By Joaquin Arocena

By Joe Cermele

So it's back to work today. Yes, I too am pining for a few more days off after a most eventful Memorial Day weekend. Though you can certainly count on crowds, this weekend has always been the official kick-off of the serious fishing season for me. Case in point, former F&S Intern Rick Bach (below) came down to Jersey, as I told him Memorial Day always coughs up the first big stripers of the season. I wasn't lying. We boated bass to 41 pounds. Those fish were not around one week ago.

By John Merwin

Using barbless hooks makes a lot of sense much of the time, but I think too many people ignore the idea. I was rigging a box of lures this morning for my older kids to take striper fishing later in the week. And I took the time to pinch down all the barbs on a variety of treble-hooked plugs. No, I am not being mean--doing so in hopes they’ll land fewer fish. I am instead thinking of them and hoping they’ll fish more safely.

By John Merwin

This morning I’m fishing for advice on catching brown trout. Here’s the deal. One of my favorite bass lakes also holds a number of large browns. Right now in the cold, clear waters of early spring, the trout are cruising the shoreline drop-offs chasing baitfish. These browns are skittish and easily spooked. They are also serious fish--from 2 on up to 6 or 7 pounds and more.