Technique, gear, and water-tested advice from the BasicGear crew.
Georgia's 2026 red drum regulation update tightens the slot to 15–24 inches and cuts the daily limit to 3 fish — and it changes exactly how you should be fishing with a cast net.
Saltwater species break the rules that freshwater knives are built around. Here's how to match blade length, flex, and steel to the specific demands of redfish, flounder, and snook.
Not all crab traps are interchangeable. This guide matches trap geometry, funnel count, and mesh gauge to the specific behaviors of blue crab, Dungeness, and stone crab so you stop feeding crabs and start catching them.
Most flounder guides stick to rod and reel — but a cast net over a light-attracted flounder school on a shallow flat at night is faster, more productive, and legal in most coastal states. Here is how to do it right.
Using the wrong knife at the cleaning table doesn't just slow you down — it wastes meat. Here's how blade geometry determines which knife belongs in your hand and when.
The water you fish in changes which cast net specs actually matter. Here's what to know about corrosion resistance, lead weight, and mesh gauge before you buy.
Most fishing pliers weren't built for skinning. Learn exactly what separates a true fish skinner pliers from a general-purpose tool, and how to pick the right pair for your target species.
A serious angler's performance depends as much on their tools as their technique. Discover every essential component that belongs in a professional-grade fishing tool kit.
Not all hook remover tools are built the same, and choosing the wrong one can cost you time, injure your catch, or put your fingers at risk. Here's everything you need to know before you buy.
Not all multi tools belong on the water. This guide breaks down every function a fishing-specific multi tool must have, the materials that hold up in saltwater, and how to build the complete angler's kit around it.
Not all stainless steel fishing pliers are built the same. This guide breaks down alloy grades, real-world corrosion resistance, and what separates a tool that lasts from one that fails mid-trip.
Not all fishing tools are created equal. This guide breaks down the 10 must-have tools that separate productive anglers from frustrated ones, with real use-case advice for every fishing style.