The Piscators Journal
Stories, Techniques & the Thinking Behind the Tackle
A closer look at the traditions, techniques, equipment and ideas that shape the way we fish — where they came from, how they work and why they still matter.
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A Brief History of the Fishing Hook—and How to Read Hook Sizes
“… having withall regard to the bigness or littleness of your hook” — Izaak Walton, The Compleat Angler (1653) Long before Walton wrote about fishing hooks, anglers used a simple…
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The Weight Below: A History of Downriggers and the Art of Controlled-Depth Trolling
From improvised trolling weights to modern precision systems, we trace the history of the downrigger and how controlled-depth trolling changed the way anglers fish deep water.
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The Chum Line: History, Science, and the Art of Bringing Fish to You
From its origins to scent trails, currents and chum bags, we explore why chumming works and how anglers use it to bring fish within reach.