Acclimate-fishing-The adaptation of an organism adjusting to a chronic change in its environment, often involving temperature, moisture, food, often relating to seasonal climate changes. Acclimatization usually occurs in a short time, and within one organism's lifetime. This may be a discrete occurrence or may instead represent part of a periodic cycle.

Acidity-fishing-The degree of sourness of a usually water soluble substance. The quantitative capacity of a water or water solution to neutralize an alkali or base. It is usually measured by titration with a standard solution of sodium hydroxide, and expressed in ppm or mg/L of its calcium carbonate equivalent. Acidity is measured in pH, with 7 being neutral and 2 being a strong acid.

Action -gear/tackle-Measure of rod performance that describes the elapse time between flexion and return to straight configuration, ranges from slow to fast, with slow being the most amount of flexion. Also refers to the strength of the rod (light, meduim and heavy) with light being a limber rod and a heavy stout rod. The movement of a lure due to its built-in properties. .

Active Fish -fishing-Fish that are feeding heavily and striking aggressively.

Adipose Fin -fish-On some species the fatty fin located between the dorsal and tail fin.

Affluent-fishing-A stream or river that flows into a larger one. Also known as a Tributary.

Air Bladder -fish-A tough walled gas filled sac in the upper part of the body cavity of many bony fish just beneath the vertebral column; its principal function is to offset the weight of heavier tissue such as bone. Used in some fish for sound production or respiration.

Alewife -fish-A food fish belonging to the herring family.

Algae -fishing-Simple plant organisms. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves.

Alkalinity -fishing-Measure of the amount of acid neutralizing bases. A measure of the ability of a solution to neutralize acids to the equivalence point of carbonate or bicarbonate. Alkalinity is closely related to the acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of a solution and ANC is often incorrectly used to refer to alkalinity. The alkalinity is equal to the stoichiometric sum of the bases in solution.

Alley -fishing-An opening between patches of emergent weeds; also the parallel space separating emergent weeds and the shoreline.

Amateur -fishing-Fisherman who is less experienced than his partner. Normally a term used in Pro/Am style tournaments.

Ambloplites rupestris -fish-Latin name for Rock Bass

Amp - Amperes -fishing-Measure of electrical current. A measure of the amount of electric charge passing a point per unit time. Around 6.242 × 1018 electrons passing a given point each second constitutes one ampere. (Since electrons have negative charge, they flow in the opposite direction to the conventional current.)

Amp Hour -fishing-Storage capacity measurement of a deep-cycle batter obtained by multiplying the current flow in amps by the hours that it's produced.

Anadromous -fishing-Fish that hatch in rivers or streams, migrate to a lake or ocean to grow and mature, and migrate back to the river to spawn and reproduce.

Anal Fin -fish-The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.

Anchor buoy -gear/tackle-Usually a red plastic ball of at least 24 inches in diameter, with a large ring attached. Hook the ring on the anchor rope and heave the buoy overboard. Drive the boat upwind or up current. The anchor is pulled up quickly to the buoy using horsepower instead of human power.

Angler -fishing-Person using pole or rod and reel to catch fish.

Angling -fishing-Usually refers to the recreational catching of fish by means of hook and line.

Annelids -fishing-Members of the phylum Annelida, a group of worm-like invertebrates whose bodies consist of a series of rings or segments (e.g., earthworms, leeches).

Anti-reverse - gear/tackle -System that prevents reels from spinning in reverse.

Arbor - gear/tackle -The size of the spool of a fly reel. "Large arbor" reels have large-diameter spools, which helps prevent a fly line from curling.

Artificial Baits - gear/tackle -Lures or flies made of wood, plastic, metal, feathers, or similar inert material.

Artificial Reef -fishing- Any material sunk offshore for the express purpose of attracting fish. Old boats, concrete culverts, metal pipe, the list is endless. Most states now require a permit before dumping because non-practical material was being used, objects that rusted quickly, polluted or were a hazard to shrimpnets.

Backlash -fishing- A tangle of line caused by spool overrun on a baitcasting reel. Also referred to as birds nest or spaghetti.

Back-boat-fishing-When a pro in the front of the boat fishes all the good spots and maneuvers the boat so that his co-angler gets to fish little or no productive water, this is called "back-boating."

Backing - gear/tackle -Thin, strong string that is attached to a fly reel to fill up the spool before attaching the fly line.

Backwater -fishing- A Shallow body of water off a river a that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam or other obstruction; a remote place; somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat.

Baetis -fishing-A small gray swimming-type mayfly. They live in moderate-to-fast current, usually on rocks or gravel, but also on aquatic plants or submerged woody debris.

Bag-fishing-A "bag" refers to how much weight of fish an angler has in his weigh-in bag, which is used to carry bass from the boat to the weigh-in scales. Example: "I had a 25-pound bag today." A bag may or may not be a full limit. An antiquated synonym is "stringer."

Bag Limit -fishing-Restriction in the number of fish that an angler may retain, generally on a per trip or daily basis.

Bail - gear/tackle -Metal, semi-circular arm on an open-face spinning reel that engages the line after a cast.

Bail arm- gear/tackle -On a spinning reel, the lever determines the direction of the spool.

Baitcasting - gear/tackle -A revolving-spool reel and baitcasting rod; reel mounted on topside of rod.

Baitfish -fishing-Small fish often eaten by predators.

Balanced- gear/tackle -A term used to describe the proper combination of rod, reel line, and leader.

Balao -fishing- Pronounced "bally-hoo," this is the popular offshore bait used for trolling, most often for billfish. The bait of choice for sailfish for many years. A pricey bait when used for other saltwater species.

Ball bearings - gear/tackle - Small metal balls added to the mechanical mechanism of high-quality reels to make the retrieve smoother. Normally the more ball bearings a reel has the higher quality.

Balsa - gear/tackle -A large, fast-growing tree that can grow up to 98’ tall, native to South America north to southern Mexico. The name balsa derives from Spanish for a raft. Despite being very soft, balsa is classified as a hardwood, and is the softest commercial hardwood. This wood is very soft and light with a coarse open grain. The density of dry balsa wood ranges from 100–200 kg/m³ (6.24-12.49 lb/ft³), with a typical density of about 140 kg/m³ (8.74 lb/ft³) (about one third the density of other hard woods). It is also a very popular material to use when making wooden crankbaits, as it is low density but high in strength, yet highly buoyant for great lure action.

Bank-fishing-Where land and water meet, but also can extend under the water line.

Bar -fishing-Long ridge in a body of water.

Barb- gear/tackle -The nick on the point of a hook. It is intended to keep the hook from backing out of a fish's mouth after it has been hooked.

Basic Needs -fishing-Refers to the three survival requirements of fish: reproduction, security, and food.

Basiobranchial-fishing-The small bones behind the tongue on which the gill arches articulate.

Bay -fishing-Major indentation in the shoreline of a lake or reservoir.

Beads - gear/tackle - Glass, or plastic beads added to a Carolina Rig to enhance the noise, and protect the knot.

Beds -fishing-Circular areas in the lake bottom that bass clear out in which to lay their eggs during the spawn. "The bass are on the beds" refers to the fish actively spawning.

Bell sinkers - gear/tackle -Sinkers shaped like a bell, which are normally used on a Carolina Rig. Also known as casting sinkers.

Benthic -fishing-The benthic zone is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean or a lake, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. Organisms living in this zone are called benthos. They generally live in close relationship with the substrate bottom; many such organisms are permanently attached to the bottom. The superficial layer of the soil lining the given body of water is an integral part of the benthic zone, as it influences greatly the biological activity which takes place there. Examples of contact soil layers include sand bottoms, rock outcrops, coral and mud.

Billfish -fishing-Any of several species of pelagic fish, including sailfish, spearfish, blue, black or white marlin, and swordfish.

Biology -fishing-The science that studies all living organisms.

Biomass -fishing-The aggregate amount of living matter or a specific species within a specific habitat. The total number of a specific species in a specific habitat.

Bite-fishing-When a fish takes or touches a bait so that the fisherman feels it. Also is known among anglers as a hit, bump, or a strike.

Black Bass -fish- Term used to describe several types of bass; the most common being smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass.

Blade- gear/tackle -A Slang name for a spinnerbait as well as a part of a spinnerbait.

Blank - gear/tackle -The main component of a finished rod, minus the guides and handle.

Blast-off-fishing-When all the boats start the day by pushing their outboards to full throttle to "blast off"; and where all the boats take off.

Blind-cast-fishing-A term for casting to areas as opposed to visible targets.

Blood knot - gear/tackle - A knot used to tie two pieces of tippet together -- also known as a barrel knot.

Blowdowns-fishing-Shoreline trees that have fallen, or been "blown down," into a lake. These areas are good bass habitat.

Blue Bird Skies -fishing-A term used to describe bright, sunny, blue skies that often makes for tougher angling conditions.

Bluff-fishing-Vertical, often sheer, rock along the shore.

Boil-fishing-Used to describe the sound a bass makes at the surface. Usually used when a bass is going after a topwater lure, but can be used anytime a fish is at the top.

Bottom fish -fishing-Fish that spend most of their lives on bottom, such as cod, snapper, and grouper.

Brackish -fishing-Water of intermediate salinity between seawater and freshwater.

Braided channel -fishing-Usually found on freestone rivers, braided channels are ever-changing smaller channels that together constitute the course of the entire river.

Brass - gear/tackle -Materials used to manufacture several products in the marine industry since it resists corrosion. Also refers to sinkers made of brass, which are harder and noisier that typical lead sinkers.

Break -fishing-Distinct variation in otherwise constant stretches of cover, structure, or bottom type.

Breakline -fishing-A line of abrupt change in depth, bottom type, or water clarity in the feature of otherwise uniform structure.

Brushline -fishing-The inside or the outside edge of a stretch of brush.

Brushpile-fishing-Usually refers to a mass of small- to medium-sized tree limbs lying in the water. Brush piles may be only one or two feet across, or they may be extremely large and they may be visible or submerged. They can be created by Mother Nature or manmade. They usually hold fish. And fishermen.

Brook trout -fish-Actually a member of the char family, brook trout are often small in size and populate small streams. Brook trout have a greenish body with "squiggly" markings, orange and black spots, and orange fins with a white stripe on the anterior side.

Bucketmouth -fishing-Largemouth Bass - A black bass, body green-shaded with a broad, continuous dark stripe along each side, belly white to yellowish, dorsal fin almost completely separated between spiny and soft portion and lower jaw extends past the gold-colored eye. Also called bigmouth bass, green trout, green bass.

Bullet Sinker - gear/tackle -A cone shaped piece of lead, zinc or steel of varying weights that slides up and down the line.

Bumping-fishing-The act of making a lure hit an object such as a log, tree, or pier piling in a controlled manner. This is often done unintentionally, but can get the same reaction from the fish. Also, a lure making contact with the bottom.

Bump-troll -fishing-Keeping a trolled bait mostly in one spot, by pointing the boat into the current/wind and "bumping" the engines in and out of gear, to hold position.

Burn, Burning-fishing-Reeling a bait, usually a spinnerbait, as fast as you can crank the reel handle so the bait "burns" through the water.

Buzzbait - gear/tackle -An artificial lure with propeller-style blades that stirs up the water surface upon retrieve; a type of topwater lure.

Buzzing -fishing-Retrieving spinnerbaits or buzzbaits along the surface so they disturb the surface of the water.

Bycatch -fishing- Non-targeted sea life caught by commercial fishermen. Tuna longlines have a bycatch of turtles or mahi-mahi, for instance. Shrimp nets have a bycatch of at least a hundred species of fish and crab, discarded overboard.

Cabbage -fishing-Any of several species of weeds, located above the surface or underwater.

Caddis -fishing-A general name for the dozens of subspecies of caddis flies found in trout streams all over the world. Also known as a "sedge," they are characterized by a tent-like wing. Caddis have four stages of development, from egg to larva to pupa to adult.

Carolina Rig- gear/tackle -A style of terminal tackle normally used to keep a lure a foot or two (or more) off the bottom. This is most commonly used with a plastic worm, but is also used with floating crankbaits and other lures as well. A barrel slip sinker of 1/2- to 1-ounce is first slipped on the line and then a swivel is tied to the end of the line. A piece of line 18 to 30 inches long is then tied to the other end of the swivel and a hook or lure is tied to the end of this piece line. Rigged Texas style (weedless with the hook buried in the body of the bait), the combination is excellent for ledges, points, sandbars, and humps.

Cast-fishing-The act of imparting energy to a rod in such a way that the line and leader project bait or lure to a target some distance away.

Cast net - gear/tackle -A circular net thrown by hand. The outer perimeter is lined with lead weights. Great for catching shrimp and baitfish.

Catch and Release-fishing-The practice of releasing all fish caught with a rod unharmed. It is based on a value that the experience is more important than keeping fish.

CPR -fishing-Catch, Photograph, Release.

Canal -fishing-A man made channel or waterway used for navigation. There are two types of canals: water conveyance canals, which are used for the conveyance and delivery of water, and waterways which are navigable transportation canals used for passage of goods and people, often connected to existing lakes, rivers or oceans.

Canoe - gear/tackle -A light, long, narrow boat with sharp ends and curved sides propelled by hand-driven paddles.

Centipede - gear/tackle -Four-inch straight plastic worm used for Carolina rigs.

Channel -fishing-The physical confine of a river, slough or ocean strait consisting of a bed and banks. A channel is also the natural or man-made deeper course through a reef, bar, bay, or any shallow body of water. It is especially used as a nautical term to mean the dredged and marked lane of safe travel which a cognizant governmental entity guarantees to have a minimum depth across its specified minimum width to all vessels transiting a body of water.

Char -fish-A trout-like species of fish whose subspecies include brook trout, Dolly Vardens, and arctic char, among others.

Charger - gear/tackle -Device used to charge the boaters trolling motor batteries.

Chugger - gear/tackle -Topwater plug with a dished-out (concave or "cupped") head designed to make a splash when pulled sharply.

Chum -fishing-Chopped up fish, shellfish or even animal parts (for sharks), dropped overboard to attract gamefish.

Chum bag - gear/tackle -A mesh bag left hanging overboard, filled with chum. Trollers sometimes drag the bag alongside the boat. Smaller bags can be trolled deep while attached to downrigger balls.

Chunk - gear/tackle -Plastic or pork trailer commonly used on jigs.

Cigar minnows -fishing-A yellow-tailed member of the scad family, sold most often as frozen bait in five-pound boxes, caught along the Florida Panhandle. Widely regarded for their firm texture and appeal to offshore fish. Cigar minnows can also be caught on tiny fly hooks, called Sabiki Rigs.

Circle Hook- gear/tackle -Hooks designed to reduce mortality in fish by lessening the chance of gut hooking a fish.

Cisco -fish-Any of several whitefish found primarily in the Great Lakes region.

Clacker - gear/tackle -A metal device added to certain brand buzzbait in order to make additional noise.

Clarity-fishing-Refers to the depth you are able to see an object (such as your lure) under the water.

Clevis - gear/tackle -The swivel device to which a spinner blade is attached and which allows the blade to rotate.

Clinch knot - gear/tackle -One of 4-5 very useful knots. Very simple to tie, yet very strong.

Clown - gear/tackle - A color typically used mostly in hard jerkbait like Rogues. Consists of chrome body, with chartreuse back, and red head or face.

Co-angler-fishing-A co-angler is the angler who fishes from the back of the boat. Also known as a non-boater, back-seater or, increasingly rarely, an amateur as in "pro-am" tournaments. Co-anglers compete against each other, not the pros (aka, boaters or "front-seaters"), and are often there to learn. An important function of a co-angler is to be a "referee" of sorts in that he is obligated under tournament rules to report any illegal, unethical or unsporting behavior on the part of his pro partner. The term "co-angler" was coined by FLW Outdoors.

Coastal pelagic -fishing-An offshore fish that migrates along the coastline, but isn't a true, ocean-going pelagic. Examples are kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cobia.

Cold Front -fishing-A weather condition accompanied by high, clear skies, and a sudden drop in temperature.

Colorado - gear/tackle -Blade design used in spinnerbaits. Gives out a strong vibration. Blades are circular shaped.

Contact Point -fishing-The deepest position on structure where a bass angler can first effectively present his lure to bass as they migrate from deep water.

Controlled Drift-fishing-The act of using an electric motor, drift sock, or oars to allow a drift to be accomplished at a certain speed and/or direction.

Coontail -fishing-Submerged aquatic plant of the hornwort family typically found in hard water; charactreized by stiff, forked leaves.

Cosmic Clock -fishing-The sun's seasonal effect on water and weather conditions relating to barometric pressure, wind, and cloud cover.

Count It Down-fishing-Timing a sinking lure to determine when it will reach a specified depth. This is accomplished by finding the rate of sinking of a lure in feet-per-second. Often used when going after suspended fish.

Cove -fishing-An indentation along a shoreline.

Cover -fishing-Natural or manmade objects on the bottom of lakes, rivers, or impoundments, especially those that influence fish behavior. Examples include stick-ups, tree lines, stumps, rocks, logs, pilings, docks, and weed patches.

Crankbait - gear/tackle -A plug with a lip that causes it to dive. The bigger the lip, the deeper it dives.

Crawfish - gear/tackle - Small fresh water crustaceans similar to lobsters only smaller. A favorite food of bass. Also describes a reddish color used in all sorts of lures.

Creek -fishing-A natural stream of water usually small in size and often a tributary of a river.

Creel limit -fishing-The number of fish an angler can keep as set by local or state regulations.

Crimp sleeve - gear/tackle -A metal tube, thin as two wire leaders together. When attaching wire or very heavy mono leader to a hook, one should use the crimp sleeve. A special, plier-like tool crimps the sleeve tight.

Cross chop -fishing- Wind-driven waves and ocean swell colliding from two directions. Also caused by waves bouncing off a seawall and going back out, colliding with incoming waves.

Culling -fishing- Refers to releasing a smaller fish when you have a limit and have now caught a larger fish that will weed out one of the smaller ones.

Cut -fishing-A narrow body of water cutting through land. For instance, a boat cut gouged through a barrier island, for boater access.

Cut bait -fishing-Fish cut into chunks to fit the hook.

Cuttbow -fish-a rainbow/cutthroat hybrid, the cuttbow has both the rainbow's stripe and a cutthroat's "slash" under its jaw.

Cutthroat Trout -fish-A native to many Rocky Mountain rivers, the cutthroat has a crimson "slash" under its jaw and black spots concentrated near the tail.

Cutting board - gear/tackle -Plywood surrounded by a lip of wood, sealed and painted. Or just an old piece of plywood. Used for cutting bait, and preventing knife cuts on expensive boat gunnels.

DEC -fishing-Department of Enviromental Conservation.

DNR -fishing-Department of Natural Resources.

Dabbling-fishing-Working a lure up and down in the same spot a dozen or more times in a bush or beside a tree.

Dead water-fishing-Slang term for water that harbors no bass in a particular tournament. On any lake or river, "dead water" during one time of the year might be the opposite in another time of year.

Delta -fishing-A delta is a landform that is created at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Deltas are formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river as the flow leaves the mouth of the river. Over long periods of time, this deposition builds the characteristic geographic pattern of a river delta.

Depthfinder - gear/tackle -A sonar device, either a flasher unit or LCR recorder, used to read the bottom structure, determine depth, and in some cases actually spot the fish; also called a fishfinder.

Dink -fishing-Bass not long enough to meet state fisheries regulations or tournament standards. Typically less than 14 inches.

Disgorger - gear/tackle -Device for removing hooks deeply embedded in the throat of fish.

Diurnal-fishing-Having a period or cycle of approximately one tidal day. Active during daylight hours.

Do-nothing rig - gear/tackle -Western, clear water technique generally applied in deep water and on light line. Consists of main line with a small brass sinker, then a bead, and light wire hook. Baits are usually small 4-inch worms. The rig is dropped to desired depth and then just slightly jiggled or left to "do nothing."

Dock lines - gear/tackle -Ropes used to moor the boat.

Dorsal Fin -fish-A median fin along the back which is supported by rays. There may be two or more dorsal fins, in which case the most anterior one is designated the first.

Double-tapered fly line - gear/tackle -A fly line that is thicker on both ends and thinner in the middle. Double-tapered fly lines can be switched around as one end becomes worn.

Downrigger- gear/tackle -A mechanical device that uses larger weights to get lures or bait down to a specific depth and keep it there.

Downrigger ball - gear/tackle -Cannonball-shaped device with a fin, used to keep a trolled bait far beneath the boat.

Drag - gear/tackle -The device on reels that puts pressure on the line as it plays out and prevents the line from breaking.

Dredging -fishing-Retrieving a crankbait so that it continually digs or dredges up the bottom. This causes reflex strikes from fish.

Drift anchor - gear/tackle -Used most commonly in windy areas, by fishermen who drift all day. This anchor is more of an underwater kite that slows the boat's drift in order to thoroughly fish a productive area.

Drift boat -fishing-A river craft ranging between 14 and 18 feet long with a flat bottom, upswept prow and rigid hull.

Drift current-fishing-A broad, shallow, slow-moving ocean or lake current.

Drift -fishing-Drifting along with the wind and tide, casting repeatedly. Anglers working the grass flats off Florida, for instance, make one drift after another all day. Catch a few fish, and toss a buoy, to make an accurate drift through the same area. If Saturday crowds threaten to overwhelm the buoyed area, use a GPS to mark the spot for return.

Drift sock - gear/tackle -A large sock shaped like airport wind socks. This is dropped over the side of the boat to help control the boat in rough water.

Drop-Off -fishing-A sudden increase in depth, associated with a flat, point, gulley washes, small creek channels, land points, and the general lay of the land.

Drop Shot- gear/tackle -A hook tied directly to the line from four-inches to four-feet above the sinker. The hook is attached from the back side or opposite the point, with a simple Palomar knot with a tag end about four or five feet long. The weight hangs and the hook is at a 90-degree angle to the line with the hook point up. The hook can be 18 to 24 inches above a bell sinker tied on with a slip-knot.

Dropper Line- gear/tackle -A line in addition to the main line, which contains a hook. Dropper lines are usually attached to the main line.

Dry fly -fishing-A pattern designed to imitate an adult insect, floating on top of the water.

Dubbing -fishing-A wrapping to thicken the body of a fly, made by rubbing ground-up muskrat fur, rabbit fur or other substance onto a waxed thread.

EPA -fishing-Environmental Protection Agency. A federal agency created in 1970 to permit coordinated and effective governmental action, for protection of the environment by the systematic abatement and control of pollution, through integration of research monitoring, standard setting, and enforcement activities.

Ecology -fishing-The branch of biology dealing with the relationship between organisms and their environment.

Eddy -fishing-A river feature that forms just downstream of an obstruction. An eddy can form on the side of a river or immediately after a boulder in a river. The water in an eddy is calm or flowing in the opposite direction from the rest of the river and can at times be swirling and violent.

Edge-fishing-The borders created by a change in the structure or vegetation in a lake. Some examples of edges are tree lines, weed lines, and the edge of a drop-off.

Egg weight - gear/tackle -Egg-shaped lead weights of various sizes, with a hole drilled through the center. When a bottom fish runs with the bait, the line slides through the weight's hole, allowing little resistance and fooling the fish.

Electronics - gear/tackle -Commonly refers to the depth finders, and fish locaters used by anglers.

Eliminate-fishing-To rule out an unproductive pattern or unproductive area of a lake, usually the hard way (by trial and error), but sometimes by map study.

Emerger -fishing-Pertaining to aquatic insects, the name used to describe that time frame when the nymph reaches the surface and the adult hatches out; the emerging nymph may well be the single most important nymph phase for the fly fishers to imitate.

Esox lucius -fish-Latin name for Northern Pike

Esox masquinongy -fish-Latin name for Muskellunge

Estuary-fishing-An estuary is a body of water formed where freshwater from rivers and streams flows into the ocean, mixing with the seawater. Estuaries and the lands surrounding them are places of transition from land to sea, and from freshwater to saltwater. Although influenced by the tides, estuaries are protected from the full force of ocean waves, winds, and storms by the reefs, barrier islands or fingers of land, mud, or sand that surround them.

Euthrophic-fishing-Highly fertile waters characterized by warm, shallow basins.

Eutrophic -fishing-A classification of geologically "old" bodies of water with weed-choked, oxygen-poor water which can only support fish such as bullheads and carp.

Eye- gear/tackle -The loop at the end of a hook shank.

Eyelets - gear/tackle -The eyelets, line guides or rings on a rod through which line is passed.

Falldown (or Laydown) -fishing-A tree that has fallen into the water.

Fancast -fishing-A systematic series of casts to a specific area of water.

Farm Pond -fishing-Small manmade body of water.

Fathom -fishing-Six feet of depth. Many nautical charts are marked in fathoms, not feet.

Feeder Creek -fishing-A tributary that runs into a larger stream, lake or river.

Feeding Cycle -fishing-Certain regular intervals during which fish satisfy their appetites. Examples: Major or Minor Solunar periods; sunrise, sunset.

Feeding Times-fishing-Certain times of the day when fish are most active. These are associated with the position of the sun and moon and are referred to as solunar tables (also called moon charts) and are predictable for any time and place. See Moon Times.

Ferrule - gear/tackle -The joint where different sections of a rod fit together.

Fiberglass - gear/tackle -Material used to make crankbait rods. Glass makes the rod less sensitive and more flexible, and reduces the chance of pulling a crankbait from a fish's mouth.

Filamentous Algae -fishing-Type of algae characterized by long chains of attached cells that give it a stringy feel and appearance.

Fillet -fishing-In fish, a slice of meat without bones, cut out for human consumption.

Finesse -fishing-An angling technique characterized by the use of light tackle - line, rods, reel and artificial baits (often tube worms, grubs, or other small-sized soft-plastic lures); often productive in clear, fairly uncluttered water.

Finfish -fishing-A term used to separate true fish from shellfish, crayfish, jellyfish, etc.

Fingerling -fishing-A young fish of about 10 cm length.

Fins -fishing-Folds of skin supported by cartilaginous tissue in elasmobranchs and by bony rays in bony fishes. Used for locomotion, display, and sometimes specialized functions such as fertilization.

Fire tiger - gear/tackle - Color scheme that involves a lure with green back, chartreuse sides, orange belly and black vertical lines on the sides.

Fish -fishing-Literally, a vertebrate (animal with a backbone) that has gills and lives in water, but generally used more broadly to include any harvestable animal living in water. Fishes refers to more than one type of fish; finfish refers to sharks, some rays and bony fishes, and scalefish refers to fish bearing scales .

Fish big-fishing-A lake "fishes big" if fish can be found in wide-ranging areas throughout a particular water body, and thus anglers and their boats for the most part won't be (or don't have to be) close to one another when angling.

Fish pass -fishing-A cut dredged through a barrier island, created to allow better fish traffic and tidal flushing.

Fish small-fishing- A lake "fishes small" when most of the fish, or the fish the anglers are finding, are concentrated in a few areas that are small relative to the total size of the water body.

Fisherman -fishing-One who engages in angling for sport or occupation.

Fishery -fishing-Term to describe the collective enterprise of taking fish, usually used in conjunction with reference to the species, gear or area involved.

Fish finder - gear/tackle -A sonar device, either a flasher unit or LCR recorder, used to read the bottom structure, determine depth, and in some cases actually spot the fish; also called a Depth Finder.

Fishhook - gear/tackle -A barbed or barbless hook used for catching fish.

Fish Ladder -fishing-A series of pools arranged like steps that fish utilize to move upstream over a dam.

Fish On! -fishing-A shout that indicates the angler has hooked a fish, as in "a fish is on the line".

Fishout -fishing-To exhaust the supply of fish in a body of water.

Fishway -fishing-A contrivance that allows fish to pass around a dam.

Flat -fishing-A bottom that does not change more than a couple feet in depth. The flat can be near the shore or far away from it. A topo map shows the contour lines very far apart.

Flies - gear/tackle -Artificial imitations of the aquatic and terrestrial insects found in and near trout streams. Flies are tied of many and various materials, such as feathers, fur, thread, tinsel, and even space-age materials. Patterns imitating minnows, baitfish and other fish and crustacean species are also called "flies."

Flight-fishing-Launches (aka, blast-offs) and check-ins are split into segments called "flights" to facilitate orderly starts and check-ins.

Flipping -fishing-Basically a long-rod technique where a lure, such as a jig or worm, is dropped - rather than cast - into heavy cover at close range. Also called "Flippin'."

Flipping Stick - gear/tackle -Heavy action rod, 7 to 8 feet long, designed for bass angling.

Floating -fishing-To transverse a river or stream by some type of watercraft while angling, most commonly in a tube, raft, canoe, or kayak.

Float tube - gear/tackle -A one-man floatation device for lake and slow river angling that looks like an inner tube covered with a cloth mesh liner, seat, and back rest.

Floating worm - gear/tackle -Plastic worm used to catch spawning bass that actually floats on top of the water. Common colors include pink, yellow, and sherbert.

Florida Rig- gear/tackle -Very similar to the Texas Rig, the only difference is the weight is secured by "screwing" it into the bait.

Floss -fishing-Material for tying flies.

Fluorocarbon -fishing-New style of line that is often invisible below the water's surface.

Fly - gear/tackle -A hand-tied artificial lure made of various material tied to a hook.

Fly bridge -fishing-A permanent, raised steering cabin or platform on bigger boats. On the big offshore charter boats, the captain stays up on the flying bridge all day, while the deckhands below move about, catching the fish.

Fly Dope -fishing-A dressing that makes artificial flies water resistant so they float.

Fly-fishing-A method that utilizes an artificial fly, a long flexible rod, a reel, and line.

Fly 'N Rind-fishing-Same thing as jig-and-pig - a combination of a leadhead jig and pork rind trailer.

Fly Rod- gear/tackle -A light springy rod used to fly fish.

Flytier -fishing-One who makes his own artificial flies.

FLW-fishing-This stands for Forrest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats and one of the people who made bass angling what it is today. Wood was one of the first people to be elected to the Professional Bass Hall of Fame in Hot Springs, Ark. The FLW Tour, named after Wood, was started by Irwin Jacobs who bought and expanded Operation Bass (now named FLW Outdoors) and owns Ranger Boats.

Foot- gear/tackle -The part of the reel that attaches the rod and reel

Forage -fishing-Something eaten; the act of eating.

Forage Fish-fishing-all fish which breed prolifically and serve as food for predatory fish.

French fry - gear/tackle -Soft-plastic worm about 4 inches long. Resembles a crinkle-cut French fry. Used often on Carolina Rigs.

Freshwater -fishing-In a broad sense 'freshwater' is used for all continental aquatic systems such as rivers and lakes. In a technical sense it refers to water with less than 0.5 grams per liter of total dissolved mineral salts.

Frog - gear/tackle -Soft, tough plastic lure that swims on top of the water. Often used in thick, scummy areas.

Front -fishing-Weather system that causes changes in temperature, cloud cover, precipitation, wind and barometric pressure.

Game fish-fishing-A fish that is regulated by law for recreational harvest.

Gape-fishing-To open the mouth wide. In Zoological terms, it means the measurement of the widest possible opening of a mouth.

Gaff - gear/tackle -A steel hook of varying sizes, mounted on a pole or stick, used for snagging worn-out fish that have been played to boatside by fishermen.

Gear -fishing-Any tools used to catch fish, such as hook and line, nets, traps, spears, etc.

Gear Ratio - gear/tackle -Measure of a reels' retrieve speed; the number of times the spool revolves for each complete turn of the handle.

Gill -fish-Respiratory organ of many aquatic animals; a filamentous outgrowth well supplied with blood vessels at which gas exchange between water and blood occurs.

Gill Arch -fish-Bony or cartilaginous arches in the throat of fish to which the filaments and rakers of the gills are attached. Bony fish usually have four gill arches.

Gill Opening -fish-An opening behind the head that connects the gill chamber to the exterior. Bony fishes have a single such opening on each side whereas cartilaginous fishes (sharks and rays) have five to seven. The gill opening of sharks and rays are called gill slits.

Glaciated -fishing-Subject to or borne (created) by previous glacial activity.

GPS - gear/tackle -Global Positioning Satellite, device used to accurately determine your location within feet. Handy for finding your way on unfamiliar lakes.

Graphite -fishing-Material used to make rods. Good conductor thus graphite rods are sensitive.

Grass -fishing-Vegetation catch-all phrase. Refers to green plants growing in the water. Bass are attracted to the grass, which is home to prey.

Grayline- gear/tackle -Grayline lets you distinguish between strong and weak echoes on a fish finder. It "paints" gray on targets that are stronger than a preset value. This allows you to tell the difference between a hard and soft bottom. For example, a soft, muddy or weedy bottom returns a weaker symbol which is shown with a narrow or no gray line. A hard bottom returns a strong signal which causes a wide gray line.

Grub - gear/tackle -A short, plastic type of worm usually rigged with a weighted jig hook.

Guides- gear/tackle -The loops on a rod through which the line runs.

Habitat -fishing-The natural environment where animals and plants live.

Hackle -fishing-The series of extended fibers right behind the eye of a fly. The hackle is what allows a dry fly to float.

Hard Bottom -fishing-River bottoms composed of firm or hard material such as rock, sand, gravel, or clay.

Hawg -fishing-A slang term used to describe a very large bass.

Healthy stock-fishing-A stock of fish experiencing production levels consistent with its available habitat and within the natural variations in survival for the stock.

Helicoptering-fishing-When cast, air-resistant baits such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits can catch air and spin ("helicopter"), causing casting distance to be compromised.

Holding Area -fishing-Structure that habitually holds three to five catchable bass.

Holding Station -fishing-Place on lake where inactive fish spend most of their time.

Hone -fishing-To sharpen hooks or knives with a stone.

Honey Hole -fishing-A slang term used to describe a specific hole or an area containing big fish and/or a high number of fish.

Hook- gear/tackle -A single, double or treble pointed hook. A hook, single, double or treble pointed and attached to a manufactured artificial lure shall be counted as 1 hook.

Horizontal Movement-fishing-The distance a fish moves while remaining at the same depth.

Horse-fishing-To "horse" a fish into the boat is to reel it in as quickly as possible. This is the technique tournament anglers use in most cases because it decreases the chance of the fish getting free, and maximizes the fish's chance of survival by not letting it tire. Horsing a fish also gets a fish out of cover quickly, which decreases the chances of it breaking off (the line breaking).

Hula grub - gear/tackle -Soft plastic curly-tailed grub, with a soft skirt type feature at the head of the grub.

Hump -fishing-An underwater island that generally rises gradually. On a topographical (topo) map, a hump will be signified by contour lines that make a circle, oval, or other similar shape.

Husbandry-fishing-The scientific management and control of the hatchery environment for the production of fish or wildlife.

Hydrology (Hydrologic) -fishing-The science that deals with the distribution, properties, and circulation of water on land surface, in the soil, underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere.

IGFA -fishing-International Game Fish Association

Ichthyology -fishing-The science dealing with the study of fish.

Improved clinch knot - gear/tackle -The suggested knot for tying a fly to the leader or tippet.

Inactive Fish -fishing-Bass that are in a non-feeding mood. Examples of typically inactive times: following a cold front; during a major weather change that causes a sudden rise or fall in water temperature, or when a lake level is abruptly lowered.

Indiana blade - gear/tackle - Refers to a teardrop shaped blade used on spinnerbaits.

Inlet -fishing- A natural pass between ocean and bay. Unjettied inlets are more hazardous to boat traffic, because of shifting sandbars that can be a hazard.Most inlets are now jettied with granite rocks, to protect against erosion and to save dredging costs.

Inside Bend-fishing-The inside line of a grass bed or a creek channel.

Inshore -fishing- A nebulous term that means perhaps within sight of land. "Let's head inshore" means moving the boat from offshore back towards land.

Isolated Structure -fishing-A possible holding spot for fish; examples include a single bush on a point; a midlake hump, or a large tree that has fallen into the water.

Jerk bait - gear/tackle -Plugs that move with no built-in action of their own. Any action comes from the fisherman's maneuvering the rod and line.

Jetties -fishing-Granite boulders used to protect coastal inlets and passes from sand erosion. An inlet protected by jetties is much safer for boating traffic. The rocks attract many species of coastal fish.

Jig - gear/tackle -A hook with a leadhead that is usually dressed with hair, silicone, or plastic.

Jigging-fishing-Using a rod and reel in such a way as to present artificial lures in short, jerking motions.

Jig ‘n Pig - gear/tackle -A jig supplemented with a pork rind trailer.

Jitterbug - gear/tackle -Old wooden body topwater lure with large metal lip. Makes a gurgle-type commotion when retrieved.

Jump off-fishing-A fish "jumps off" when it jumps out of the water, shakes its head and frees itself of the hook. This most commonly happens with treble-hooked baits, which typically are the hardest and heaviest baits used by bass anglers.

Kayak- gear/tackle -A portable boat styled after the Eskimo kayak with a small opening in the center and propelled with a double-bladed paddle.

Keel guard-fishing-Handy device that is glued to the keel of a bass boat, so that it can be beached without damage to the bottom of the boat.

Keeper -fishing-Any fish that conforms to a specific minimum length limit established by the state fisheries department.

Kentucky (Spotted) Bass-fishing-A black bass with a patch of teeth on its tongue.

Kicker-fishing-A "kicker fish" is a larger bass that kicks a competitor's weight up significantly. For example, a pro might weigh-in four 2-pound "keepers" and one 6-pound "kicker."

Lagoon-fishing-Found mostly in the Pacific, lagoons are shallow, protected areas usually ringed by coral reef.

Lake Modification Sources-fishing-Elements that change bodies of water, such as ice action, wave action, and erosion.

Lake Zones-fishing-Designation that includes four categories: shallow water, open water, deep water, and basin.

Largemouth Bass -fish-A black bass, body green-shaded with a broad, continuous dark stripe along each side, belly white to yellowish, dorsal fin almost completely separated between spiny and soft portion and lower jaw extends past the gold-colored eye. Also called bigmouth bass, Green Trout, Green Bass, Bucketmouth.

Larva -fishing-Refers to the subsurface stage of development of an aquatic insect.

Launch-fishing-when all the boats are in the water; or when boats are "taking off" or "blasting off" or the area where the boats are waiting to take off; or it is another word for the boat ramp, the concrete ramp that descends into the water where boats are launched.

Laydown (or Falldown) -fishing-A tree that has fallen into the water.

Leader - gear/tackle -The piece of clear, tapered monofilament line attached to the fly line, usually between six and 15 feet long.

Leadhead - gear/tackle -Bare leadhead jig that is normally used to rig a grub body onto.

Ledge -fishing-A severe drop-off. In my opinion, one that is anywhere from 75 - 90 degrees in angle and lasts more than 20 vertical feet. On a topo map, the contour lines will look as if they are touching each other.

Leech -fishing-A bloodsucking worm that trout love to eat.

Lepomis macrochirus -fish-Latin name for Bluegill .

Light Intensity -fishing-The amount of light that can be measured at certain depths of water; the greater the intensity, the farther down the light will project. This measurement can be significantly affected by wind conditions and water clarity. In waters where light intensity is low, brightly colored lures are smart choices.

Limit-fishing-A "limit" refers to how many fish an angler is allowed to keep (alive) each day to weigh-in. Synonyms can sometimes include "bag" and "stringer," but both of those terms typically refer to weight (e.g., a 25-pound bag) that might not be a full limit.

Limnology-fishing-The study of lakes, ponds and streams.

Line capacity- gear/tackle -The amount or length of monofilament, which can fit on to the spool of a reel.

Line Guides - gear/tackle -- The eyelets or rings on a rod through which line is passed.

Lip-fishing-To "lip" a bass is to grab it by its lower jaw using and lift it into the boat. Bass have small teeth (they typically just suck in and swallow their prey) so all this does is slightly chafe a person's thumb, which grasps the inside of its mouth. Also, heavy fish (5 pounds or better) should not be held out of the water by their lower jaw as it can damage the jaw. A "lip" also is common way to refer to a plastic or metal diving plane on a crankbait.

Lipless Crankbaits - gear/tackle -Artificial baits designed to resemble a swimming baitfish. Such plugs vibrate and/or wobble during retrieve; some have built-in rattles. Also called swimming baits.

Live bait-fishing-Living fish, eels or worms used to entice prey.

Livewell -fishing-Compartment in a boat designed to keep fish alive.

Lizard - gear/tackle -Soft plastic lures similar to a salamder. Used for Carolina Rigs, in shallow water in the spring.

Logjam-fishing-A group of horizontal logs pushed together by wind or water flow to form an obstruction. In lakes, logjams are usually found close to shore and in the backs of coves.

Loose-Action Plug - gear/tackle -A lure with wide slow movements from side to side.

Low Spool Memory- gear/tackle -Most conventional nylon lines are so stiff with tension that they habitually take on the rounded form of the reel spool. This is known as "spool memory" and is responsible for most backlashes and "bird nests" in overhead reels, and for the "slinky coiling" of spinning reels.

Lunker -fishing-A slang term used to describe a very large bass.

Lure- gear/tackle - (noun, short for "artificial lure") An artificial lure is a lure made from hard or soft plastic, wood, metal or other material. It is designed to replicate a food item of a bass, or to trigger a bass into a "reaction strike.

Main-lake-fishing-Term used to distinguish the lake from its river or creek arms. Applies to reservoirs, or impoundments, which are dammed rivers.

Mangroves -fishing-The only trees that grow in salt water. Mangroves protect tropical coastlines from storm surges, and their extensive root system attracts a variety of shallow water gamefish.

Map study-fishing-The act of studying a topographical and/or aerial map of a water body before a tournament, typically far before arriving at the tournament site. In concert with their knowledge of seasonal patterns and fish movements, pro anglers can target good water and eliminate bad water before they even arrive at the tournament.

Marker Bouy - gear/tackle -a plastic bouy, usaually in a fluorescent color, that is tossed in the water to identify a fish holding area or a school of fish.

Matching the hatch-fishing-Choosing the fly pattern that imitates the insects that are hatching nearby.

Mayfly -fishing-The most beautiful of aquatic insects, the mayfly is characterized by an upswept wing and long, delicate two- or three-stranded tail. The mayfly goes through three stages -- egg, nymph, and adult -- then metamorphoses once again from a sub-imago adult to a spinner.

Mending -fishing-The act of lifting the fly line off the water and flipping it either upstream or downstream to eliminate drag and accomplish a more natural drift.

Merging currents -fishing-A dead spot of calm water created where two currents come together.

Mesotrophic -fishing-Lake classification describing middle-aged bodies of water between oligotrophic (young) and eutrophic (old) classifications. A body of water having a moderate amount of dissolved nutrients.

Metalimnion -fishing-The middle or transitional zone between the well mixed epilimnion and the colder hypolimnion layers in a stratified lake. This layer contains the thermocline but is loosely defined depending on the shape of the temperature profile.

Micropterus Dolomieui -fish-The Latin term for Smallmouth Bass.

Micropterus Salmoides -fish-The Latin term for Largemouth Bass.

Migration Route -fishing-The path followed by bass when moving from one area to another.

Milfoil -fishing-A common name for submerged aquatic plant from the Myriophyllum species. Known as a invasive plant species.

Milk Run-fishing-Used to describe an angler trying a series of spots in a tournament day. The angler makes a "milk run" from one spot to another.

Minnow -fishing-Any of several small fish less than a specific size and not considered gamefish.

Minnow Trap- gear/tackle -Minnow traps are cylindrical, double-ended wire or plastic mesh funnels that narrow in the middle. They work on the principle that a small fish will swim into the trap to find food and is unable to find the way out. Minnow traps are baited with a sticky mix of oatmeal or cornmeal rolled into a golf-ball-sized clump. The ball slowly breaks up providing fresh bait for long periods. Suspend the trap near a dock, on a stream, or at the head of a pool where the current slows.

Mono - gear/tackle -Short for monofilament.

Mono leader - gear/tackle -Leader made of monofilament. Mono leaders are of course heavier grade than the line on your reel. Standard mono leader for huge marlin, for instance, is 300-pound test, while line on the reel seldom exceeds 80-pound test.

Monofilament - gear/tackle -A single, untwisted, synthetic filament.

Moon Times-fishing-Four phases of the moon are usually what the fisherman is concerned with. Generally the "best times" in a month occur three days prior and three days after, and include the day of the new or full moon. First quarter and second quarter periods are considered as only "good times."

Nail knot - gear/tackle -The knot used to attach a leader to the fly line or to the butt section.

Nautical mile-fishing-Its length is 1852 meters (6076.115 feet), approximately 1.15 times as long as the statute mile of 5280 feet.

Natural lake-fishing-Term used to distinguish a naturally formed lake from man-made reservoirs.

Neoprene -fishing-The material that divers' wetsuits is made of. It is also a popular material for cold-weather waders.

Nest -fishing-The spot in a river or stream where the female bass deposits her eggs and the fry are guarded by the male.

Net - gear/tackle -Mesh fabric or nylon used to catch fish. Often used a sein or castnet to catch baitfish or hand net to scoop fish into a boat when agling. Certain regulations apply when using a net as far as size, handle length and mesh size when netting certain fish.

Nymph phase -fishing-The immature phase of an aquatic insect's life cycle that occurs underwater.

Off Color-fishing-Refers to the color and or clarity of the water. Brown is muddy like from rain runoff, greenish from algae and black from tannic acid are the normal off-color conditions.

Off-Limits-fishing-The time between pre-practice (of pre-fish) and the official practice when a lake is literally off-limits to all competitors. B.A.S.S. has an off-limits, but FLW doesn't.

Oligotrophic -fishing-Lake classification used to describe young bodies of water characterized by deep, clear, cold, weedless water which can support fish such as lake trout and whitefish.

Organizers - gear/tackle -Clear plastic tackle boxes that can be taken out or added to a boat or tackle bag. Example; Plano Stowaway boxes.

Our Hole-fishing-Proprietary term used by anglers to describe the area they intend to fish. (My hole, their hole, etc.) Though actually all holes are all angler's holes since the lakes being fished are mostly public water. It's only your hole if you get there first. Otherwise it's their hole.

Organic Baits -fishing-Minnows, insects, worms, fish eggs, cut bait, cheese, or similar substances placed on a hook and used as a lure.

Outside Bend-fishing-The outside line of a creek channel or grass bed can be considered on outside bend.

Overs-fishing-Pro angler slang for bass over the minimum length limit for a lake or tournament.

Overfishing -fishing-Applying an angling effort beyond which will generate a desirable, sustainable, or 'safe' population or stock level.

Oxbow -fishing-A U shaped bend in a river or stream.

PFD -fishing-Personal Floatation Device, aka, a life vest or life jacket.

pH -fishing-Concentration of Hydrogen ions (H+); a value used to express acidity and alkalinity. A pH of 7 is neutral, a pH of 2 is a strong acid and a pH of 12 is a strong alkali.

pH Meter -fishing-- Just as a thermometer measures heat and cold, a pH meter can be used to measure the acidity and alkalinity of water.

Pass -fishing-Same as an inlet, a natural water passage between the bays and ocean.

Pattern -fishing-A defined set of location and presentation factors that consistently produce fish.

Pawl - gear/tackle -The "clicker" mechanism inside a lower-end fly reel.

Pectoral Fin -fish-The fin usually found on each side of the body behind the gill opening; this pair of fins is found on the lower parts of the body in primitive forms of fish; corresponding to the forelimbs of higher vertebrates; united to form the disc in most rays.

Pegging-fishing-Putting a toothpick in the hole of a slip sinker to prevent the sinker from sliding along the line. Other items such as rubber bands slipped through the sinker have also become popular and don't snag line.

Pelvic Fins -fish-Pair of juxtaposed fins ventrally on the body in front of the anus; varies from abdominal in position in primitive fishes such as herrings to the more anterior locations termed thoracic or jugular in advanced fishes; sometimes called ventral fins.

Perca flavescens -fish-Latin name for Yellow Perch.

Piano wire - gear/tackle - Single-strand leader that closely resembles the wire inside your piano.

Pick-Up -fishing-The act of a bass taking a slowly fished lure, such as a plastic worm, crawfish or lizard.

Pike -fish-Fish of the Family Esocidae, Order Salmoniformes (salmons, pikes and smelts).

Pistol grip - gear/tackle -Rod featuring a short rubber or cork handle similar to that of a pistol. These type rods are good for close range, accurate casting.

Pit -fishing-Area excavated for mining operations that fills with water.

Pitching -fishing-Presentation technique in which worms or jigs are dropped into cover at close range with an underhand pendulum motion, using a 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 foot baitcasting rod.

Plane -fishing-Term describing when a boat gets onto the surface of the lake, rather than being in the water the boat in planning on top of the water.

Planer Boards- gear/tackle -Used for trolling, planer boards are flat made from plastic or a dense floating foam with a beveled edge. They are attached to the line by the use of a line release ( clip on / tension clip). Using planer boards allows the angler to run mutltiple lines by planning the boards off each side of the boat. Upon a fish strike the board will release to play the fish. On Great Lakes rigging a single release is used and a snap, keeping the board on the line.

Plankton -fishing-Tiny plants and animals, too small to see, in the saltwater food chain. "Filter-feeders," often important baitfish such as menhaden or cigar minnows, sift the water all day for plankton.

Play-fishing-To "play" a fish is to use your equipment and skill to tire a fish before landing it. In tournament competition, this is only done in cases where a big fish is hooked with light tackle. Tournament anglers generally want to get bass in the boat as fast as possible, for two reasons: to decrease the chance of it getting free; and to maximize its chances of survival by not letting it tire.

Plug- gear/tackle -A free swimming lure. One that travels from side to side and not just straight.

Pocket -fishing-A small indentation of the shoreline.

Pocket water -fishing-Where fast current rushes around boulders and other obstructions, creating pockets of calmer water.

Point -fishing-A finger of land jutting into the water. A shoreline feature where the shoreline makes a turn out into the lake and cuts back on itself forming a peninsula. These can be large main-lake features at the opening of a creek arm or as small as a boat. In natural lakes, a point may not be that obvious. It may only be discernable by weed growth outlining the point underwater. In this case, look at the weeds as if they were the shoreline.

Polarized glasses - gear/tackle -Polarized sunglasses reduces glare from the sun and allows the angler to view into the water. They work on the principle blocking the horizontal polarized light reflections by the vertically oriented polarizers in the lenses. Polarized lenses may also react adversely with liquid crystal displays LCDs depth finders in reading the display screen.

Pomoxis annularis -fish-The Latin name for the White Crappy .

Pomoxis nigromaculatus -fish-The Latin name for the Black Crappy .

Popper - gear/tackle -Topwater plug with a dished-out (concave or "cupped") head designed to make a splash when pulled sharply.

Port -fishing-The left side of a boat or ship.

Post Front -fishing-The period following a weather front.

Post-spawn-fishing-Post-spawn is when the bass have finished spawning and the eggs have hatched. The bigger female bass move out to deeper water, though not as deep as they will be in summer, and are hungry after the energy expended in spawning. The smaller males guard the fry (groups of baby bass) for a while, and can be caught because they attack anything that threatens the fry.

Powerfishing-fishing- "Power" (as opposed to "finesse") techniques like pitching or flipping heavy jigs and using spinnerbaits quickly. "Power" generally means bigger lures fished quickly. These often provoke "reaction strikes" from bass, as opposed to a bass eating a lure because it's hungry. Anglers who prefer to fish with power techniques are called "power fishermen."

Practice-fishing-Term for official practice days on a tournament lake. In B.A.S.S. events these are the three days immediately prior to the start of competition. In FLW events, anglers cn practice for as long as they want right up to the competition start date because there is no off-limits.

Pre-fish-fishing-Term for practice days before the off-limits, and consequently before the official practice.

Presentation -fishing-A collective term referring to choice of type of lure, color, and size; structure targeted; amount of disturbance a bait makes when entering the water; and retrieval technique, speed, and depth used to catch fish.

Pre-spawn-fishing-Pre-spawn is the time before the spawn when bass are getting ready to move into spawning locations, like protected coves and the backs of creeks where the water is shallower and warming first. This is in early spring, and bass typically "stage" near spawning areas (e.g., points outside of coves) waiting for a rise in water temperature and/or the right moon phase before moving into shallow water.

Professional Overrun -fishing-Another more polite term for backlash. Also called spaghetti.

Prop - gear/tackle -Common term for the propeller of a trolling or outboard motor.

Prop bait - gear/tackle -Topwater lure with a metal propeller on one or both ends.

Protect-fishing-An angler might sit on or near a spot all day or for multiple days to "protect" it from being fished by other competitors. Example: "I caught a limit and then protected that spot the rest of the day." The angler might only actually fish the spot for just a few hours or less each 8-hour day.

Pull off-fishing-A hooked fish "pulls off" when it gets free without jumping. Usually there is no particular movement (e.g., a headshake) associated with "pulling off."

Pumpkinseed - gear/tackle -Light brownish color used often in soft plastic lures. Very natural hue.

Pupa -fishing-The third phase of an insect's life cycle, when wings are beginning to grow.

Put-In -fishing-A term used to denote the launch area for the start of a float trip.

Qualifier-fishing-One or series of tournaments that must be fished in order to make it to a fish-off. Example; B.A.S.S. Invitational tournaments are qualifiers for the BASS Masters Classic.

Quarry -fishing-Area excavated for mining operations that fills with water.

Rainbow trout -fish-A beautiful trout species characterized by a brilliant pink stripe running lengthways down its side. The rainbow is a silvery fish and has black spots.

Ramp -fishing-A term used to denote the launch/retreive area for a boat.

Rat-L-Trap - gear/tackle -Original type of lipless crankbait. Most anglers refer to all similar lures by this name.

Rattles - gear/tackle -Glass or metal noisemakers added to lures in order to help bass find the lure easier.

Reaction Strike-fishing-Term for goading a bass to instinctively "lash out" at a lure. Bass are the dominant predators in their world, are territorial and use their mouths as a "weapon," and thus can be provoked into striking a lure. Because fish aren't hungry 100 percent of the time, many bass are caught by provoking a reaction strike, often with "power" techniques.

Redd -fishing-A spawning bed for trout, identifiable by a hollow of clean gravel in a mild current.

Reel seat- gear/tackle -The section of a rod that clamps down the reel so it is secure.

Release -fishing-Returning fish, in the best possible condition after removal of the hook, to the water from which it was taken.

Reservoir -fishing-An artificial water body, normally used for drinking water supply, and which may also be stocked with fish.

Resident species-fishing-Species of fish which spend their entire lives in freshwater.

Re-spool - gear/tackle -To replace the old line on a reel with new line.

Re-stocking -fishing-The practice of releasing artificially reared fry or fingerlings into ponds, reservoirs, or open waters.

Retrieval -fishing-The act of bringing in slack line (also called "stripping" by many fly fishermen.)

Revolving-Spool Reel - gear/tackle -Another term for baitcasting reel. The spool turns during casting, unlike the spool of a spinning or spincasting reel.

Ribbon tail - gear/tackle -Style of plastic worm that has a long ribbon type tail that ripples when the worm is retrieved.

Riprap -fishing-Loose rock, stacked on a bank by mother nature or man that transitions into the water to help prevent erosion. This is a great place where crustaceans like to hide.

River -fishing-A natural flow of water of considerable volume.

Riverbank -fishing-The bank or banks of a river.

Riverbed -fishing-The area/channel between the banks through which a river flows.

Riverboat -fishing-A boat designed for use on a river or stream.

Rivulet -fishing-A small stream or brook.

Rock-fishing-There are many types of rock, each of which has its own properties and fish-holding capabilities during certain conditions or certain times of the year. Some names for types are self-explanatory (shale, pea gravel) while others aren't (rip-rap, chunk rock, bluff).

Rocket launcher - gear/tackle -A rack of tubes designed to hold five or six rods in a boat, easily accessible and protective from damage in rough seas -- though not from corrosive salt spray.

Rod belt - gear/tackle -A leather or (in more modern times) a plastic belt that fits around an angler's waist while fighting a fish. The belt socket keeps the rod butt snug, and saves weary arm muscles and that lower back during a long fight.

Run-In-fishing-Areas in the rock walls of highland reservoirs that leak or pour water into the lake after a rain.

Saddle -fishing-A thin piece of land that extends out from the shoreline (it can be a visible point or not) and connects to an underwater island or hump. This thin piece of land will dip down in depth before it meets with underwater island where it will again come up in depth thus giving it the name "saddle". On a topo map, the contour lines will appear like an underwater point coming from the shoreline. Out from the shoreline, the lines on each side of the point will get closer and then start getting further apart until they reach the hump or island.

Salt marsh -fishing-Often made up of spartina grass, a salt marsh is just that, filled with crabs, shrimp and juvenile saltwater fish.

Sanctuary -fishing-Deep-water fish habitat.

Sandbag-fishing-Tournament slang for just catching enough fish (weight) to make the cut -- also known as (sort of) "saving fish." For example, if an angler had 20 pounds on day 1 and figures that he only needs 22 pounds total to make the cut after day 2, he will catch only one or two fish on day 2 and save the rest of his fish for days 3 and/or 4.

Scatter Point-fishing-Position along structure where bass start to separate or scatter; often found in shallow water, at or very close to a breakline.

Scent - gear/tackle -Also known as fish formulas and attractants are marketed as sprays, liquids and jellies applied to lures to mask the human odor and attract game fish. Scents also are impregnated in manufacturing of soft plastic lures. Scents come in numerous different flavors or odors ranging from forage scents, crawfish, shad, minnow to spices, fruits and vegetables, salt, anise, cherry and garlic.

Scott, Ray-fishing-Founder of B.A.S.S. (1967) and regarded as the father of modern bass angling. Scott sold B.A.S.S. in 1986 to a group of investors, who sold it to ESPN in April 2001.

Seawall-fishing-Any wall built to protect a land structure from water (does not have to be the ocean). These are frequently build of rip-rap, railroad ties, concrete or metal panels.

Seine - gear/tackle -A net designed to hang vertically in the water, the ends being drawn together to encircle fish.

Seining-fishing-To fish with or catch fish or reptiles with a seine, which is a large net with sinkers on one edge and floats on the other that hangs vertically in the water and is used to enclose fish when its ends are pulled together.

Selective Harvest -fishing-Deciding to release or harvest fish, based on species, size, and relative abundance.

Serial Spawning -fishing-Spawning in bursts or pulses more than once in a spawning season in response to an environment stimulus.

Shad -fishing-Any of several cluepeid fishes that have a rather deep body.

Shoal -fishing-A submerged ridge, bank, or bar consisting of, or covered by, unconsolidated sediments (mud, sand, gravel).

Shock leader - gear/tackle -A short but heavy piece of monofilament, attached to the hook, designed to take the shock of a hard strike. And the resulting abrasion from sharp teeth or bottom scraping.

Short/Short fish-fishing-Pro angler slang term for bass that do not measure up to the minimum legal size (length) usually 14 inches.

Short Strike-fishing-When a fish hits at a lure and misses it.

Sight-fishing-Angling for bass that you can see, or (in the case of the noun) the bass you can see when you sight-fish. Typically these bass are shallow, near the bank, and spawning.

Single action- gear/tackle -A reel where the handle is attached directly to the spool, without the aid of gears.

Size Limit -fishing-The legal length a fish must be if it is in possession.

Skirt- gear/tackle -A group of rubber or silicone fibers that extend from the head of a spinnerbait or jig over the hook. The skirt provides body and action to the bait. Silicone skirts usually look better, but rubber skirts generally perform better (more action).

Slack Line-fishing-The loose line from the tip of the rod to the lure. This can be a slight bow in the line to an excess of line lying on the water.

Slicks-fishing-Bass not long enough to meet tournament standards; typically less than 14 inches. Such fish also are called "nubbins ", "through backs", "pop corns", "babies" and "dinks".

Slip Bobber - gear/tackle -A rig component that uses a float/bobber made of wood or dense foam around a hollow tube, in which the line slips through to a line knot/stop above the weight and hook. The slip bobber is used for deep water live bait presentations mainly for walleyes and crappies and panfish.

Slip Sinker - gear/tackle -Any sinker that line passes through. A slip sinker rig is well suited when you still fish the bottom for light biting fish such as walleyes. Once they take in the bait they can pull the line through the sinker eye not feeling any resistance which would cause them to spit out the bait.

Slot Limit -fishing-Dictates that fish within a specified mininum and maximum size range which must be released immediately.

Slough -fishing-A long, narrow stretch of water such as a small stream or feeder tributary off a lake or river.

Slow Roll -fishing-Spinnerbait presentation in which the lure is retrieved slowly through and over cover and objects.

Slush Bait - gear/tackle -Topwater plug with flat or pointed head.

Smallmouth Bass -fish-A black bass, primarily bronze in color, who's jaw does not extend beyond the eye and is found in clear rivers and lakes; also called bronzebacks, brown bass, river bass, and smallies.

Snubbers - gear/tackle - Used on trolling rigs from the Dipsy Diver to the leader. A snubber is a length of surgical tubing with a swivel attached at both ends. Inside the tubing is a coiled piece of heavy line. When a fish strikes a trolled lure, the snubber stretches out to absorb the impact and then retracts.

Soft Bottom -fishing-River bottoms which are comprised of soft material such as silt, mud, or muck.

Soft-plastics- gear/tackle -Term used to describe injection-molded or, less commonly, hand-poured (literally) rubber lures. These lures can resemble natural prey items -- such as worms, snakes, crayfish -- or nothing natural at all. They are effective at fooling fish because of their natural action, ability to be "impregnated" with fish-attracting scents and/or salt, and realistic soft texture.

Sonar - gear/tackle -An acronym derived from the expression 'sound navigation' and ranging; the method or the equipment for determining by underwater sound techniques the presence, location, or nature of objects in the sea; a system for determining distance of an underwater object by measuring the interval of time between transmission of an underwater sonic or ultrasonic signal and return of its echo.

Spawn-fishing-The spawn is the time of the year when bass reproduce in warmer, shallower, "protected" (mostly from wind) water, often in coves or the backs of feeder creeks. The males make "beds" on harder substrate to attract the larger females. After spawning, the males guard the nest and the baby bass, or "fry." Usually this is for a few weeks in the spring, though in warmer states with less seasonal change (e.g., Florida) the spawn can occur over several months. Not everyone fished for spawning bass, though biologists have found that if bass are immediately released when caught "off beds," no harm is done. Bass caught during the spawn usually strike lures to defend the bed.

Spawning -fishing-Release or deposition of spermatozoa or ova, of which some will fertilize or be fertilized to produce offspring; fish reproduction process characterized by females and males depositing eggs and sperm into the water simultaneously or in succession so as to fertilize the eggs.

Spawn Sacs-fishing-An effective bait used for Salmon, Steelhead and Trout when spawning occurs in streams and rivers. Spawn Sacs are made from fish eggs or roe tied together in using a fine mesh netting. Used as bait on a bottom rig.

Spider jig - gear/tackle -Soft-plastic grub with tentacles or skirt at forward end.

Spincaster - gear/tackle -A push-button, closed-face spinning reel and baitcasting rod.

Spinnerbait -fishing-A type of artificial lure that consists of one or two rotating blades and either a straight or safety-pin style shaft dressed with material.

Spinning - gear/tackle -An open-face or closed-face spinning reel and spinning rod; reel is mounted on the underside of the rod; rod guides are on the underside of the rod.

Split Shot Sinker - gear/tackle -A small ball of lead of varying weights that is split open on one side and can be placed directly on the line.

Split Shotting- gear/tackle -Often called stitch angling because you move the bait in increments no larger than a sewing stitch and made just as slowly and patience is the key. Use a small #5 split-shot and crimp it about 18 inches above a light wire 1/0 or lighter small hook. Spinning tackle is a must. Small worms, 3-inch salt craws and others are perfect for the gentle application required.

Spaghetti -fishing-Another term for backlash. Also called Professional Overrun.

Spook -fishing-The act of alarming a fish in a negative way. Examples: excessive noise, casting a human shadow.

Spool- gear/tackle -The portion of the reel that holds the line.

Spoon - gear/tackle -A metal lure resembling a kitchen utensil. Used for catching fish out of deep water.

Spot-fish-fishing-Slang verb meaning "to fish a spot" as opposed to a pattern. Not to be confused with spotting (seeing) fish or spotted bass. As tournament anglers have gotten better over the years, more tournaments are being won on a single spot or a few spots instead of patterns (which may be "camped on" by anglers all day to protect them), though patterning of bass is always involved.

Spring creek -fishing-A creek whose flow comes from underground springs. Spring creeks are typically small, clear, and challenging to fish.

Spring runoff -fishing-The time of year when the snow melts and runs into the rivers, swelling the trout streams with a great volume of water.

Squealer-fishing-Slang for a small bass, which may or may not be over the minimum length limit.

Stage/Staging area-fishing-"Staging areas" are places where bass are temporarily residing (the bass "stage" or are "staging") before moving on to another location. Usually this term is only used in reference to pre-spawn bass which "stage" near spawning areas, waiting for the right conditions for moving up to spawn.

Stained -fishing-A discoloration of the water usually occurring after a heavy rain.

Standing Line-fishing-Refers to the line that is attached to the reel spool and runs through the rod guides to your terminal end of the line.

Starboard -fishing-The right side of a boat or ship.

Star drag - gear/tackle -First used in the late 1950s, this was a major improvement in fighting fish. Still in use today. The star-shaped device, behind the reel's handle, is tightened by advancing it clockwise. When not in use, the drag should be loosened, as it tends to flatten the plastic washers inside.

Stick bait - gear/tackle -A lipless slender plug or topwater lure that is given action by the angler manipulating the rod and reel, making the bait go back-and-forth to resemble a wounded baitfish, which is called "walking the dog."

Stick-Up -fishing-Stationary structure - stump, limb, section of pipe, fence post - that protrudes above the surface of the water.

Stinger hook - gear/tackle -A trailing hook designed to catch short-striking fish. For instance, a slow-trolled live bait would have a stinger hook back near its tail. The nose hook tows the bait, while the stinger hook guards against short-strikes.

Stizostedion vitreum -fish-The Latin term for Walleye.

Stocking -fishing-The practice of releasing artificially reared fry or fingerlings into ponds, reservoirs, or open waters.

Stragglers -fishing-- Bass that remain near shore following a general migration.

Strain -fishing-In fish, a strain is a group of related individuals that was created though selective breeding and that is genetically different from other strains of the same species.

Stream -fishing-A body of running water.

Streambed -fishing-The channel being occupied or formerly occupied by a stream.

Stringer/String- gear/tackle -A "stringer" is a device used for "stringing up" fish that an angler intends to keep. Originally, these were "strings" (pieces of rope) that were inserted through a fish's gill and then out through its mouth so fish could be kept alive in the water while prevented from escaping. Eventually these devices became fancier, but essentially the same, with metal or plastic clips.

Stock-fishing-A specific population of fish spawning in a particular stream during a particular season.

Structure -fishing-Changes in the shape of the bottom of lakes, rivers, or impoundments, especially those that influence fish behavior. Examples include manmade cribs, flooded roadbeds, humps, ledges, and drop-offs.

Subyearling-fishing-A developmental life stage of fish that are less than one year old.

Surgeon's knot - gear/tackle -A knot used to tie two pieces of tippet together.

Suspended Fish -fishing-Fish at mid-level depths, neither near the surface nor on the bottom.

Sustainable yield -fishing-The number or weight of fish in a stock that can be taken without reducing the stock from year to year, assuming that environmental conditions remain the same.

Swim Bladder -fish-A tough-walled gas-filled sac lying in the upper part of the body cavity of many bony fishes just beneath the vertebral column; its principal function is to offset the weight of heavier tissue such as bone. In some fishes used for sound production or respiration.

Swimming Lures - gear/tackle -Sinking-type artificial baits designed to resemble a swimming baitfish. Such plugs vibrate and/or wobble during retrieve; some have built-in rattles. Also called lipless crankbaits.

Swivel- gear/tackle -A device used to attach two lines, a line to a lure, or a device to prevent the twisting of the monofilament itself.

Tac-fishing-Total allowable catch is the total regulated catch from a stock in a given time period, usually a year.

Tackle-fishing-The gear used by an angler or a commercial fisher to catch fish.

Tail-Spinners - gear/tackle -Compact, lead-bodied lures with one or two spinner blades attached to the tail, and a treble hook suspended from the body; designed to resemble a wounded shad; effective on schooling bass.

Tagging -fishing-Marking, or attaching a tag to an individual or group of individuals, so that it or they can be identified on recapture; used for the study of movement, migration and stock delineation, for the examination in a stock and for the recovery of biological specimens.

Take-off-fishing-The area where all boats start the day.

Take-Out -fishing-A term used to specify where boats are taken out of the water at the end of a float trip.

Taper -fishing-An area in a body of water that slopes toward deeper depths.

Terminal Tackle - gear/tackle -A term that refers collectively to bobbers, sinkers, leaders, hooks, lures, snaps, swivels, and other gear that go at the end of a line.

Texas Rig - gear/tackle -A weedless bottom rig used on soft plastic lures. To rig a bullet weight is threaded on the line then a hook is tied. To make the rig weedless insert the hook about 3/8 of a inch in the front of the lure, push the hook to the eye, turn the hook and insert the point back into the lure with out exposing the point of the hook. Used on soft plastic worms, crawfish and lizards.

Thermocline -fishing-During the summer months lakes stratify into layers. These are areas underwater where warmer layers of water meet cooler layers, this is the themocline and where fish are often active. Generally, baitfish hang just above the thermocline, while larger game fish are found suspended in or just below it.

Three-way swivel - gear/tackle -Three rings on this swivel, usually of a brass color. The hook line is perhaps 2 feet long, attached to one of the three rings. That keeps it away from the main line and weight. If a current is running and the bait is spinning, the ring turns and the line won't kink up.

Throw the hook-fishing-Slang for a fish freeing itself by any means other than breaking the line. A fish can throw the hook by "pulling off," "jumping off" or by other methods.

Tight-Action Plug - gear/tackle -A lure with short, rapid side-to-side movement.

Tippet -fishing-Monofilament leader material that is the same diameter throughout. Tippet is measured from the very fine (7x) to the very heavy (0x).

Tiptop -fishing-Line guide or Eyelit at top of a rod.

Tip-up Ice - gear/tackle -A tip up is a set rig using a cross piece of plastic or wood with a spring loaded wire and flag attached. Centered on the cross piece is a metal tube filled with anti freeze attached to a reel on the bottom and a trip bar on top. The tip up rig is placed over an ice hole on the cross piece with the metal tube turned vertically and placed in to the water. The amount of line used is held by the trip rod using the metal wire with the flag. Upon a fish strike the reel will turn moving the trip rod releasing the flag.

Tip Down Ice- gear/tackle - A tip down is made of wood or plastic, shaped as a H with a base. The function of a tip down is a rod holder and a strike indicator. The ice rod is held on a tip down balancing on a pivot rod at a 45 degree angle upward maintaining depth control of the bait. Upon a fish strike the rod will follow a downward motion indicating a fish strike.

Titanium - gear/tackle -A high-tech metal currently being used to make superior spinnerbaits that return to their original shape when flexed.

Topwater Lure - gear/tackle -A lure that floats and is designed to be used to create some degree of disturbance on the surface during retrieve.

Tow vehicle-fishing-Literally the vehicle with which an angler tows a boat. Usually a pickup truck or SUV with a paint color that matches the boat.

Trailer Hook - gear/tackle -The extra hook, or cheater hook added to a single-hook lure, such as a spinnerbait.

Transducer - gear/tackle -A device that converts electrical energy to sound energy, or the converse.

Transition -fishing-The imaginary line where one type of bottom material changes to another.

Transom -fishing-The thick fiberglass wall of a boat on which the outboard motor is bolted.

Trapping-fishing-To catch or take by use of a device, such as a cage or net, designed to capture a fish or animal.

Treble Hook - gear/tackle -Hook with single or bundled shaft and three points.

Tributary -fishing-A creek, stream, or river that feeds a larger stream or river or lake.

Triggering -fishing-Employment of any lure-retrieval technique or other strategy that causes a fish to strike.

Trolling -fishing-Several lures are towed behind the vessel and retrieved as strikes are made.

Trolling Board- gear/tackle -A trolling board is either single or double in makeup. They are drawn through the water by a connecting line from the boat or mast to the board itself unlike a planer board that is connected to the line. Trolling boards allows the angler to run multiple rod set-ups by placing sliding releases on the connecting line.

Trolling Motor - gear/tackle -A small electric motor, typically mounted on the bow, that is used as secondary means of propulsion, for boat positioning, and to maneuver quietly.

Trolling rod- gear/tackle -A specialty rod used to drag small or large lures behind a boat while in motion. Most often with all roller guides.

Tubing-fishing-To float down a river or stream in an inner tube like craft.

Tube lures - gear/tackle -Soft plastic lures that are hollow inside the body. The end of the lure is like a soft skirt with tentacles. Used on light lead head jigs and with a slip sinker.

Turnover -fishing-Fall cooling and spring warming of surface water act to make density uniform throughout the water column. This allows wind and wave action to mix the entire lake. Mixing allows bottom waters to contact the atmosphere, raising the water's oxygen content. However, warming may occur too rapidly in the spring for mixing to be effective, especially in small sheltered lakes.

USCG -fishing-United States Coast Guard

USGS -fishing-United States Geological Survey.

Utility boxes - gear/tackle -The clear plastic tackle boxes that have become popular recently.

Vegetation -fishing-Fishermen refer to any underwater plant as vegetation or "grass."

Ventral Fin -fish-The fin located on the front of a fish's abdomen.

Vermiculations-fishing-Irregular lines or impressions like worm tracks.

Vertebra -fishing-An individual segment of the backbone of a fish.

Vertebrate -fishing-A creature that has a backbone, for instance a fish or a mammal.

Vertical Movement-fishing-Up and down movement of fish. Can also be movement of a lure such as a spoon.

Vest -fishing-A vest with extra pockets for all the gear that a fly fisherman needs.

Virtual Invisibility-fishing-Occurs when line disappears once placed underwater. This is called the "mirror effect" because the surface of the line is highly polished, it acts as a mirror, reflecting its surroundings and blending in.

Visibility -fishing-The distance, measured in terms of depth, that you can see into a body of water; is directly affected by water clarity.

Vomer-fishing-The most anterior bone of the roof of the mouth; may bear teeth.

Wacky rig- gear/tackle -Popular term for hooking a plastic worm or similar bait through the middle, as if it's a live worm. In this way the hook is perpendicular to the worm so that when the worm is pulled, the ends of the worm flap or pulsate.

Wade belt - gear/tackle -A wide plastic belt with various items attached, like a PVC rod holder, needlenose pliers in sheath, and a stringer attachment.

Waders- gear/tackle -Protective outer clothing used to keep the fisherman dry when standing or float-tubing in water. Typically made of neoprene, nylon, or a Gore-Tex-like material. Can be insulated to supply warmth. 

Wading -fishing-To transverse a river or stream on foot; most commonly done in shallower waterways.

Walking Sinker- gear/tackle -Used on bottom rigs made from lead or steel The walking sinker is designed to pivot on its heel and let the line slide through the eye. It's shape also prevents it from rolling and the streamlined shape resists snags.

Walk the dog -fishing-Retrieve method used for topwater lures. Accomplished by twitching the rod tip downward several times. Used mostly with spook lures.

Warmwater fish-fishing-A broad classification on non-salmonid fish that generally have at least one spiny ray, have pelvic and pectoral fins located behind the gills, and are usually suited for water that consistently exceeds 70 degrees F.

Watercourse -fishing-A stream of water; natural or man-made channel through which water flows.

Water Dog -fishing-Any of several large American salamanders.

Water column -fishing-Vertical section of the sea or lake.

Water Parting -fishing-A boundary line separating the drainage districts of two streams.

Watershed -fishing-A region bounded by a water parting and finally draining to a particular body of water or watercourse.

Weedguard - gear/tackle -A stiff plastic or metal wire that protects the jig or lure from becoming snagged.

Weeds-fishing-Aquatic vegetation are not literally "weeds," in the sense of annoying plants. In fact, aquatic vegetation is necessary to sustain aquatic life and provides some of the best bass habitat because it provides food (prey items), shelter for young bass and ambush points for bass, which are predominantly ambush predators. Term probably derives from "seaweed."

Weedless -fishing-A description of a lure designed to be fished in heavy cover with a minimum amount of snagging.

Weedline -fishing-Abrupt edge of a weedbed caused by a change in depth, bottom type, or other factor.

Weir-fishing-Usually a barrier constructed to catch upstream migrating adult fish.

Wide-gap -fishing-Refers to a hook with a large opening or gap between the shank and point. This enables the angler to hook a bigger percentage of fish.

Wild populations-fishing-Fish that have maintained successful natural reproduction with little or no supplementation from hatcheries.

Wild stock-fishing-A stock that is sustained by natural spawning and rearing in the natural habitat, regardless of parentage.

Willowleaf - gear/tackle -A blade design used on spinnerbaits that resembles a half moon.

Wire leader - gear/tackle -Any of several kinds of leader with steel content.

Worming -fishing-The act of angling with a plastic worm, lizard, crawfish, or similar bait.

Yearling-fishing-A one year old fish.

Year Class -fishing-Individuals spawned in the same year (or spawning season, when that spans the end of one year and the beginning of the next).

Yield-per-recruit-fishing-The expected lifetime yield-per-fish of a specific age (e.g., per age 2 individual). For a given exploitation pattern, rate of growth, and natural mortality, an expected equilibrium value of Y/R can be calculated for each level of F.

Yolk Sac -fishing-In embryos and early fish larvae, a bag-like ventral extension of the gut containing nutrive materials. It nourishes the growing fish until it is able to feed itself.

Zara Spook- gear/tackle -A topwater type lure. The lure is cast out and retrieved in a walk the dog fashion (side to side or zigzag motion). It is supposed to mimic an injured fish and comes in many different fashions but the most prominent is the minnow type. Any fish that takes its prey from the water's surface would be considered a targeted species with this lure.

Zebra mussel -fishing-An exotic mussel that has infested U.S. water and threatens our fisheries. Looks like zebra stripe little clams, and they attach to boats, trailers, docks, etc. Use care when boating in areas with this creature. Inspect your boat and trailer prior to launching in another body of water.

Zooplankton -fishing-Animals (mostly microscopic) which drift freely in the water column.