Rigs, knots and species guides that get you catching.
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.
Find your way around
- FreshwaterSpecies guides for lakes, rivers and ponds: bass, crappie, catfish, carp and more, with size, water temperature, best months and baits.
- SaltwaterInshore and coastal species guides: speckled trout, redfish, flounder and others, with sourced size, season and tackle facts.
- TechniquesHow to fish a place or a season: ice, bobber, bottom, bank, pier, kayak and surf, step by step.
- Rigs & KnotsRig diagrams and knot steps: Carolina, Texas, drop shot, catfish and sabiki rigs, plus the knots that hold them.
- Bait & LuresWhat to throw for each species: live bait, cut bait, jigs, crankbaits and soft plastics, listed by water and season.
- GearRods, reels, line and hooks explained by spec: power, action, pound test and hook sizes, plus how to set up and spool.
- When & WhereThe best time to fish by month, temperature and region, and how to read the water.
- Fish ID & CareTell look-alike fish apart, and clean, fillet and handle your catch.
Rigs, drawn out
Latest guides
Rigs & Knots · GuideAlabama Rig: What It Is and Whether It Is Legal
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.
Bait & Lures · GuideBest Bait for Crappie: Minnows, Grass Shrimp and Rigs
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.
Bait & Lures · GuideBest Bait for Bass Fishing: Live Bait First, Then Lures
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.
Wade Callahan
Wade Callahan is the editorial pen name of How To Go Fishing. Rigs, knots, line and species facts for bank, boat and ice anglers, reviewed before publishing.
About the siteSourced, not guessed
- Size, season and water-temperature facts from named state agencies, NOAA Fisheries and USGS.
- Ranges where sources differ, and the state or region named when a fact depends on it.
- Limits and licenses vary by state, so we link your state agency instead of quoting a universal rule.
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