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The Total Fishing Manual (Field & Stream): 317 Essential Fishing Skills
When it comes to fishing, nobody knows more than the writers and editors at Field & Stream magazine--unless it's the local guides, prizewinners, and other experts they interviewed for this book. The Total Fishing Manual is chock full of 317 field-tested tools, techniques and tactics, collected and written by the Field & Stream editors and accompanied by amazing photos and handy illustrations.
GEAR UP How to pick the best lures, baits, flies, and tackle for every situation and every style of water you plan to fish. Customize your rod and reel to suit your every need. Learn how to customize your rod and reel, and to get the most out of your equipment.
HIT THE WATER From small streams to major rivers, ponds to big lakes, and bays to the open ocean, hundreds of field-tested strategies will help you catch more fish with or without a boat.
FIND THE FISH Professional fishing guides from across the country tell you how and where to find lunker bass, trophy walleyes, huge trout, and more - right in your home waters.
SET THE HOOK Whether you're bobber fishing for bluegills with the kids or heading out after the muskie of a lifetime, the techniques and tactics in this book will make your trip a success.
Whether you're a beginner, a weekend angler or a serious sport fisher this book has the information you need to hook’em.
GEAR UP How to pick the best lures, baits, flies, and tackle for every situation and every style of water you plan to fish. Customize your rod and reel to suit your every need. Learn how to customize your rod and reel, and to get the most out of your equipment.
HIT THE WATER From small streams to major rivers, ponds to big lakes, and bays to the open ocean, hundreds of field-tested strategies will help you catch more fish with or without a boat.
FIND THE FISH Professional fishing guides from across the country tell you how and where to find lunker bass, trophy walleyes, huge trout, and more - right in your home waters.
SET THE HOOK Whether you're bobber fishing for bluegills with the kids or heading out after the muskie of a lifetime, the techniques and tactics in this book will make your trip a success.
Whether you're a beginner, a weekend angler or a serious sport fisher this book has the information you need to hook’em.
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 23, 2015
I enjoyed reading this magazine because I like to fish in all kind of waters. This magazine goes into depth about where and how to fish. I think this magazine could be helpful to many people. It has a lot of great fishing information and tips inside. There are many different ideas and professional fishing tips that are exposed in this magazine. In this magazine a reader can learn how to catch big fish and where is good places to go catch them. It also explains where and at what time of the day a person can catch the fish. Certain places that the reader goes, have a different time frame to catch fish. People also can learn what part of the lakes or rivers to go on to do the best catching. It tells about what kind of bait to use on different types of fish also. It's not just worm anymore like I thought. There are so many different types of bait out there to use. They do a good job of explaining this to the reader.
There are many main characters in this edition. There is one article by Dave Genz that shows how to make more efficient use of plastic baits. He explained how most fishermen are against plastics because they feel they catch less fish. He argued that with real bait it cost more to constantly buy it. He said that with more use of fake bait that the user will have more luck and it is also more affordable. This article impressed me because of my beliefs about fake bait. I would rather use live bait. Each article has a different topic that is covered and a different fishermen that is exposing some of their ideas and tips. Some of the well known fishermen tell their tips as well as the average person.
It takes place in the present day. They talk about Minnesota Boundary Waters. All of the articles have been written for this magazine specifically. The people that write the article draw you towards their article just by there personal background. For example the professional known fishermen are more likely to draw your attention because you are familiar with them.
The largest theme found in this magazine is fishing. If you don't care for fishing you most likely won't make a connection with it. On the other hand if you enjoy fishing you will probably read it from front to back,and make the connection.
I would recommend this magazine to anybody who fishes or is interested in fishing. It would be interesting to the older generation as well as the younger. Anyone that enjoys fishing should at least take a look at this. Both genders could read this magazine for fishing tips.
There are many main characters in this edition. There is one article by Dave Genz that shows how to make more efficient use of plastic baits. He explained how most fishermen are against plastics because they feel they catch less fish. He argued that with real bait it cost more to constantly buy it. He said that with more use of fake bait that the user will have more luck and it is also more affordable. This article impressed me because of my beliefs about fake bait. I would rather use live bait. Each article has a different topic that is covered and a different fishermen that is exposing some of their ideas and tips. Some of the well known fishermen tell their tips as well as the average person.
It takes place in the present day. They talk about Minnesota Boundary Waters. All of the articles have been written for this magazine specifically. The people that write the article draw you towards their article just by there personal background. For example the professional known fishermen are more likely to draw your attention because you are familiar with them.
The largest theme found in this magazine is fishing. If you don't care for fishing you most likely won't make a connection with it. On the other hand if you enjoy fishing you will probably read it from front to back,and make the connection.
I would recommend this magazine to anybody who fishes or is interested in fishing. It would be interesting to the older generation as well as the younger. Anyone that enjoys fishing should at least take a look at this. Both genders could read this magazine for fishing tips.
January 7, 2017
This is a great book the covers all the basics and things you need to know to be a better fisherman. It is general tips that cover all types of fishing. I have been fishing for 50 years and I still found it enjoyable to read and worth the time. Check it out.
September 19, 2019
Caveats to my review: (1) I'm a very casual fisherman. Usually bass on the boat with friends a couple times a year. (2) I don't know much about fishing. (3) I read the ebook.
The ebook format was extremely difficult to use. There were only 3 sections and you could navigate only to those 3 sections from the table of contents. (Not very conducive to reading a reference book.)
As to content, this is not really a how-to guide for a beginner (e.g. explaining very basic things like line test, specific hook sizes for various species of fish, etc.). The content was more geared toward intermediate and advanced fisherman looking to up there game and broaden their knowledge, yet it felt too broad in scope to be particularly useful in honing more specialized skills.
On the whole, not bad. Worth a flip through if you're one type of angler looking to get some ideas on how to change your game on what type of fish or areas you want to fish.
The ebook format was extremely difficult to use. There were only 3 sections and you could navigate only to those 3 sections from the table of contents. (Not very conducive to reading a reference book.)
As to content, this is not really a how-to guide for a beginner (e.g. explaining very basic things like line test, specific hook sizes for various species of fish, etc.). The content was more geared toward intermediate and advanced fisherman looking to up there game and broaden their knowledge, yet it felt too broad in scope to be particularly useful in honing more specialized skills.
On the whole, not bad. Worth a flip through if you're one type of angler looking to get some ideas on how to change your game on what type of fish or areas you want to fish.
January 13, 2020
In the book ''The Total Fishing Manual'' by Joe Cermele there are over 300 little sections to answer all the fishing questions you have but all 300 are summed up into one big section. These sections are Tools, Techniques, and Tactics. My favorite being number 222 ''SNEAK UP ON MORE FISH'' it taught me that fish are very sensitive to vibrations and are very weary and if your in a boat you should wait 2 minutes after turning off your motor to cast your line. All these sections have around 100 pages and are very descriptive. The book provides little sections about certain fish every now and then, there are 20 in all ranging from the simple blue gill to the Chinook Salmon. In all this book is great for beginner fishermen or even just a fun read for a pro, that gives you a rap around the world of fishing.
February 10, 2020
Great book, lots of good content is this book that I like and need to know when I go fishing out on the water. If you are a beginner at fishing, this book is the one for you, it tells you how to fish for your target species. This book helped me with being successful when I’m looking for a, Muskie, Red Drum, Black Drum, and more! Overall good book!
October 8, 2023
Great One!
This helped me as a beginner understand a lot of the rigging techniques and tricks but it also had tips that my husband and my father had never heard of and they have over a100 years combined fishing experience. Putting the beads or bells in the frog lures amazed my snakehead fishing friends!
This helped me as a beginner understand a lot of the rigging techniques and tricks but it also had tips that my husband and my father had never heard of and they have over a100 years combined fishing experience. Putting the beads or bells in the frog lures amazed my snakehead fishing friends!
September 2, 2018
Good read
Informative book that covers a little of everything. A good bit was not relevant to the specific species i ever plan to fish for but nevertheless i learned some new tricks to apply the next time I'm in the water.
Informative book that covers a little of everything. A good bit was not relevant to the specific species i ever plan to fish for but nevertheless i learned some new tricks to apply the next time I'm in the water.
January 18, 2025
pretty goodbook
could be better🤗🤗🤗🤗
although its packed with many interesting facts many people will probably find it boring and straightforward but it is a good starter book🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒
could be better🤗🤗🤗🤗
although its packed with many interesting facts many people will probably find it boring and straightforward but it is a good starter book🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒
August 20, 2018
really useful for a person just getting into the sport of fishing.
10/10
10/10
July 1, 2019
nice book
May 20, 2022
Maybe it should be called total freshwater fishing manual. Definitely does not have a lot of saltwater fishing tips.
July 6, 2025
Not as useful as I'd like
There is a lot of information in this book, but it's not very well organized and often assumes you're already an experienced fisherman.
There is a lot of information in this book, but it's not very well organized and often assumes you're already an experienced fisherman.
April 9, 2020
I was expecting a lot more out of this book. I almost wanted to give it 1 star, but at least it great illustrations/photographs, along with random tidbits of knowledge scattered throughout the book, enough for me to at least give it 2 stars.
I would not recommend this book for beginners or more advanced fishermen. This "book" is more of a shopping catalogue than anything. I feel like I bought/read a product birthed from Bass Pro Shop / Cabela's and all I did was receive 256 pages of ads.
I do not recommend this book.
I would not recommend this book for beginners or more advanced fishermen. This "book" is more of a shopping catalogue than anything. I feel like I bought/read a product birthed from Bass Pro Shop / Cabela's and all I did was receive 256 pages of ads.
I do not recommend this book.
June 19, 2026
Lots of great tips, though I wasn't too keen for the organization. It seemed to constantly jump between bait and spin casting, fly fishing and anything from a boat. Would be much better if the tips were organized by type of fishing, different seasons, different species tips.
May 9, 2013
The visuals and tutorials in this book are amazing!! It made a great gift for my son who is stationed in Turkey : )
Read
September 23, 2016It is very helpful
December 29, 2022
Very helpful
October 4, 2015
Good introductory information for the new angler. The book lacks real depth of information.
May 20, 2019
its gonna be good
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews