Learning Center
Everything from your first cast to advanced tactics — knots, rigs, and reading the water.
Three things separate anglers who catch fish from anglers who go fishing: a knot that holds, a rig built in the right order, and knowing when the fish are actually feeding. Start here.
Fishing Knots
Five knots cover almost all fishing. Step-by-step instructions for each, matched to braid, monofilament and fluorocarbon.
5 knotsReadRigs & Setups
What goes on the line and in what order — bobber, weight, swivel, hook — for the standard freshwater and saltwater rigs.
8 rigsReadSeasonal Fishing
Fish the thermometer, not the calendar. Why water temperature predicts behaviour better than the month, and the spawning temperatures we can source.
Water temperatureReadLive Fishing Conditions
Wind, wave height, water temperature, tide times and active weather warnings for a US spot — with the NOAA station and its distance behind every number.
Live · NOAAReadLive Water Temperature
Current USGS river gauge readings by state, matched against the spawning temperatures we can actually source. Stale readings are discarded, never captioned.
Live · USGSReadSpawning Calendar
What spawns when, and at what water temperature — every window traced to a state agency, with nothing published where no source exists.
All 12 monthsReadStart here if you are new
- 1. Learn one knot properly.
The Palomar if you fish braid, the improved clinch if you fish mono. One knot tied well beats five tied badly.
- 2. Build one rig.
A slip bobber rig puts bait at any depth and shows you the bite visually — the most forgiving way to start catching fish.
- 3. Carry a thermometer.
Water temperature tells you more about what the fish are doing than the date does. Here is why.