When most people think of topwater smallmouth takes, they envision something violent: A slashing blow and shot of whitewater spraying into the air. Hits like that get the blood pumping for sure, but I ...

This story, “Getting the Bait’s a Bail,” appeared in the May 1970 issue of Outdoor Life. The morning sparkled as bright and shiny as a new dime. The river was clear and purling along, its voices ...

Drop a worm in the water on a summer day and just try to not catch a bluegill. But in winter, sometimes those same big slabs get finicky and only bite best at classic walleye times—dawn and dusk.