In partnership with

Rise and shine. This is Early Bird Fishing. Prepare for world class fishing instruction, stories, and news, in less than 5 minutes.

Here’s what we got for you today:

• Some of the greatest boat ramp fails we’ve ever seen 🚤

• In the news: a 101 year old catching her first fish and Team USA fighting for gold at the World Ice Fishing Championship (but ultimately coming up short) 🧊

• Learn how to fillet a perch in 30 seconds 🐟

• Scroll To The Bottom - we have an unreal referral program and offer rewards for ONLY 1 referral 💸

🎣 Rookies At The Boat Ramp

The boat ramp is where legends are made—and where reputations are destroyed. If you don’t want to be “that guy” holding up the line while everyone silently judges you, follow these simple rules.

1. Get Your Boat Ready BEFORE You Back In

The ramp is not the place to load your gear, unhook your straps, or debate which snacks to bring. Do all of this in the staging area so when it’s your turn, you’re in and out like a pro.

2. Learn to Back Up a Trailer

If it takes you 17 attempts to straighten out, expect some head shakes from seasoned anglers. Practice in an empty parking lot before you hit the real deal.

3. Don’t Be a Ramp Hog

Once your boat is floating, move it to the dock or beach area so the next person can launch. Boat ramps are not social hour—get in, get out, and chat later.

4. Watch the Current and Wind

Nothing screams rookie like launching your boat, only to have it drift away while you’re still fumbling with your truck. Have a rope ready or a buddy holding the line.

5. Retrieve Like a Pro

When loading your boat back onto the trailer, positioning is everything. If your trailer is too shallow, you'll struggle to get the boat on, and you’ll have to winch it up like you're in a strongman competition. If it’s too deep, the boat will float around like a lost puppy, making it harder to center on the bunks.

The trick? Back the trailer in just enough so the tops of the fenders are slightly above or just at the waterline (this varies depending on trailer design). This gives the boat enough support to guide itself onto the bunks while still allowing you to drive it up smoothly.

Once you're lined up, ease the throttle forward until the boat settles onto the trailer. If you're solo, use the winch to pull it up snug—don’t gun the throttle like you’re launching into orbit. Then, secure the bow, pull up the ramp, and finish strapping everything down in the parking lot.

Do this right, and you’ll avoid ramp rage, weird looks, and unnecessary frustration. Plus, you’ll look like a seasoned angler who knows their way around a boat ramp.

🎣 IN THE FIELD

• Team USA had a tough go and placed 6th place in the 2025 World Ice Fishing Championship in Michigan. We didn’t even know this competition existed, but would take this over the NBA All Star game any day of the week.

• Just another day in Australia:

• A 101 year-old woman went fishing for the first time and caught her first fish. It’s never too late to cross off those bucket list items!

AI CORNER

Every week we generate fishing related AI images. See the coolness/weirdness below:

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

If you're frustrated by one-sided reporting, our 5-minute newsletter is the missing piece. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you comprehensive, unbiased news—free from political agendas. Stay informed with factual coverage on the topics that matter.

Join for free today!

💋 CHEF’S KISS - FILLET OF THE WEEK

Because you never catch just one perch at a time, here’s a quick tutorial on how to get through all those fillets (eta 30 seconds per fillet):