Fishing guides that answer first: species cards, rig and knot diagrams, bait and lure lists, line and gear specs, and when to fish by month and region. Sourced from state wildlife agencies and NOAA Fisheries.https://howtogofishing.xyz/en-ushttps://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/alabama-rig/https://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/alabama-rig/What an Alabama rig is, Missouri's three-hook rule for it, Texas's hook cap, and why legality differs by state, so you check your agency before you fish one.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/bait-for-crappie/https://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/bait-for-crappie/Crappie baits state agencies name: small minnows, grass shrimp, worms and jig-and-minnow combos, with hook sizes, float depths and the seasons they suit.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/best-bass-bait/https://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/best-bass-bait/Live baits state agencies name for bass: golden shiners, nightcrawlers, crayfish, minnows and frogs, plus the artificial baits to try and how to fish each.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/best-bass-lures/https://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/best-bass-lures/The bass lures state wildlife agencies name: soft plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater and jerkbaits, with season, clarity and depth cues.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/when-where/best-time-to-fish-for-bass/https://howtogofishing.xyz/when-where/best-time-to-fish-for-bass/When to fish for bass by state, month, water temperature and time of day, with pre-spawn, summer and fall patterns from agency data in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and more.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/best-trout-lures/https://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/best-trout-lures/The trout lures state agencies name, from inline spinners and spoons to jigs and flies, with sizes, line weights, water temperatures and best times to fish.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/blue-catfish/https://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/blue-catfish/Blue catfish identification, how it differs from a channel catfish, record weights, where big blues hold, when they bite and the cut baits and heavy tackle that work.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/bobber-fishing/https://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/bobber-fishing/How to rig a fixed bobber and a slip bobber, set the depth, size the float and read bites, with the agency tips that make each rig work.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/carolina-rig/https://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/carolina-rig/How a Carolina rig is built, from sliding sinker and bead to swivel and leader, with the leader lengths and sinker weights agencies give and when it fishes best.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/carp/https://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/carp/Carp fishing basics from state agencies: how to identify common carp, the corn, dough ball and worm baits that work, hook sizes, line, drag and the best times to go.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/catfish-bait/https://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/catfish-bait/Catfish baits state agencies name: liver, nightcrawlers, cut bait, stink and dough baits, shrimp and live fish, with season, water and hook cues.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/catfish-rigs/https://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/catfish-rigs/The catfish rigs agencies describe, from a slip sinker rig to a bobber rig and a winter cut bait setup, with sinker weights, leader lengths, hook sizes and line.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/channel-catfish/https://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/channel-catfish/Identify a channel catfish, learn its size, where it lives and when it bites, and the baits, hooks and line that state agencies recommend, plus the IGFA record.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/crappie/https://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/crappie/How to tell black crappie from white crappie, where they live, when they spawn by state, and the minnows and jigs that catch them, from state agency sources.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/crappie-jigs/https://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/crappie-jigs/Crappie jig weights, colors and body styles from state agencies: tubes, curly tails, hair jigs and bobber jigs, plus season, depth and line cues.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/drop-shot-rig/https://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/drop-shot-rig/How to tie a drop shot rig with a palomar knot, the hook and weight sizes agencies give, how long to leave the tag, and how to shake the bait without dragging it.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/fish-finder-rig/https://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/fish-finder-rig/What a fish finder rig is, how to tie it with an egg sinker, swivel and leader, and the sinker weight, leader length and hook sizes from agency examples.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/fishing-hook-sizes/https://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/fishing-hook-sizes/Fishing hook sizes explained: why a bigger number can mean a smaller hook, plus the hook sizes state agencies recommend for panfish, bass, walleye and catfish.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/fishing-knots/https://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/fishing-knots/The fishing knots worth learning: palomar, improved clinch, uni, double uni and loop knots, with step lists, turn counts and what each is best for.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/fishing-line-pound-test/https://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/fishing-line-pound-test/Fishing line pound test explained, with a chart of the line weights state agencies recommend for panfish, crappie, bass, walleye, trout and catfish.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/fishing-reel-types/https://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/fishing-reel-types/Fishing reel types explained: spincast, spinning, baitcasting, conventional, fly and cane pole, with how each works, how hard it is and what it suits.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/saltwater/flounder/https://howtogofishing.xyz/saltwater/flounder/Flounder fishing basics: tell southern from summer flounder, where they hold, when they move inshore and the live bait, jigs and bottom rigs agencies recommend.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/how-to-cast-a-baitcaster/https://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/how-to-cast-a-baitcaster/How to cast a baitcaster in five steps: set the spool tension knob, stand and aim, swing the rod, release your thumb at eye level and stop backlash.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/fish-id/how-to-clean-a-catfish/https://howtogofishing.xyz/fish-id/how-to-clean-a-catfish/How to clean a catfish: handle the spines safely, skin it with pliers, remove the head and guts or fillet it, and cut away the dark lateral line meat.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/fish-id/how-to-clean-a-fish/https://howtogofishing.xyz/fish-id/how-to-clean-a-fish/How to clean a fish step by step: keep it on ice, scale it, cut off the head and fins, remove the guts, rinse and store it. Pan dressing and field dressing.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/fish-id/how-to-fillet-a-fish/https://howtogofishing.xyz/fish-id/how-to-fillet-a-fish/How to fillet a fish with a sharp knife: cut behind the gills to the backbone, slice toward the tail, remove the ribs and skin, trim and rinse each fillet.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/how-to-set-up-a-fishing-rod/https://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/how-to-set-up-a-fishing-rod/How to set up a fishing rod: match rod to reel, thread the line, tie an arbor knot, fill the spool, add a hook, sinker or bobber and set the drag.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/how-to-spool-a-spinning-reel/https://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/how-to-spool-a-spinning-reel/How to spool a spinning reel with monofilament: open the bail, tie an arbor knot, wind the line on without twist and stop 1/16 to 1/8 inch from the spool rim.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/ice-fishing-for-beginners/https://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/ice-fishing-for-beginners/How to start ice fishing: the gear you need, hole size, jigging rods and line, bait, the best times of day, and the ice thickness to check first.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/ice-fishing-for-crappie/https://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/ice-fishing-for-crappie/Where crappie suspend under the ice, which depth to try first, the jig weights, hook sizes and line that agencies recommend, and how to handle soft mouths.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/ice-fishing-for-perch/https://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/ice-fishing-for-perch/Where yellow perch sit under the ice, the depths agencies report, the jigs, hooks and bait that work, and how to find a school and keep it biting.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/ice-thickness-safety/https://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/ice-thickness-safety/How thick ice must be to walk on, fish from or drive on, with figures from state and federal agencies, plus where ice is weak and what to carry.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/largemouth-vs-smallmouth/https://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/largemouth-vs-smallmouth/Smallmouth bass vs largemouth bass: jaw, fin, stripe, habitat, spawn and size compared side by side, with IGFA records and where each one lives, from state agencies.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/mono-vs-fluoro-vs-braid/https://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/mono-vs-fluoro-vs-braid/Monofilament fishing line vs fluorocarbon vs braid: stretch, visibility, cost, knots and best uses, compared from state wildlife agency guides.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/fish-id/muskie-vs-pike/https://howtogofishing.xyz/fish-id/muskie-vs-pike/Muskie vs northern pike: compare markings, jaw pores, cheek scales, tail shape, size and spawn timing, plus how to spot a tiger muskie, with state agency ranges.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/pike-lures/https://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/pike-lures/Northern pike lures state agencies name: spoons, spinners, large crankbaits, jigs, streamers and live bait, with leaders, weed-line depths and seasons.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/saltwater/redfish/https://howtogofishing.xyz/saltwater/redfish/Redfish, also called red drum: how to identify them, size by age, the 94 lb 2 oz IGFA record, spawn timing by state and the shrimp, spoons and rigs that catch them.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/smallmouth-bass/https://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/smallmouth-bass/Smallmouth bass identification, typical size, the 11 lb 15 oz IGFA record, where they live, spawn timing by state and the lures and live bait agencies recommend.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/saltwater/speckled-trout/https://howtogofishing.xyz/saltwater/speckled-trout/Speckled trout (spotted seatrout) identification, size, habitat, spawn months by state and the live shrimp, popping cork and jig setups state agencies recommend.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/spinning-vs-baitcasting/https://howtogofishing.xyz/gear/spinning-vs-baitcasting/Spinning vs baitcasting reels compared side by side: how each mounts, casts and tangles, the lure weights they handle and which to learn first.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/texas-rig/https://howtogofishing.xyz/rigs-knots/texas-rig/How to rig a soft plastic Texas-style with a worm hook and bullet weight, the weight sizes by depth, hook sizes, and how to fish it slowly around cover.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/tip-ups/https://howtogofishing.xyz/techniques/tip-ups/What an ice fishing tip-up is, how to rig and set one, the minnow, depth and leader choices for pike, walleye and perch, and why line limits vary by state.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/walleye-lures/https://howtogofishing.xyz/bait-lures/walleye-lures/Walleye lures state agencies name: minnow-tipped jigs, crankbaits, blade baits, stickbaits and bottom bouncers, with sizes, colors, season and line weights.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/white-bass/https://howtogofishing.xyz/freshwater/white-bass/White bass identification, size, the spring spawning run by state, and the lures, jigs and live bait that catch them, with light-tackle setups from state agencies.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT