Whitewater Fishing introduces three technical UPF hoodie options—Spindrift Merino, Slipstream Bamboo, and Lightweight Tech—designed to protect anglers from UV exposure and overheating during extended on-water sessions.

Whitewater Fishing introduces three UPF-rated hoodie options—Spindrift Merino, Slipstream Bamboo, and Lightweight Tech—designed to protect anglers from UV exposure and overheating during extended fishing sessions. Each hoodie offers distinct benefits tailored to different heat conditions and activity levels.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in collaboration with Wildlife Forever, announced the 2026 Florida Fish Art Contest winners across four grade brackets. Winners including Emily Jin, Savannah LaViolette, Sebastian Romo, Mila Das, and others will advance to the National Competition. FWC Commissioner Sonya Rood praised the young artists' talent and creativity in celebrating Florida's native fish species.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is replacing and relocating navigation markers in McGriff Pass, Alligator Pass, and Salt Creek of the Suwannee River in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. The project in Dixie and Levy counties is expected to be completed by summer 2026 and will improve channel delineation for boaters.

Sharrow Engineering partnered with Ford Motor Company's Advanced Industrial Technology & Platforms team to scale production of the Sharrow Propeller using 3D sand-casting techniques, reducing production timelines from 130 days to approximately two weeks. The collaboration, facilitated through Michigan Central's innovation ecosystem, enables Sharrow to meet growing demand from recreational boaters, commercial operators, and government agencies.

Grady-White Boats hosted House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and Rep. Greg Murphy to discuss how the Working Families Tax Cut legislation is driving manufacturing investments in North Carolina. The company has expanded generator capacity, production tools, and equipment while the National Marine Manufacturers Association supports the tax law for industry predictability.

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is extending application deadlines to April 20, 2026 for conservation grants and May 1, 2026 for fisheries scholarships, offering $65,000 to support research and habitat enhancement. Recent projects like those by Watersheds Canada demonstrate significant improvements in spawning success rates.

EGO Fishing has established ten protocols for sustainable catch-and-release fishing to ensure fish survival upon release. The standards cover pre-contact hydration, non-abrasive netting, submerged hook extraction, proper weight distribution, and other critical handling techniques designed to minimize stress and mortality during the transition from hook to water.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited in most state waters, and any incidentally caught sturgeon must be immediately released. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has led lake sturgeon rehabilitation efforts in the Manistee and Muskegon rivers since the early 2000s to restore this culturally significant species.

The Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon For Tomorrow, partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and tribal governments, seeks volunteers from mid-April through early June to guard lake sturgeon during spawning season along the Black River in Cheboygan County. The 20-year-old program has virtually eliminated poaching while protecting this threatened species.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife surveyed Bobtail and Steelman creeks in September 2025, finding over 1,300 cutthroat trout and recapturing YY brook trout stocked in 2024. The Trojan male brook trout project, led by Jon Ewert and Boyd Wright, continues showing positive results in restoring native cutthroat populations.

The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana is calling for public support of four bills targeting industrial menhaden operations dominated by Canadian-owned Omega Protein and South African-controlled Daybrook Fisheries. The House Natural Resources and Environment Committee will hear the bills on April 8, 2026, addressing buffer zones, penalties, vessel tracking, and harvest data transparency.

ODFW staff at the Ashland Boat Inspection Station discovered golden mussels on a watercraft transported from the Sacramento River Delta on April 4, marking the first detection of adult golden mussels being transported into Oregon. The watercraft was decontaminated and all mussels were properly disposed. ODFW Invasive Species Coordinator Keith DeHart emphasized the critical importance of watercraft inspections in protecting Oregon's fisheries and infrastructure.

Idaho's snowpack levels are significantly below average this winter, creating concerns for river health and recreation. Warmer conditions and reduced snow will likely cause earlier runoff and faster water decline through summer, with an El Niño pattern expected through year's end.

Minnesota Sea Grant and Texas Sea Grant were selected to lead the Sea Grant Aquaculture Leadership Academy for 2026-2027, training up to 60 professionals with virtual and in-person sessions in Minnesota and Texas. The $350,000 program, administered by the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, will feature hands-on experiences at aquaculture facilities in the Great Lakes and Gulf of America regions.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents arrested Jody K. Jeane for attempted theft and forgery after he allegedly submitted a bass caught in Vernon Lake to the Toledo Bend Lake Association's Lunker Bass Program, which requires fish be caught in Toledo Bend Reservoir. Agents identified the fish by its distinctive tail markings visible in social media photos.

The Exceptional Anglers event "Gone Fishin', Not Just Wishin'" at Oak Mountain State Park will teach basic fishing skills to students with disabilities from Alabaster, Pelham, Shelby, and Jefferson county schools May 6-8, 2026. The event includes fishing, art projects, wildlife education, and water safety training, with media invited May 7.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) conducts its annual "Razorback Roundup" survey at Lake Mohave to assess razorback sucker populations. Fish are weighed, measured, and tagged with PIT microchips to monitor movement and population size as part of decades-long recovery efforts for this species.

The Gulf Council will host an in-person meeting of its Ad Hoc Red Snapper and Grouper-Tilefish IFQ Advisory Panel on April 21 in Tampa, Florida. The panel will evaluate proposed amendments regarding commercial red grouper quota pools and IFQ permit requirements, with public comment accepted in-person and via webinar.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Michigan Muskie Alliance, Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS), and Grand Valley State University to track 20 Great Lakes strain muskellunge in Lake Macatawa using acoustic telemetry tags. Data shows these fish travel extensively, with some tracked to Chicago, Grand Haven, Saugatuck, and Green Bay, revealing surprising migration patterns over a seven-year study period.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife completed walleye spawning operations at Pueblo and Cherry Creek Reservoirs, collecting and fertilizing approximately 127 million eggs delivered to Pueblo and Wray hatcheries. Aquatic biologist Carrie Tucker emphasized the critical importance of these efforts to maintaining strong walleye fisheries across Colorado, with volunteers playing a crucial role in the spawning process.

MassWildlife will hold a public hearing on May 4, 2026, to discuss proposed changes to freshwater fishing regulations, including new daily bag limits for American eels and trout, updates to Atlantic salmon regulations, and amendments to fish possession definitions. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife seeks to align regulations with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission requirements and simplify trout regulations.

The lower Deschutes River will open for spring Chinook salmon fishing May 5-20, 2026, marking the first season since 2018. Deschutes District Fish Biologist Jason Seals reports expectations of more than 2,000 hatchery spring Chinook returns, with anglers allowed one hatchery Chinook per day.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council liberalized coastwide recreational harvest rules for black sea bass and bluefish in 2026. Connecticut's new regulations include black sea bass with a 15.5-inch minimum length, May 16-November 25 season, and 4-fish bag limit, while bluefish regulations allow a 5-fish bag limit year-round.

New Jersey's trout season opens April 11 with 19 additional fishing days, 23 new stocked ponds, and over 570,000 rainbow trout plus 20,000 brown trout from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. The NJDEP Fish & Wildlife has simplified regulations and expanded opportunities for anglers across the state.

Virginia's spring shad run marks the unofficial beginning of fishing season, with hickory and American shad returning to rivers like the James and Rappahannock for spawning. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources notes that while hickories are abundant, Americans are catch-and-release only under current harvest restrictions.

Seneca Creek in Pendleton County, West Virginia, is a premier brook trout fishery beneath Seneca Rocks, the Eastern U.S.'s only true peak. Trout Unlimited, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have restored streambanks and improved fish passage through the Potomac Headwaters Home Rivers Initiative.

GoOutdoorsFlorida and TrophyCatch partnered with Front Row Motorsports to sponsor a Craftsman Truck Series vehicle driven by Chandler Smith to victory at Daytona, reaching over a million viewers. TrophyCatch Season 14 has recorded 16,897 approved bass submissions, including 176 Hall of Fame catches, with Phoenix Boats sponsoring boat prizes and Justin Goodman winning the Season 13 grand finale drawing.

Clark Harman, a 64-year-old crop advisor from Burley, Idaho, won the 2026 MLF Road to REDCREST Sweepstakes, earning a trip to REDCREST 2026 Presented by Mercury and Lowrance and the Outdoor Sports Expo in Springfield, Missouri, April 17-19. The dedicated Major League Fishing fan hopes to meet anglers like Dustin Connell, Ott DeFoe, and Jacob Wheeler during the championship weekend.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announces the 2026-2027 general inland fishing season opens May 2 statewide with several new regulations and season structures in effect. Key changes include the muskellunge season opening May 2 on all inland waters, a catch-and-release lake sturgeon season on select waters, and new species-specific bag and length limits across the state.

The Missouri Department of Conservation's Bennett Spring Fish Hatchery is hosting a free Veterans' Fishing Day on April 18 at Bennett Spring State Park, offering no license or daily tag fees for veterans and active duty service members. The event includes fly tying demos, casting instruction, and adaptive fishing equipment displays.

DEC and Onondaga County Parks are hosting family-friendly, all-abilities fishing events at Onondaga Lake. All events are land-based, require no fishing license, and DEC provides rods, bait, and staff assistance for first-time anglers.

VMC introduces the RedLine Series Swivel Fluke Hook, designed by pro angler Seth Feider. The custom hook features PTFE coating for faster penetration, a mono keeper, and a swivel to eliminate line twists, with a suggested retail price of $10.99.

Yamaha introduces Helm Master EX Full Maneuverability, featuring digital electric steering, wireless controls, joystick operation, autopilot, and a new Man Overboard System. The innovative wireless controller enables single-handed boat operation from anywhere on deck, enhancing safety and convenience for saltwater fishing boat captains.

Plano introduces the StowAll family, a versatile storage solution lineup including Zip Pouches, Waterproof Zip Pouches, and Packing Cubes designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Product Manager Daniel Vega notes the system works across boats, trucks, backpacks, and camp setups to keep gear protected and organized.

Daiwa introduces the 2026 Certate HD spinning reel, featuring revolutionary Airdrive Design technology and a rigid Monocoque aluminum chassis engineered for extreme saltwater environments. The reel eliminates mechanical friction through advanced shaft and rotor systems while offering multiple sizes optimized for redfish, snapper, snook, and pelagic species.

Shakespeare launches new Disney-inspired Youth Fishing Kits featuring Frozen and Moana designs for children ages 4 and up. Each kit includes a 2'6" rod and reel combo, multi-purpose play box, net, Hide-A-Hook bobbers, Berkley Gulp! Pinched Crawlers, and youth fishing journal, retailing for $59.99.

The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) kicks off its 100th anniversary celebration on April 9, 2026, marking a century of supporting outdoor journalists, authors, photographers, and digital content creators. Founded in Chicago in 1927, OWAA will commemorate the milestone through its 2026 annual conference in Madison, Wisconsin, featuring historical displays and a special fundraising campaign.

MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) announces new MeatEater episodes available every Friday, featuring content from Steven Rinella and his crew. The platform adds three new seasons and two all-new programs: MeatEater – Rinella's Field Notes and MeatEater's 12 in '26, expanding MOTV's outdoor programming library.

MyOutdoorTV launches spring fishing content featuring new and returning series from hosts Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, the Lindners, Mark Zona, and Kevin VanDam. The platform offers expert-driven fishing tips, tactics, and Major League Fishing coverage across multiple streaming platforms.

World Fishing Network offers a free month-long preview throughout April on providers including Dish, Sling, Cox, Armstrong, TDS, Service Electric, and Blue Ridge, reaching approximately 7.65M incremental subscribers. The preview features programming from legendary anglers like Bill Dance, Roland Martin, and Jimmy Houston, plus tournament fishing and culinary content.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation's Commissioners' Cup Youth Bass Fishing Tournament, presented by Xpress Boats, returns for its eighth year on May 16 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs. High school and junior anglers compete in teams with boat captains for scholarships, trophies, and gear.

Fluorocarbon makes terrific leader material—most of us agree on that. It’s very low-viz, it’s abrasion and tooth resistant, holds knots pretty well and generally does what’s needed to make the perfect leader.

But as a running line, not so much.

Fluorocarbon on baitcasters has caused issues for many of us. Because most blends are stiffer than mono at a given diameter, many fluoro lines tend to create incredible snarls, even on the best reels with good casting technique. Softer mono doesn’t—so mono still rules for many of us, even though it lacks some of the advantages of fluoro. For heavier duty like froggin’ in thick cover, most now use braid of 50- to 65-pound test.

Fluorocarbon has very little stretch so it’s great for setting the hook as well as feeling what your lure is doing. And it sinks, as mono does not, so it's useful for getting jerkbaits and other slow-sink lures deeper quicker. And it has a lower visibility than most mono’s and all braids, so it’s less likely to alert fish in clear water.

But hey, if you’re throwing backlashes on every other cast, all of this does not matter. That’s why nobody uses light braid on baitcasters—anything under about 30 pound test digs into itself and causes incredible tangles due to the extremely fine diameters.

But, some recent fluorocarbon blends, combined with thoughtful handling, appear to have solved many of the issues of fluoro on baitcasters—if not on spinning tackle, where braid rules for most applications except UL. Softer fluorocarbons now are being produced specifically as casting lines, not leader material. And they’re priced more reasonably than many of the designated fluoro leader materials, too.

Berkley’s new GinClear Fluorocarbon is one of the better examples of that shift. It doesn’t feel like the fluorocarbon many of us consider the norm. It comes off the sales spool smoothly thanks to “parallel winding” and lays evenly under tension. It doesn’t appear to retain coils between casts in the 12 pound test I’ve been using. The line feels closer to a premium mono in hand but it’s got the density of fluoro so it sinks—good for the soft plastics most of us are throwing here on Guntersville now as the bass spawn merges into the shad spawn bite.

Memory is where the difference shows most. This iteration of fluoro doesn’t try to spring back into tight loops when there’s a bit of slack. That matters when pitching, skipping, or making long casts with lighter lures. The line stays manageable even after several hours of casting, which was rarely true of earlier fluorocarbons, particularly in anything above 15-pound-test.

Visibility remains low in clear water—for trout and smallmouth anglers this will be an important feature in many waters, as well as for those chasing bonefish, permit or other flats species.  

Pricing is reasonable. A typical 200-yard spool usually falls in the mid-$20 range depending on pound test and retailer. Larger filler spools cost more upfront but are commonly used by anglers committing to fluorocarbon as a full-time baitcaster line. That puts GinClear roughly at about what many anglers already spend on premium line. It’s available in 4- to 25-pound-test.

Other manufacturers have followed similar paths.

Sunline makes an impressive spread of over a dozen casting fluorocarbons, each tweaked for slightly different degrees of flex, hardness, castability and other features. Their flagship fluoro is the FC Sniper, unusual in that it’s available in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 pound tests for UL anglers as well as in many heavier tests up to 30, priced at around $30 for 200 yards.

Seaguar has been tweaking castable fluorocarbon for some time. Lines like InvizX and Red Label are commonly spooled straight onto baitcasters and even on spinning reels in lighter tests. InvizX is known for suppleness and consistent knot strength, while Red Label offers a slightly firmer feel at a lower price point. Costs typically run from the low $20s into the $30s for standard spool sizes.

Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon targets the same price range. Advance is designed to be softer and more forgiving than traditional fluorocarbon while maintaining controlled stretch, per the company. Many anglers favor it for crankbaits and reaction lures where a little give helps keep fish pinned.

P-Line Fluorocarbon options also fit this category, particularly in lighter to mid-range pound tests. P-Line has long emphasized abrasion resistance and knot reliability, and their fluorocarbon reflects that approach. Costs vary widely by model but generally sit between budget and premium offerings.

Within Berkley’s own lineup, Vanish and FluoroShield remain part of the conversation. Vanish has evolved considerably from its early iterations and is widely available at lower prices, often under $20 per spool. FluoroShield, a fluorocarbon-coated hybrid, blends nylon handling with improved abrasion resistance and typically costs even less, making it a common choice for anglers who want to try fluoro as running line at a moderate investment.

What ever the line you use, it will benefit from firm, steady pressure during spooling, avoiding overfilling, and letting the line seat itself under load. Level winding and engineered formulas help, but you still have to follow good basics to avoid the dreaded “knotmares” that are every angler’s bane.

– Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com