The TackleHaul Blog
Spinning vs. Baitcasting for Bass: Which Should Beginners Use?
Spinning or baitcasting for bass? The honest answer depends on what you're fishing. Here's how to choose, and why you'll probably want both eventually.
May 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Best Spinning Reel Under $100: What's Actually Worth Buying
The best spinning reel under $100 is the Pflueger President, smooth, durable, and genuinely good. Here's why it wins and what else is worth considering.
May 25, 2026 · 7 min read
Best Fly Fishing Line for Beginners: What to Buy First
The best fly fishing line for beginners is a weight-forward floating line matched to your rod weight. Here's what that means, what to buy, and what to ignore.
May 22, 2026 · 6 min read
Roll Casting for Beginners: How I Finally Got It
Roll casting is the most useful fly cast you'll learn, and the one most beginners skip. Here's what finally clicked for me after struggling with it for months.
May 19, 2026 · 7 min read
Best Father's Day Fishing Gifts for the Dad Who Has Everything
When the fishing dad already owns the basics, here's what to get him, higher-end picks he'd never buy himself but will actually use on the water.
May 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Shimano Stradic 2500: Best Price in May 2026 + Where to Buy (FL vs FM Explained)
The Shimano Stradic FM 2500HG is $249.99 at Tackle Warehouse and Amazon — $5 less than Bass Pro, FishUSA, and most other retailers. All in stock. FL vs FM transition explained.
May 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Best Father's Day Fishing Gifts Under $50 (Picks That Actually Get Used)
The best Father's Day fishing gifts under $50 are the ones he'll use every trip. Here are my honest picks, no filler, no Amazon gimmicks.
May 12, 2026 · 5 min read
Best UV Fishing Shirts for Summer: Sun Protection That Actually Works
I fish in a UV hoodie almost every summer trip now. Here's why it's one of the best pieces of fishing gear I've added, and what to look for when buying one.
May 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Shimano Sedona FJ 2500: Best Price in May 2026 + Where to Buy
As of May 2026, the Shimano Sedona FJ 2500HG is $89.99 across all major retailers. Here's who has it in stock, who ships fastest, and whether $89.99 is worth paying.
May 8, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Break Up Your Bass Fishing Day (And Why It Actually Matters)
Most fishing guides tell you to fish all day. Here's why that's wrong, and how splitting your day around midday pays off in the UP and everywhere else.
May 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Best Beginner Fly Fishing Setup: What I Actually Use
I learned to fly fish in my 30s on an Orvis setup. Here's exactly what I use and what I'd buy if I were starting from zero today — no guesswork needed.
May 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Fly Fishing Gear Checklist: What You Need and What You Don't
I bought some fly fishing gear I never use. Here's the honest checklist — what's actually worth buying and what you can skip when you're starting out.
May 5, 2026 · 4 min read
How to Clean and Cook Bluegill: A Simple Cabin-Style Guide
Bluegill are one of the best eating fish in fresh water. Here's how I clean and cook them at the cabin without fuss — no food blog required.
May 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Bluegill Fishing Tips: The Most Underrated Fish in the Lake
Bluegill get dismissed as a kids' fish. They're not. Here's why serious anglers should be targeting them this spring, with tips that actually work.
May 2, 2026 · 4 min read
Best Beginner Fly Fishing Rod Under $200: What I'd Buy If Starting Over
I learned to fly fish on an Orvis setup and never regretted it. Here's what I'd buy as a first fly rod if I were starting over today, under $200.
April 30, 2026 · 4 min read
How to Fly Fish for Beginners: The One Thing You're Getting Wrong
Learning to fly fish in your 30s taught me one thing most beginners get backwards. Here's the mental shift that changed everything for me.
April 27, 2026 · 5 min read
Best Bass Fishing Lures for Beginners (That Actually Catch Fish)
Starting out bass fishing? Skip the gimmicks. Here are 4 lures that have caught bass for decades: simple to use, easy to find, and they actually work.
April 23, 2026 · 6 min read
Best Baitcasting Rod for Bass Under $100
Looking for a solid baitcasting rod for bass without spending a fortune? Here are two that punch well above their price, plus what to look for before you buy.
April 21, 2026 · 6 min read
Best Rapala Lures for Bass: What Actually Works
After 30 years fishing Rapalas for bass in Michigan, here are the three models I actually use — and why I stopped buying anything flashier.
April 18, 2026 · 7 min read
Early Morning Bass Fishing: Why It Makes or Breaks Your Day
Early morning bass fishing is worth the alarm. Here's what 30+ years on a Michigan lake taught me about why the first hour—and the last—are everything.
April 14, 2026 · 6 min read
Why We Built TackleHaul
The story behind TackleHaul — how an overpriced reel purchase sparked an idea to give anglers a smarter way to shop for fishing gear.
April 1, 2026 · 2 min read
Best Spinning Reels Under $200 in 2026
The top spinning reels under $200 for freshwater and light saltwater fishing — tested options from Shimano, Daiwa, and Penn that punch above their price.
March 15, 2026 · 3 min read
Shimano Stradic vs. Daiwa Certate: Which Reel Wins?
A direct comparison of two of the best mid-range spinning reels: the Shimano Stradic FM and the Daiwa Certate LT. Which one is worth your money?
March 1, 2026 · 3 min read