Practical Fishing Knowledge You Can Use Anywhere

Fishing success isn’t about having more gear — it’s about understanding conditions, fish behavior, and smart adjustments. The How-To section of The Fishing News is built to help anglers at every experience level make better decisions on the water, whether you’ve got 90 minutes after work or a full weekend planned.

Each section below breaks down real-world fishing problems and turns them into clear, repeatable strategies.

🎯 Tactics Lab

Where technique meets experimentation.

The Tactics Lab is where proven fishing methods are broken down, tested, and explained in plain language. Instead of generic advice, this section focuses on why tactics work and when to apply them — from lure selection and presentation speed to positioning and timing.

Inside the Tactics Lab, you’ll find:

  • Technique breakdowns for freshwater and inshore fishing

  • Situational tactics for pressured fish

  • Adjustments for bank anglers, boat anglers, and kayaks

  • Simple experiments you can try on your next trip

Perfect for anglers who want to improve without overcomplicating things.

❄️ Cold Front Fishing

How to catch fish when the weather works against you.

Cold fronts are one of the biggest bite killers — but they don’t shut fishing down completely. This section explains how fish react before, during, and after a front, and how to adjust your approach to stay productive.

Topics include:

  • Why fish get lockjaw after a front

  • Depth and location changes during pressure swings

  • Slowing down without losing confidence

  • Best times to fish before and after a front

If you’ve ever fished a “perfect looking day” with zero bites, this section explains exactly why.

🌬️ Windy Day Fishing

Turning bad conditions into an advantage.

Wind frustrates anglers — but it also positions baitfish and triggers feeding activity. Windy Day Fishing shows you how to stop fighting the wind and start using it to your advantage.

You’ll learn:

  • How wind moves bait and oxygen

  • When wind helps vs hurts fishing

  • Bank-friendly and boat-friendly wind strategies

  • Safe, effective positioning in windy conditions

This section helps you fish smarter instead of packing up early.

🌊 Clear vs Stained Water

Why water clarity changes everything.

Water clarity affects how fish feed, move, and react to lures. This section breaks down the differences between clear, stained, and muddy water — and how to adjust without guessing.

Covered topics include:

  • How fish use sight vs vibration vs scent

  • Lure color and size adjustments

  • Presentation speed changes by clarity

  • Common mistakes anglers make in stained water

Whether you fish mountain lakes, blackwater rivers, or muddy reservoirs, this section helps you match your approach to visibility.

📅 Seasonal Playbooks

Your roadmap for fishing year-round.

Fish behavior follows predictable seasonal patterns — but only if you know what to watch for. Seasonal Playbooks break each season into practical, on-the-water decisions you can actually use.

Each playbook focuses on:

  • Where fish go as seasons change

  • What triggers feeding windows

  • Seasonal depth and location shifts

  • Simple tactics that work year after year

Instead of chasing trends, this section helps you fish with confidence no matter the month.

Why the How-To Section Works

The How-To hub is built around one idea:
Better understanding leads to better fishing — everywhere.

Whether you’re targeting bass, panfish, catfish, or inshore species, these principles apply across regions, species, and skill levels.

Start Here Tip

If you’re not sure where to begin, start with Seasonal Playbooks, then layer in Cold Front and Windy Day strategies as conditions change.