The fishing field guide

Fishing knots, rigs and species guides

Choose a rig for the water in front of you, tie it step by step and identify what you catch.

Explore illustrated guides

Identify your catch Northern pike · Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

Browse by topic

Freshwater Saltwater Fly fishing Coarse fishing Fish species Knots Rigs Diagrams

Find a guide by goal

Find your next step

Choose your goal

Plan a trip

Choose a setup

Tie or connect tackle

Read the water

Solve a fishing problem

Identify and handle fish

Improve a skill

Record and review a trip

Featured field guides

Texas vs Carolina rigs Set up a baitcaster Measure a Florida saltwater fish Read a Minnesota stocking report Lake Fork piers and ramps Rutland Water bank and boat access Tie a double uni, step by step Check river gauge readings

Tools for your next trip

All 14 tools →

Prepare your trip

Tick off essentials and add your own items.

Choose your setup

Work through your method and constraints.

Compare rigs

Check purpose, control and limitations.

Conditions sources & notes

Open official sources and record what you checked.

Build a skill

Follow existing tutorials and save your progress.

Review your sessions

Record fishing effort, including zero-catch trips.

Technique guides

Read structure and cover

Separate the shape of the bottom from objects that provide cover.

Interpret your sonar

Understand what a return can show and what it cannot prove.

Control fly-line drag

Connect current speed, line position and presentation.