Sam Hudson

1 month ago | sportfishingmag.com | Sam Hudson

Do you remember in the early 2000s when pork was branded “the other white meat”? I think of snelling a hook as “the other fishing knot.” Although not as common as everyday knots, the versatile snell knot can be used with different styles of hooks, different techniques and different strength leaders. Plus, it’s easy to tie. While researching this column, I realized just how many ways there are to snell a hook, whether it’s a uni-style or traditional snell wrap.

2 months ago | sportfishingmag.com | Sam Hudson

If you can ride a bike or e-bike, jump into a pedal kayak. The future of kayak-fishing is hands-free movement, with help from advanced pedal systems. Pictured, a striped bass. Courtesy Old Town In 1997, Hobie’s MirageDrive delivered a new way to kayak-fish by incorporating pedaling with the feet as a source of movement. The pedal-driven propulsion system was innovative, allowing anglers to put down the paddle in the kayak.

Feb 26, 2025 | saltwatersportsman.com | Sam Hudson

Retired news anchor and fly-fisherman Tom Brokaw once wrote: “Is it my imagination, or are almost all stories about fly-fishing told in hushed tones in pristine settings where man and trout are engaged in a solitary test of wits that, whatever the outcome, has a deeper meaning than mere fishing?”Pfft… I just wanted to catch some drag burners. In truth, landing a tarpon, bonefish and permit in a single day hadn’t crossed my mind as I hopped aboard Capt. Anthony Solmo’s 24-foot Yellowfin bay boat.

Feb 20, 2025 | sportfishingmag.com | Sam Hudson

Shark depredation can occur on the flats, all the way out to deep oceanic waters. A recent study looked at what Southeast U.S. offshore anglers were experiencing the last couple years. Courtesy Return ‘Em Right Sharks are a problem. At least that’s what many anglers point out when fishing for bottom fish in the Southeast. Scientists call it “shark depredation” — when your catch gets eaten before you can bring it to the boat.

Nov 21, 2024 | saltwatersportsman.com | Sam Hudson

Braided line, sometimes called Spectra or polyethylene (PE) line, is not particularly easy to tie to leader material. Braided lines and fluorocarbon or monofilament leaders seldom play well together with conventional fishing knots designed for mono-to-mono connections. Braided line can slip out of inappropriate knots, at times, because of its small diameter and slick coating. Also, a bulky knot can get caught in the rod tip, leading to catastrophe.