kdiaz+FollowThe only braid-to-leader knots I actually useBeen tying braid to leader for two decades now, and I've probably tried every knot out there. Lost my share of fish to bad connections early on - we've all been there, right? These days I stick to just three knots that cover 99% of my fishing situations: 1️⃣ FG Knot - Yeah, it looks intimidating on YouTube but trust me, spend an evening practicing and you'll wonder why you waited so long. Slides through guides beautifully and I've never had one fail. 2️⃣ Alberto Knot - My saltwater go-to for heavier setups. Super reliable but you absolutely must cinch it down hard. Don't baby it. 3️⃣ Double Uni - For lighter freshwater stuff when I need something quick. Not the strongest but gets the job done for panfish and smaller bass. Honestly, master these three and you're set. No need to overcomplicate things with fancy new knots every season. What's your favorite braid connection? #fishing #braidknots #fishingtips110Share
fisherchad+FollowRight-handed but use left reels - am I weird?Been getting weird looks at the tackle shop for years, but hear me out. I'm right-handed but exclusively use left-handed reels, and it's been a game-changer. Most righties use right-hand baitcasters then mysteriously switch to left-hand spinning reels. Makes zero sense to me. Here's what changed my mind: watching my buddy constantly switch hands between casting and reeling with his right-hand setup. Meanwhile, I'm keeping my rod in my dominant hand the entire time. The benefits are real: - Cast with right hand, reel with left - no hand switching - Fight fish with your stronger, more coordinated hand - Way more efficient casting = more water covered - Less fatigue during long sessions Sure, I'm in the minority, but my landing percentage improved dramatically once I made the switch. Your dominant hand should be controlling that rod when you're fighting a fish, not just sitting there doing nothing. Tournament guys especially should consider this. Every advantage counts when money's on the line. #fishing #baitcaster #fishingtips2668Share
fisherchad+FollowWhy I’ll always choose left-handed reelsThis debate never ends in fishing circles, but I'm team left-handed reels all the way. More practical and efficient than right-handed ones, fight me. Cast with your dominant hand, reel with your non-dominant - makes way more sense. What's your setup? #fishing #fishingreels #fishingtips86Share
fisherchad+FollowEvery angler needs to master the loop knot for big catchesAfter losing a good fish years ago to a stiff knot, I started using loop knots—especially the non-slip mono loop—and never looked back. They give your lures or flies way more freedom to move, which can make a huge difference when the bite’s tough. Here’s a quick breakdown: 1️⃣ Tie loose overhand knot, leave 5-6" tag end 2️⃣ Thread through lure eye, back through overhand knot 3️⃣ Wrap tag around main line (4-5 wraps light line, 3 for heavy) 4️⃣ Back through overhand knot again 5️⃣ Pinch knot, pull tag end slowly to tighten 6️⃣ Final pull both ways, trim excess The loop gives lures freedom to pivot and dance with every twitch. Works up to 40lb line and way stronger than you'd think - I've landed big fish on this knot! Anyone else swear by loop knots? #fishing #FishingKnots #LureFishing #FishingTips292Share
David Mcgrath+FollowYou Won’t Believe What Bass Will EatRat lures for bass are wild, but they work—like, really work. If you want to catch a monster largemouth and have a story worth bragging about, toss a big, noisy rat bait (think SPRO Rat 50 or Bucca Bull Rat) across the water. The strikes are insane and unforgettable. Pro tip: go bigger than you think, and don’t be shocked when even small bass attack. These baits aren’t cheap, but the adrenaline rush? Priceless. #News #BassFishing #FishingTips40Share
fisherchad+FollowGetting ready for summer salmon runs Just cleaned out my tackle box and realized half my gear needs attention before salmon season hits! Last year's rushed prep cost me fish, so I'm starting early this time. ✅ Essential summer prep checklist: ✅ Fresh hooks - replace all, even if they look okay (rust dulls them) ✅ New line - braid main with mono topshot for downriggers ✅ Bait alternatives - spoons and plugs when herring's scarce ✅ Rod cleaning - hot soapy water removes old scents and fish slime Try "hover fishing" at tributary mouths where cooler water meets the main river. Drop cured roe or prawns right to resting salmon - light bite but deadly effective! What's your must-do summer salmon prep ritual? #fishing #FishingTips #SalmonFishing #FishingPrep31Share
jasonking+FollowFrom zero to catching fish in 6 months💡Started fishing completely clueless - first month was brutal! Still learning every time I go out, but here are a few things that really helped me: 🎣 Prime time windows: 7-10am and 4-7pm are money 🍞 Scout with bread: Hit busy docks, toss bread/corn - if fish swarm, that spot's golden 🐛 Senko magic: Texas-rigged senko worms = bass magnets every single time 🏞️ Hidden gems: Skip crowded public spots, those random apartment ponds are bass heaven 🪱 The 10-cast rule: No bites after 10 throws? Move or change baits immediately 📱 Use FishBox app to find active lakes nearby based on weather patterns. Each spot is like solving a puzzle - time, location, bait all matter. Don't give up, it clicks eventually! What's your best beginner lesson learned the hard way? #fishing #FishingTips #BassFishing #beginnerfishing152Share
fisherchad+FollowHow to free snags without losing luresHad a beginner ask me this yesterday so figured I'd share: First try repositioning yourself opposite your retrieve direction and give your rod some quick pops - works surprisingly often! If that fails: Point rod tip at snag, hold your spool tight, walk backward slowly. Pressure goes on the line, not your rod. Lure either comes free or you bend the hook out. Always wear glasses and NEVER wrap braid around your hands. Learned that one the hard way! #fishing #snagged #FishingTips #Outdoors 2310Share
fisherchad+FollowIf I had to choose 4 summer baits, I’d pick theseSummer bass fishing gets a bad rap, but honestly, I love it. Sure, conditions can be tough—hot water, finicky fish—but that just means it’s time to dial in your baits. After plenty of trial and error, I’ve locked in a four-lure rotation that consistently puts fish in the boat: - Deep water (10-20ft): Fast-diving crankbaits around ledges and points - long casts, fast retrieve for reaction bites - Surface action: Topwater walkers near shade lines and schooling fish - nothing beats watching bass explode on top! - Finesse mode: Soft plastic jerkbaits for suspended fish and clear water situations - When all else fails: Dropshot with straight tail worms on isolated cover - less action, more bites Each handles different moods, but together they've never let me down through the dog days. What's your summer confidence bait that saves the day? #fishing #BassFishing #FishingGear #FishingTips175Share
fisherchad+FollowDon’t rush after the rain—wait for troutHad a big rain blow out my local river last week, and I made the usual mistake—rushed out right after thinking the trout would be hugging the banks. Nope. Nothing moved, no bites. Turns out, trout don’t shift right away after a spike—they hunker down mid-river where they were. It wasn’t until day 2 that they started sliding into the soft edges, and that’s when the action picked up. Now I always check the flow gauges and give the river time to settle. Anyone else crack the high water code? How do you time that post-rain bite window? #fishing #TroutFishing #HighWater #FishingTips22Share