Columns Archives - Page 211 of 231

December 13, 2025

Circle hooks (left) almost always snag a fish in the corner of its mouth, allowing for much easier removal than a “J” hook (right), and a better overall chance for the survival of any fish that is intended to be released.

Let “the circle be unbroken”

Circle hooks are becoming a hot tackle item, because they offer a better chance for fish to be released alive. […]

A young camper inspects the day’s catch before the evening campfire meal.

Camp fishing best of both worlds

You climb out of your sleeping bag, fix a hearty breakfast on a camp stove, grab your fishing tackle, and minutes later, you’re in the water, doing what you like best — trout fishing.

No packing, no driving, just fishing. […]

David Godbold (left) and Ronald Sutton are two Carolina Beach anglers who learned how to slow-troll live bait for king mackerel from several of the originators of the technique. They used the information to catch this big king and collect a check for almost $40,000 for winning the 2005 U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament.

Honoring king fishing’s pioneers

Jerry Dilsaver

Internet chat boards have been buzzing recently with conversations about several of the pioneers of king mackerel tournament fishing. […]

Water conditions change so much during September that anglers will have to alter their fishing strategies from deep to shallow approaches by the last days of the month.

September a Jekyll-Hyde month

David Fritts

The page on my calendar for September has only 30 days, but I’d swear sometimes it feels like there should be two months there. […]

Gary Cline of Lexington (left) and Todd Shoaf of Linwood won the July 7 NBC Super Summer Sport Series tournament at High Rock with 23.01 pounds of bass. They also won the July 14 High Rock Team Tournament.

Wright cranks up another victory

Tony Garitta

Lexington’s David Wright cranked his way to victory at the July 8 Bassmaster Weekend Series N.C. Division tournament at High Rock Lake. […]

These Quik-Spin vanes (or fletchings) have a kicker tab, a small strip of material that acts as a mini-fin that reacts with air contact to help the arrow rotate quicker and faster.

Being vane about arrows

Ramon Bell

One of the vital components of a good bow and arrow setup is the vanes (or “fletchings”) one chooses to use.

Some bowhunters prefer vinyl vanes; some like feathers. […]

Backlashes

Does greed trump all concerns here?

Craig Holt

Theoretical scenario: You and your friends love to fish for (take your pick) largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striper, trout, catfish, walleye, bream or crappie. […]

Mossberg offers its “Bantam” line of shotguns for youngsters, featuring an ambidextrous top-mounted safety, and a special magazine-tube, limiting plug that renders the gun a “single-shot”.

Right shotgun will hold child’s interest

Gordon Hutchinson

The first wild game Brent ever took was a dove — and he killed it with a Daisy air rifle. […]

Who would want to put up with all this trouble when maintenance-free batteries are available? Maybe you!

Trouble-free batteries not always best

Allan Tarvid

Full-maintenance marine batteries are usually less expensive and lighter than maintenance-free models with the same amount of cranking power and reserve capacity. […]

What trout in tiny, backcountry streams are lacking in terms of size will be more than made up for by their beauty and the overall quality of a trip into the beautiful mountains of South Carolina’s Upstate.

Why size doesn’t always matter

Richard Bernabe

The Upstate’s backcountry can open the door to some outstanding trout-fishing adventures. The small streams offer tranquility and solitude that is often missing from most fishing destinations in today’s crowded, hectic world. The size of the fish will be nothing to brag about, but at some point, you may come to the realization that the rugged and beautiful scenery is the real catch. […]