Fishing Academy

Four styles of saltwater fishing pliers with protective sheaths arranged on a white boat deck, with ocean waves in the background and Xmark Outdoors logo.

Fishing Pliers: Complete Buying Guide

  Quick Answer There is no single best pair of fishing pliers. The right choice depends on the species you fish, the hook sizes and terminal tackle in your kit,...

Fishing Pliers: Complete Buying Guide

  Quick Answer There is no single best pair of fishing pliers. The right choice depends on the species you fish, the hook sizes and terminal tackle in your kit,...

Essential saltwater fishing tools including fishing pliers, hook and wire cutters, braid scissors, fillet knife, fish gripper, and sharpener on an offshore boat deck.

Essential Saltwater Fishing Tools

Quick Answer There is no single mandatory tool list for every saltwater angler. The tools that matter depend on how you fish, what species you target, what tackle and line...

Essential Saltwater Fishing Tools

Quick Answer There is no single mandatory tool list for every saltwater angler. The tools that matter depend on how you fish, what species you target, what tackle and line...

Barracuda Fishing Mistakes: Common Problems & How to Fix Them

Barracuda Fishing Mistakes: Common Problems & H...

Quick Answer When barracuda fishing isn’t producing, the problem is rarely one thing. Common issues involve location and water-reading, rig condition and inspection, presentation and lure behavior, leader choice and...

Barracuda Fishing Mistakes: Common Problems & H...

Quick Answer When barracuda fishing isn’t producing, the problem is rarely one thing. Common issues involve location and water-reading, rig condition and inspection, presentation and lure behavior, leader choice and...

How to Prevent Fishing Pliers from Corroding

How to Prevent Fishing Pliers from Corroding

Quick Answer Prevent fishing pliers from corroding by removing salt, fish residue and contamination promptly after use, rinsing with fresh water so it reaches the pivot, cutters and hardware, drying...

How to Prevent Fishing Pliers from Corroding

Quick Answer Prevent fishing pliers from corroding by removing salt, fish residue and contamination promptly after use, rinsing with fresh water so it reaches the pivot, cutters and hardware, drying...

Barracuda Leader & Rigging Guide: Preventing Cutoffs

Barracuda Leader & Rigging Guide: Preventing Cu...

Quick Answer There is no single correct leader setup for barracuda fishing. Great barracuda have sharp, cutting teeth that create meaningful cutoff risk — the fish can sever leader material...

Barracuda Leader & Rigging Guide: Preventing Cu...

Quick Answer There is no single correct leader setup for barracuda fishing. Great barracuda have sharp, cutting teeth that create meaningful cutoff risk — the fish can sever leader material...

Where to Find Barracuda: Structure, Water & Locations

Where to Find Barracuda: Structure, Water & Loc...

Quick Answer Great barracuda are found across a wide range of nearshore and offshore tropical and subtropical saltwater environments. Documented habitat includes coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and open-ocean water....

Where to Find Barracuda: Structure, Water & Loc...

Quick Answer Great barracuda are found across a wide range of nearshore and offshore tropical and subtropical saltwater environments. Documented habitat includes coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and open-ocean water....