Tackle and Gear Articles & Guides

Expert fishing articles, pro staff gear breakdowns, and technique guides from FishUSA anglers.

FishUSA Staff · October 31, 2025

Best Trolling Rods for Steelhead: Great Lakes Tested Picks and Setup Tips

Steelhead demand smooth power and clean pressure during a wide, fast run. Your trolling rod must load deep, protect ligh...

FishUSA Staff · October 29, 2025

The Best Catfish Rods: Expert Picks, Specs, and Setups for Blues, Channels, and Flatheads

Catfish don’t play fair. Blues bulldog in current, channels nip soft then surge, and flatheads dig for timber the second...

FishUSA Staff · October 22, 2025

Drift Fishing for Catfish: Rigs, Speeds, Boat Control, and Bait Tips

Drift fishing covers water, finds active fish, and puts baits in front of cats that roam flats, ledges, and channel edge...

FishUSA Staff · October 20, 2025

Best Catfish Rigs: How to Tie, When to Use, and Why They Work

Your rig puts the bait in the strike zone. The right rig holds bottom, avoids snags, and helps hooks set clean. This gui...

FishUSA Staff · October 8, 2025

Plugging for Steelhead: Complete Boat Control, Gear, Spread, and Tuning Guide

Plugging lets you place a lure in front of traveling steelhead and keep it there. You control speed, angle, and coverage...

FishUSA Staff · October 7, 2025

Bobber Doggin’ for Steelhead: Rigging, Drifts, and Strike Detection

Bobber doggin’ blends the control of side-drifting with the clarity of float fishing. You let the weight tick bottom. Yo...

FishUSA Staff · October 7, 2025

Back Bouncing for Steelhead: Complete Technique, Gear, and Boat Control Guide

Back bouncing puts natural bait in front of holding steelhead in deep, fast runs. You control the drift. You feel bottom...

Karl Weixlmann · October 1, 2025

Low Water Fly Fishing Techniques for Steelhead: How To Catch Steelhead in Low and Clear Water

It’s been a long summer, and the Shack Nasties are getting to you. Cooler nights where you leave your bedroom windows op...

FishUSA Staff · September 25, 2025

Drop Shotting Crappies in Open Water: A Precision Approach for Suspended Slabs

When crappies move off structure and suspend in open water, few techniques offer the control and precision of the drop s...

FishUSA Staff · September 19, 2025

Best Fall Walleye Lures for Lake Erie: Proven Picks for Day & Night

Cooling water makes Lake Erie walleyes feed hard. Fish slide shallow after dark and hold deeper by day. You need baits t...

FishUSA Staff · August 11, 2025

Best Braided Fishing Lines for Baitcasters & Spinning Reels

Whether you're flipping jigs into heavy cover or casting finesse baits on light tackle, braided fishing line gives you a...

FishUSA Staff · August 8, 2025

Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines for Stealth, Strength & Sensitivity

Fluorocarbon has earned its place among serious anglers for its underwater invisibility, low stretch, and high sensitivi...