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Hooked on Everything Fishing?

Us Too! Welcome to Finn's Fishing Tips.

fisherman holding a larg bass fish. Freshwater fishing, lure fishing

Discover New Techniques, Gear, and More!

Finn's Fishing Tips How-to's and Reviews

It’s time to pull the trigger on a new fishing setup. But with so many options available, what should you get?

You just booked a fishing trip you’ve been planning for months. Are you warmed up on the proper techniques and lures you should be using?

Here at Finn’s Fishing Tips, we’ll provide you all the info you need to do your research right and get the perfect fishing gear tailored to your needs. From heavy-weather saltwater gear to how to go clamming, we’ve got detailed reviews and recommendations on it all.

We also have multiple how-to and informational articles ranging from the best trout fishing rods to how to make a fish finder rig.

The Best Steelhead Rods Reviewed

Learn how to fish for Steelhead

What Does Sturgeon Taste Like?

Learn all about this denizen of the deep!

Ever Wonder Why Fish Like Anise Oil?

Check out our write-up!

Learn How to Catch the Fish of Your Dreams!

Instructions for How to Catch Popular Species and More!

The Making of a Great Hook: How Precision Manufacturing Changed Fishing Tackle

The Making of a Great Hook: How Precision Manufacturing Changed Fishing Tackle

Every angler has a favorite hook. Maybe it’s a circle hook that’s held redfish year after year, or a drop-shot hook that refused to straighten when it mattered most. Most fishermen spend real time choosing hook size, color, and weight before they hit the water. Almost none of them think about what happened before that hook showed up in the retail bin, and that oversight costs them fish. Tackle has gotten genuinely better over the last 25 years. The hook a recreational angler could buy in the 1980s was functional but inconsistent. Today’s premium hooks are built to tighter tolerances, from better steel, with more predictable hardness characteristics than anything available to earlier generations. That improvement didn’t come from fishing tradition. It came from industrial manufacturing techniques developed for sectors with much higher stakes, gradually filtering into tackle production. Understanding that progression makes for a more informed buyer, and in fishing, an informed buyer lands more fish.

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What Long Days on the Water Do to Your Skin and Beard

What Long Days on the Water Do to Your Skin and Beard

Eight hours on a boat looks peaceful from the outside. From the inside, your face is getting worked over by sun bouncing off the water, wind pulling moisture out of your skin, and occasional splashes of salt or river water soaking into your beard. By the time you pull the truck into the driveway, the damage has already started, even if it takes a day or two to show up in the mirror. Most anglers notice the sunburn because it hurts. The slower changes, like drier skin, flaky patches under the jaw, and beard hairs that feel coarser every season, tend to get shrugged off as part of the lifestyle. They don’t have to be. Dermatology clinics like https://luminederm.com/ know what outdoor exposure actually does to skin, and once you read through a few guides there, the habits you want to pick up are pretty obvious.

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Is Sheepshead Good to Eat ?

Is Sheepshead Good to Eat?

Sheepshead is one of those fish that sparks curiosity the second it comes over the rail. Its bold black stripes, strong jaw, and human-like teeth make it look like something out of a marine biology exhibit, rather than a seafood dinner.Add to that its reputation as a bait-stealing menace, and many anglers have wondered if a sheepshead fish is edible or even worth bringing home. The short answer to both questions is yes. Sheepshead is not only edible, it’s one of the most underrated inshore fish you can eat. Its meat is firm, clean-tasting, and has sweet qualities that make it highly prized by those who know how to prepare it. In this article, I will explain why sheepshead fish is edible and why its taste surprises even seasoned seafood fans. What Is Sheepshead and Why Anglers Overlook It Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) is a saltwater species commonly found from the Mid-Atlantic down through the Gulf Coast and as far south as Brazil. It thrives around structure: jetties, pilings, oyster beds, and wrecks where crustaceans are abundant. Anglers know it for

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What Does Mahi-Mahi Taste Like?

What Does Mahi-Mahi Taste Like?

Hook a mahi-mahi offshore, and you’ll never forget it. The colors. The aerial fight. That glowing blue-green flash as it hits the deck. But once the adrenaline fades and it’s time to fillet… there’s one thing every angler wants to know: But you may be wondering – what does mahi-mahi taste like? Sure, it’s beautiful in the water. But how does it hold up on the plate? Today I’ll be digging into the mahi-mahi flavor profile, how sweet it really is, how “fishy” it might taste, and how it compares to other popular white fish like cod. If you’ve never cooked it before or you’ve had it once and weren’t sure what to make of it, this one’s for you. Let’s start with the basics. Then I’ll break it all down, bite by bite. What Exactly Is Mahi-Mahi? Before we jump into the flavor, let’s clear up a common bit of confusion. Mahi-mahi, also known as dolphinfish or dorado, is not related to mammals. It’s a fast-growing, fast-swimming pelagic fish found in warm tropical and subtropical waters across the globe,

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How to Conduct a Private Investigation: A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide

How to Conduct a Private Investigation: A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide

Private investigations have long held a reputation for mystery, but in reality, they follow a clear and disciplined process. From background checks to surveillance, each step requires patience, strategy, and respect for the law. Today, the field is more accessible than ever. For example, private investigations Australia has seen growing interest as individuals and businesses seek professional solutions to complex challenges. While professionals undergo formal training, beginners can still learn the foundations of investigative work through structured methods and responsible practices. This guide offers a practical overview for those curious about the investigative process. It outlines essential skills, techniques, and considerations to help newcomers build a strong foundation. By following structured steps, beginners can conduct basic investigations with clarity and purpose while avoiding common pitfalls.

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Barracuda vs Wahoo: Can You Eat Both?

Barracuda vs Wahoo: Can You Eat Both?

They’re two of the ocean’s fastest predators, quick, toothy, and explosive. Both love warm waters. Both crush lures with reckless force. But while they might look similar in the spread or at the gaff, their stories shift fast when it’s time to eat. Wahoo vs barracuda isn’t just a question of taste, it’s also about safety. And it’s one of the most common debates among offshore anglers. So today, we’re clearing it up: the fight, the flavor, and the facts. Most importantly, we’re answering the question, can you eat barracuda, and if so, when it’s actually safe. Let’s get into it. Barracuda vs Wahoo: The Basics At a glance, both fish share that long, missile-like shape. But once you’ve seen them side by side, the differences are apparent and important. Barracuda Wahoo So why the confusion? Because: Still, the wahoo’s signature stripes and clean build make it a giveaway when you know what to look for. Barracuda? You’ll know when you see those fangs up close. Hook One, Hang On Both fish are exciting to catch—but they fight in very

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Amberjack vs Yellowtail What’s the Real Difference

Amberjack vs Yellowtail: What’s the Real Difference?

One of the clearest ways to tell these fish apart is by where you catch them. Amberjack live in the Atlantic Ocean and are especially common in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Southeastern United States, and throughout the Caribbean Sea. They love warm water and prefer deeper areas with lots of structure. Think sunken wrecks, reefs, underwater oil rigs, and rock piles. These are not surface fish. You’re typically dropping down 100 to 250 feet or even deeper. When I fish off the coast of Florida, amberjack are almost always near structure. I’ve pulled up some big ones from the wreck of the Thunderbolt off Key West, and I’ve seen anglers snap rods because they weren’t ready for the vertical pull from below. Yellowtail, meanwhile, live in the Pacific Ocean. You’ll find California Yellowtail from Southern California down through Baja Mexico, and over near New Zealand and Australia. The Japanese Yellowtail, often used for sushi, is more common in Asian waters and frequently farmed. They prefer shallower structures like kelp beds, reefs, and rocky outcrops, usually hanging around 40

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Mahi-mahi

Dorado vs Mahi Mahi: Are They the Same Fish?

Ever been out on the water and someone yells, “We got a dorado!”—and you’re standing there thinking, “Wait… isn’t that mahi mahi?” I’ve been there. More than once. Are dorado and mahi mahi the same fish? It is one of the most common questions we hear from beginner anglers and even seasoned fishermen exploring new waters. You might be trolling off the coast of Florida and hook a vibrant, neon-green fish the captain calls a dolphinfish. But head down to Mexico, and that same fish is now called dorado. Take a trip to Hawaii? Suddenly, it’s mahi mahi on the line. It’s confusing. But here’s the truth: they’re the same fish. Seriously. In this article, I’ll break down why they have different names, how they’re caught, where they live, and why people still argue about this online. Let’s clear the water. So, Is Dorado the Same as Mahi Mahi? Yes. 100%. Same exact fish. They’re both common names for a species called Coryphaena hippurus. That’s the scientific name. Nobody actually uses it unless they’re writing a research paper. But it

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