to bring.
Lake Placid, NY
How to Fish Lake Placid, New York: A Beginner's Guide to the Adirondacks
Lake trout in deep, clear water, the legendary Ausable River, and brook trout in backcountry ponds — the Adirondack High Peaks are a coldwater angler's dream. Here's how a first-timer gets started in Lake Placid.
Lake of the Ozarks, MO
How to Fish Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri: A Beginner's Guide to Bass, Crappie, and Dock Fishing
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Lake of the Ozarks — dock-skipping for largemouth bass, brush pile crappie on jigs, blue catfish on cut shad, white bass schooling action, bank fishing access, gear setups, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Lake Erie, OH
How to Fish Lake Erie, Ohio: A Beginner's Guide to Walleye, Perch, Steelhead, and the Walleye Capital of the World
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Lake Erie — spring walleye jigging on the reefs, summer trolling with crankbaits, fall jumbo perch on spreader rigs, winter steelhead in the tributaries, charter options, shore access, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Lake Charles, LA
How to Fish Lake Charles, Louisiana: A Beginner's Guide to Big Lake
Calcasieu Lake — "Big Lake" — is one of the country's premier trophy speckled trout fisheries, with redfish and flounder filling out the marsh. Here's how a first-timer gets started in Southwest Louisiana.
Kona, HI
How to Fish Kona, Hawaii: A Beginner's Guide to Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, and the Big Island's Deep-Water Fishery
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Kona — blue marlin trolling a quarter-mile from shore, yellowfin tuna and mahi mahi, nearshore ono, shore fishing for ulua and bonefish, charter options, and practical details for visiting anglers on the Big Island.
Kodiak, AK
How to Fish Kodiak, Alaska: A First-Timer's Guide to Trophy Halibut and Salmon
What a beginner needs to fish Kodiak Island — the Alaska license and king stamp, charters for trophy halibut and all five salmon, the road-system Buskin River, remote fly-out river fishing for silvers and sockeye, bear awareness, and the gear and tactics that work on the Emerald Isle.
Key West, FL
How to Fish Key West: A Beginner's Guide to the Southernmost Fishery
Key West puts you at the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Gulf, with world-class flats, historic bridges, walkable piers, and blue water all within reach. Here's everything a first-timer needs to know about gear, techniques, and where to start.
Ketchikan, AK
How to Fish Ketchikan, Alaska: A First-Timer's Guide to Salmon and Halibut
What a beginner needs to fish Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World — the Alaska license and king stamp, charters for all five salmon and halibut minutes from the dock, the downtown Ketchikan Creek run, crabbing, and the gear and tactics that work in Alaska's Inside Passage.
Kennebunkport, ME
How to Fish Kennebunkport, Maine: Stripers From the Surf, Bluefish on the Jetties, and Bluefin Tuna Offshore
Kennebunkport is classic New England saltwater fishing — striped bass in the river mouths and off the beaches, bluefish and mackerel on the jetties, and bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Maine. Here's how to fish all of it.
Kenai, AK
How to Fish the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: A First-Timer's Guide to Gear, Rigs, and Technique
Everything a beginner needs to fish the Kenai Peninsula — species-by-species gear setups for king salmon, sockeye, silver salmon, halibut, and rainbow trout. Rigs, techniques, the famous Kenai flip, bear safety, regulations, and the practical details most guides assume you already know.
Kauai, HI
How to Fish Kauai, Hawaii: A First-Timer's Guide to Offshore Big Game and Shore Fishing
What a beginner needs to fish Kauai — the (free) Hawaii saltwater rules, offshore charters for marlin, mahi, ahi, and ono in the deep water close to shore, shore fishing for ulua, papio, and oio, the public piers, freshwater bass at Wailua Reservoir, and the gear and tactics that work on the Garden Isle.
Juneau, AK
How to Fish Juneau, Alaska: A First-Timer's Guide to Salmon, Halibut, and Shore Fishing
What a beginner needs to fish Juneau — the Alaska license and king stamp, charters for salmon and halibut out of Auke Bay, the road-system shore fishery for salmon and Dolly Varden, crabbing, and the gear and tactics that work in Alaska's Inside Passage capital.
Jacksonville, FL
How to Fish Jacksonville, FL: A Beginner's Guide to the St. Johns River, Mayport Jetties, and Nearshore Reefs
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Jacksonville — redfish and sheepshead at the Mayport Jetties, bass on the St. Johns River, pier fishing at Jax Beach, inshore marsh creeks, and nearshore reef trips. Gear, rigs, bait, tides, and where to go.
Jackson Hole, WY
How to Fish Jackson Hole: A Beginner's Guide to Snake River Cutthroat and the Teton Fishery
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Jackson Hole — fly fishing the Snake River for native cutthroat trout, wading vs. float trips, dry fly and nymph techniques, what hatches to match, gear to bring or rent, and how to read this big western river.
Islamorada, FL
How to Fish Islamorada: Backcountry, Bridges, and the Hump
Islamorada earns its title as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World by putting three distinct fisheries within minutes of a single dock. This guide covers the practical gear, rigs, bait, and techniques a beginner needs to fish the Everglades backcountry, the famous Keys bridges, and the offshore humps.
Homer, AK
How to Fish Homer, Alaska: A First-Timer's Guide to the Halibut Capital of the World
Everything a beginner needs to fish Homer — halibut charters on Kachemak Bay, salmon at the Fishing Hole, bank fishing the Anchor River and Deep Creek, and fly-out trips to wild Alaska rivers. Gear, rigs, bait, and practical details.
Hilton Head, SC
The Beginner's Guide to Fishing Hilton Head's Lowcountry Creeks and Marshes
Hilton Head Island's massive tidal creeks, oyster-studded marshes, and rich Lowcountry waters make it one of the best beginner fishing destinations on the East Coast. Learn how to read the tides, pick the right gear, and catch redfish, flounder, and spotted seatrout in South Carolina's barrier island paradise.
Hilo, HI
How to Fish Hilo, Hawaii: A First-Timer's Guide to Shore Fishing and Offshore on the Big Island
What a beginner needs to fish Hilo on the Big Island — the (free) Hawaii saltwater rules, how to shore-fish for ulua, papio, oio, and reef fish, the legendary night ulua scene, offshore charters for marlin, ahi, mahi, and ono, freshwater peacock bass, and the gear and techniques that work in the islands.
Hayward, WI
How to Fish Hayward, Wisconsin: A First-Timer's Guide to Musky, Walleye, and Panfish
What a beginner needs to fish the Hayward Lakes — the Wisconsin license and openers, why it's the Musky Capital, how to catch walleye, bass, and crappie on the Chippewa Flowage and Lac Courte Oreilles, winter ice fishing, and the gear and tactics that work across the northwoods.
Gunnison, CO
How to Fish Gunnison, Colorado: A First-Timer's Guide to Trout, Kokanee, and Lake Trout
What a beginner needs to fish the Gunnison area — the Colorado license, fly and spin fishing the Gunnison and Taylor rivers for trout, big lake trout and kokanee salmon on Blue Mesa Reservoir, the famous Taylor tailwater, ice fishing, and the gear that works in this high mountain country.
Gulf Shores, AL
How to Fish Gulf Shores, Alabama: A Beginner's Guide to Pier, Surf, and Bay
Gulf Shores puts one of the longest piers on the Gulf Coast, miles of white sand surf, the fish-packed currents of Perdido Pass, and the sheltered back bays of Wolf Bay all within a few minutes of your beach rental. Here's everything a first-timer needs to know.
Green Bay, WI
How to Fish Green Bay, Wisconsin: A First-Timer's Guide to Smallmouth, Walleye, and Musky
What a beginner needs to fish the Bay of Green Bay — the Wisconsin license, why it's a top-10 trophy smallmouth and walleye fishery, the world-class fall musky run, the Fox River walleye spawn, winter whitefish through the ice, and the gear and tactics that work on this Lake Michigan bay.
Grand Lake, OK
How to Fish Grand Lake, Oklahoma: A First-Timer's Guide to Bass, Crappie, and Catfish
What a beginner needs to fish Grand Lake o' the Cherokees — the Oklahoma license, how to catch its trophy largemouth and spotted bass, slab crappie around docks and timber, the spring white bass run, big catfish, the unique paddlefish snagging fishery, and the gear and tactics that work on this Green Country reservoir.
Gloucester, MA
How to Fish Gloucester, Massachusetts: A First-Timer's Guide to Striped Bass, Tuna, and Cod
What a beginner needs to fish Gloucester and Cape Ann — the Massachusetts saltwater permit, how to catch striped bass inshore, the famous bluefin tuna grounds on Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge, bottom fishing for cod and haddock, and the gear and tactics that work off America's oldest fishing port.
Galveston, TX
How to Fish Galveston: Wade the Flats, Work the Jetties, Catch the Bay
Galveston puts wade fishing, jetty fishing, pier fishing, and surf fishing all on one barrier island — and every style is beginner-friendly. This is the practical guide to gear, rigs, bait, and techniques for your first trip to the Texas coast.
Fort Myers, FL
How to Fish Fort Myers: A Beginner's Guide to Mangroves, Flats, and the Gulf Coast's Best Inshore Water
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Fort Myers — snook along the mangroves, redfish on the flats, tarpon in the passes, sheepshead on the docks, and nearshore grouper. Gear, rigs, bait, tides, and where to go without a boat.
Everglades / Flamingo, FL
How to Fish the Everglades and Flamingo: America's Last Wild Flats
Everything a first-timer needs to fish the Everglades and Flamingo — how to sight-cast snook, redfish, and tarpon on the wilderness flats, the difference between Florida Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands, and how to read the backcountry.
Erie, PA
How to Fish Erie, Pennsylvania: A First-Timer's Guide to Steelhead, Walleye, and Perch
What a beginner needs to fish Erie and Presque Isle on Lake Erie — the Pennsylvania license and Lake Erie permit, the famous fall and winter steelhead runs in the tributaries, walleye and yellow perch on the lake, smallmouth bass and panfish in Presque Isle Bay, winter ice fishing, and the gear that works.
Durango, CO
How to Fish Durango, Colorado: A First-Timer's Guide to Animas River Trout
What a beginner needs to fish Durango — the Colorado license and Gold Medal rules on the Animas River, fly and spin tactics for brown and rainbow trout in town, the world-class San Juan tailwater nearby, the high-country lakes and creeks, and the gear and flies that work in the San Juans.
Duluth, MN
How to Fish Duluth, Minnesota: A Beginner's Guide to Steelhead, Lake Trout, Salmon, and the North Shore
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Duluth — North Shore steelhead on small streams, trolling lake trout and salmon on Lake Superior, walleye in the St. Louis River estuary, ice fishing, charter options, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Door County, WI
How to Fish Door County, Wisconsin: A Two-Water Guide to Smallmouth Bass, King Salmon, Walleye, and the Best Peninsula Fishing in the Midwest
Door County's 70-mile peninsula splits Lake Michigan from Green Bay, creating two completely different fisheries on opposite sides of the same landmass. Smallmouth bass in Sturgeon Bay, king salmon trolling on the deep side, walleye jigging on the calm side, and whitefish through the ice in winter.
Destin, FL
How to Fish Destin, Florida: A First-Timer's Guide to Gear, Rigs, and Technique
Everything a beginner needs to start fishing in Destin — what gear to buy or rent, how to rig for pier, surf, inshore, and offshore fishing, which baits catch which species, and the practical details that most guides assume you already know.
Denver, CO
How to Fish Denver, Colorado: A Beginner's Guide to Gold Medal Tailwaters, Trophy Pike, and the South Platte System
Everything a first-timer needs to fish near Denver — Cheesman Canyon's educated trout, Eleven Mile Canyon's nymphing water, Waterton Canyon's accessible tailwater, trophy pike at Spinney Mountain, walleye at Chatfield, and the Dream Stream's migrating giants.
Corpus Christi, TX
How to Fish Corpus Christi: The Laguna Madre, the Baffin Bay Rocks, and the Coastal Bend
Corpus Christi sits at the top of the Upper Laguna Madre, one of only a handful of hypersaline lagoons on earth and the heart of Texas trophy-trout country. This is wade-fishing land — gin-clear flats, thick grass, and the legendary rocks of Baffin Bay.
Cody, WY
How to Fish Cody, Wyoming: A First-Timer's Guide to Shoshone River Trout
What a beginner needs to fish Cody at the east gate of Yellowstone — the Wyoming license and seasonal closures, fly and spin fishing the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River for cutthroat and trout, Buffalo Bill Reservoir, nearby Yellowstone waters, and the gear and flies that work in the high country.
Clearwater, FL
How to Fish Clearwater, Florida: A Beginner's Guide to Pier 60, Gulf Reefs, and Inshore Flats
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Clearwater — Pier 60 species and tactics, surf fishing Sand Key, inshore snook and redfish on the flats, offshore grouper and snapper reefs, charter options, gear rigs, and practical details for visiting anglers.
Chesapeake Bay, MD
How to Fish Chesapeake Bay: A Beginner's Guide to Rockfish, Blue Catfish, Crabbing, and the Bay's Best Techniques
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Chesapeake Bay — trolling umbrella rigs for rockfish, chumming and live-lining, blue catfish on cut shad, pier fishing, crabbing, charter options, and practical details for visiting anglers in Maryland and Virginia.
Charleston, SC
How to Fish Charleston, SC: A Beginner's Guide to Marsh Creeks, Piers, and Lowcountry Reds
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Charleston — pier fishing at Folly Beach and Mount Pleasant, inshore redfish and flounder in the marsh creeks, sheepshead on the docks, and nearshore reefs for snapper and mackerel. Gear, rigs, bait, and tides.
Cape May, NJ
How to Fish Cape May, New Jersey: A First-Timer's Guide to Stripers, Fluke, and the Rips
Everything a beginner needs to fish Cape May — the free NJ saltwater registry, how to drift the famous Cape May Rips for striped bass, surf fishing the points and beaches, working the back bays and canal for fluke and weakfish, the party-boat scene, and what gear and bait actually catch fish here.
Cape Cod, MA
How to Fish Cape Cod: A Beginner's Guide to Striped Bass, Bluefish, and the Fall Run
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Cape Cod — surfcasting for striped bass on the National Seashore, Canal fishing, flats wading, bluefish, false albacore in the fall, tautog on the rocks, and charter trips. Gear, rigs, tides, and what to bring.
Campbell River, BC
How to Fish Campbell River, British Columbia: The Salmon Capital of the World and the Legendary Tyee Pool
Campbell River earned its title as the Salmon Capital of the World because all five Pacific salmon species migrate through Discovery Passage, and the legendary Tyee Pool has been producing 30-pound-plus chinook from rowboats since 1924.
Cabo San Lucas, MX
How to Fish Cabo San Lucas: A Beginner's Guide to Marlin, Dorado, and the World's Best Charter Fishing
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Cabo San Lucas — offshore marlin and yellowfin tuna, inshore roosterfish and dorado, panga vs. sportfisher charters, Mexican fishing licenses, tipping, seasons, and what to expect on your first Baja fishing trip.
Branson, MO
How to Fish Branson and Table Rock Lake, Missouri: Bass, Trout, Walleye, and the Two-Lake System That Makes This Place a Midwest Fishing Destination
Branson sits between two completely different fisheries — Table Rock Lake for bass and walleye, and Lake Taneycomo for year-round trout below the dam. Here's how to fish both with the right gear, techniques, and local knowledge.
Brainerd, MN
How to Fish Brainerd, Minnesota: A First-Timer's Guide to Walleye, Pike, and Panfish
What a beginner needs to fish the Brainerd Lakes — the Minnesota license and opener dates, how to catch walleye on the Gull Lake chain, northern pike and muskie, bass and panfish for the whole family, winter ice fishing, and the gear and rigs that work across Minnesota's 10,000 lakes.
Bozeman, MT
How to Fish Bozeman, Montana: A Beginner's Guide to Fly Fishing Four World-Class Rivers
Everything a beginner needs to start fly fishing near Bozeman — gear setups for fly and spin fishing, river-by-river breakdowns of the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, and Paradise Valley spring creeks, fly selection by hatch, rigging, techniques, and the practical details most guides assume you already know.
Boca Grande, FL
How to Fish Boca Grande, Florida: The Tarpon Capital of the World
Everything a first-timer needs to fish Boca Grande — how to catch giant tarpon in the famous Pass and on the hill tides, the calmer beach and flats tarpon fishery, and the Charlotte Harbor backcountry slam of snook, redfish, and trout.
Block Island, RI
How to Fish Block Island, Rhode Island: A First-Timer's Guide to Striped Bass and Surfcasting
What a beginner needs to fish Block Island — the Rhode Island license, why it's a striped bass mecca, how to surfcast the legendary beaches and points, fishing the Great Salt Pond, chasing fall false albacore, bottom fishing for fluke and tog, and the gear and tactics that work twelve miles out to sea.
Blacksburg, VA
How to Fish Blacksburg, Virginia: The Guide That Didn't Exist — Trout in the Mountains, Smallmouth on the New River, and a Hidden Pond in the National Forest
We went to Blacksburg and couldn't find a single fishing guide for the area. So we wrote one. Stocked trout at Pandapas Pond, world-class smallmouth on the New River, and Claytor Lake — all within 30 minutes of Virginia Tech.
Biloxi, MS
How to Fish Biloxi, Mississippi: A First-Timer's Guide to Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Flounder
What a beginner needs to fish the Mississippi Gulf Coast at Biloxi — the license, how to catch the inshore 'Big Three' of speckled trout, redfish, and flounder, where to go in the marsh and around the barrier islands, the winter sheepshead and black drum bite, and the gear, rigs, and bait that work on the coast.
Bend, OR
How to Fish Bend, Oregon: A First-Timer's Guide to Deschutes Trout and the Cascade Lakes
What a beginner needs to fish Bend and Central Oregon — the Oregon license and trout rules, fly and spin fishing the Deschutes River for native redband trout, the Cascade Lakes for trout and kokanee, the Crooked River tailwater, stocked waters for kids, and the gear and flies that work in the high desert.
Austin, TX
How to Fish Austin, Texas: A First-Timer's Guide to Bass, White Bass, and Catfish
Everything a beginner needs to fish Austin's waters — the Texas license, fishing Lady Bird Lake from a kayak downtown, largemouth and white bass on Lake Travis and Lake Austin, Guadalupe bass in the Colorado River, catfish off the bank, and the gear, rigs, and techniques that work in Central Texas.
Astoria, OR
How to Fish Astoria, Oregon: A First-Timer's Guide to Buoy 10 Salmon, Sturgeon, and Crab
What a beginner needs to fish Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia — the Oregon/Washington license rules, the famous Buoy 10 salmon season, catch-and-release sturgeon, ocean salmon and bottomfish, Dungeness crabbing, razor clams, and the gear and rigs that work on the big river.
Annapolis, MD
How to Fish Annapolis, Maryland: A First-Timer's Guide to Rockfish, Perch, and Blue Crabs
What a beginner needs to fish Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay — the Maryland license and rockfish rules, light-tackle jigging the Bay Bridge, trolling the main stem, bottom fishing for perch and spot, catching blue crabs, and the gear and bait that actually work on the Bay.
Puget Sound, WA
How to Catch Squid in Puget Sound: Night Jigging for Market Squid Off the Piers
A beginner's guide to jigging for market squid off Puget Sound piers at night — when and where to go (Seacrest, Edmonds, Des Moines, Tacoma), the glow jigs and umbrella rigs that work, the drop-and-lift cadence, Washington's shellfish rules, and how to clean and cook your fresh calamari.