I stepped around the peach-colored coronas of stranded squid eggs uprooted by the recent southwest blow and crept into range of the mirage-like image of a tailing bluefish I thought I’d spotted. There must be some latent instincts within a fisherman’s brain that allows him to instantly recognize when something breaks the natural pattern. In […]
Four Northeast Anglers Take on the 2024 Bassmaster Classic
Big bass, big stage, big dreams. The Bassmaster classic is the super bowl of bass fishing. There is no better way to put it. Careers are born here, and statements are made. Of the 56 bass pros participating in this year’s classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, four came from the Northeast: Tyler Williams from Maine, Paul […]
New Fishing Footwear for 2024
When it comes to fishing, it’s tough to find one do-it-all shoe. Some have non-marking soles that excel on boat decks, some feature Vibram grips ideal for rock jetties, some are ventilated for wading the flats, and others just flat out look good. When it’s time to choose the right fishing shoes for your pursuits, […]
Yamaha Pro Justin Hamner is the 2024 Bassmaster Classic Champion
TULSA, Okla.–Yamaha Pro Angler Justin Hamner caught a total of 58 pounds, 3 ounces on Grand Lake to capture a wire-to-wire victory at the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic®. The fourth year Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Northport, Ala., said openly that he “just had a feeling” coming into this year’s Bass Pro Shops […]
Fishing the Chesapeake Bay in April
Anglers have a plethora of opportunities when fishing the Chesapeake Bay in April, as most fish species are in the midst of their annual spawning runs up the headwaters of connecting tributaries. The most challenging decision anglers face in April is determining what to fish for and where to go in the region. Some anglers, […]
Penobscot River Smallmouth
Smallmouth aren’t native to Maine. These voracious fish arrived thanks to bucket biology and are thriving in the Pinetree State. Even though bass are the second-most sought-after game fish in the state, they don’t receive the same level of positive PR. Because Maine’s pride and joy are native brook trout and landlocked salmon, many anglers […]
Marine Art Contest for Massachusetts Students
Shortfin Mako Shark — Shijun L., grade 7, Pike School, Andover, MA Art and marine science merge in a program sponsored by the Massachusetts Marine Educators (MME) and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. An annual marine art contest challenges students in grades K-12 to explore marine biodiversity in the sanctuary, located at the mouth of […]
Striper Migration Map – March 22, 2024
The Striper Migration Map is back for 2024! It’s officially spring, and after another mild winter, ocean water temperatures are about where they were one year ago. Inshore areas of Chesapeake Bay are warming past the 50-degree mark and big bass are moving into tributaries to spawn. Over 2,000 anglers have already signed up for […]
Top Lures for Herring-Hunting Stripers
Remember live-lining herring? These silver bullets seemed tailor-made to be used as live bait. Their size was just right to lob out from shore. They were easily found and acquired, and bass of all sizes couldn’t swim past them without taking a swipe. But river herring have fallen on hard times, and closures have put […]
Metal Lip Swimmers for Giant Striped Bass
“We were just a bunch of surf guys who found ourselves on boats, so we didn’t know any better,” says Captain Rob Radlof, smiling as he unhooks the giant bunker-sized hunk of wood from his reel handle. The light south wind made a small ripple on the surface as we drift over Shrewsbury Rocks in […]