Species
Fishing Species Guides
10 species that account for most fishing in the United States, in fresh water and salt. Each guide covers where the fish holds, how it feeds, and complete setups by technique.
Bass
The most widely targeted freshwater gamefish in the United States, and the species most tackle is designed around.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Trout
Cold-water fish with soft mouths and sharp eyesight, which makes line size and hook size matter more than for almost anything else in freshwater.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Walleye
A light-biting, low-light feeder of the northern US. Most walleye tackle is chosen around feeling a bite that you would otherwise miss.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Crappie
A schooling panfish with a thin, fragile mouth. Light line, small hooks and a soft hookset are the whole game.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Catfish
Bottom-feeding fish that reach sizes nothing else in most US freshwater does. Tackle is chosen for holding power and for hooks that set themselves.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Northern Pike
A toothy ambush predator. Every recommendation here is shaped by one thing: pike teeth go through ordinary line and leader, so bite protection is part of the setup rather than an accessory.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Bluegill
The most widely accessible gamefish in the country, and the one most anglers learn on. Small mouths mean the hook, not the rod, decides whether you catch them.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Salmon
Powerful fish of the Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest and Alaska, caught in both salt and fresh water. Larger Chinook and coho make long runs, and fish size, water and presentation change the useful setup substantially.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Striped Bass
The main inshore and surf gamefish of the US Atlantic coast, and a serious reservoir fish inland. Everything about striper tackle is built around current and around fish that can run.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Redfish
The signature inshore fish of the Gulf and South Atlantic. Shallow water, oyster and grass mean the leader does more work here than the line does.
- Hook sizes
- Line and leader
- Rod and reel setups
Build a setup for any of them
The Setup Builder covers every species here, plus water type, technique, bait and experience level — and gives you the reasoning behind each part.
Size charts
- Fishing Hook Size ChartSelected common sizes from #28 to 12/0 with typical uses, and why the same number differs between brands.
- Fishing Line Size ChartPound test against typical diameter for mono, fluorocarbon and braid, and how to compare them fairly.