Tackle Theory

Cleaning & Conservation

Cleaning and filleting your catch, keeping fish fresh from the water to the cooler, catch-and-release technique that fish actually survive, and the regulations and ethics that keep a fishery healthy for the seasons to come.

Cleaning & Conservation

8 guides
Cleaning & Conservation

How to Clean and Fillet a Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to fillet a fish cleanly and safely, from the first cut behind the gill to removing pin bones. Covers panfish, bass, catfish, and trout.

July 4, 2026
Cleaning & Conservation

Leave No Trace Fishing: Line, Litter, and Etiquette

A practical guide to fishing etiquette and conservation: pack out line and trash, recycle monofilament, give anglers space, and protect wildlife.

July 3, 2026
Cleaning & Conservation

How to Remove a Deeply Hooked Fish

Learn how to remove a deep hook safely, when to cut the line instead, and how to set up your tackle to prevent gut-hooked fish from the start.

June 28, 2026
Cleaning & Conservation

What to Do With Your Catch: From Water to Table

Caught a fish and not sure what comes next? This guide walks beginners through keep vs. release, keeping fish cold, cleaning basics, and simple table prep.

June 25, 2026
Cleaning & Conservation

How to Handle a Fish Without Hurting It

Learn proper fish handling techniques for catch and release, including wet hands, grip, and support so fish swim away healthy.

June 19, 2026
Cleaning & Conservation

Fishing Regulations, Limits, and Seasons: A Plain-English Guide

Learn what creel limits, size limits, seasons, and gear rules actually mean — plus how to find and read the exact regulations for your water.

June 16, 2026
Cleaning & Conservation

Catch and Release: How to Do It So Fish Survive

Learn the catch and release tips that actually keep fish alive — from hook choice and fighting time to wet hands, reviving technique, and deep-hook handling.

June 12, 2026
Cleaning & Conservation

How to Keep Fish Fresh After You Catch Them

Keep your catch table-ready with ice slurry ratios, bleeding tips, and storage basics — from the water to your cooler in the right order.

June 7, 2026

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