If you’re a sportsman, you probably use your boat for more then just sunning on the deck. And if fishing is your sport, chances are you’ve always dreamed of catching the big one. You know that one elusive fish that’s bigger than all others. The “one that got away.” If you do go after the big ones, make sure that you’re fully covered with boat insurance and that you have all the equipment you need to land one of those bad boys. Here are some of the biggest freshwater fish you can pursue:

• Catfish: believe it or not, there’s some reason to believe these just might be among the biggest things in fresh water. Never mind the stories of Mississippi River divers who refused to go back in the water after allegedly encountering 6-8 foot catfish; in Thailand, anglers actually caught one that was over 9’ long. Unfortunately, big catfish like that don’t take the bait very often.
• Muskellunge: generally regarded as the largest freshwater fish in North America, muskies typically reach lengths approaching five feet. In most places, you’re only allowed to keep one of them, but that’s OK. Five feet of fish produces a lot of filets. Muskies are generally found in the northern waters of the United States and Canada, particularly in the Great Lakes, though they have been stocked as far south as Georgia.
• Salmon: 50-60 pound fish are not terribly unusual, and an 85 pound specimen that measured nearly 6 feet in length was captured near Battle Creek, Michigan in recent years. There are several varieties of salmon, with Chinook typically being the largest.
• Sturgeon: with lengths of 18 feet being reported for Beluga sturgeon, there’s nothing that even comes close to touching the largest specimens outside of salt water. These fish are so prized that it is a matter of law in England that any sturgeon caught must be offered to the reigning King or Queen. Oddly enough, these fish aren’t prized so much for their meat as for their eggs. Caviar, anyone?
• Loch Ness Monster: OK, it may not exist and, if it does, it probably isn’t technically a fish, but it does live in fresh water. And even if you do manage to land one and live to tell about it, you’re going to have one hell of a time figuring out where to put the 35 foot long mount. But, can you imagine the fishing story you’d have? Personally, we just hope that anyone who gets their hook into Nessie has their boat insurance in order.

Fishing is a sport as well as a way to pass the time and just relax. But learning this how to fish can be quite difficult when first starting out. For those who want to learn the proper techniques there are many websites that explain how to fully grasp the art of fishing. The following is a list of blogs authored by seasoned fisherman that give tips on fishing, learning what equipment to use and also include information about finding the best places to fish.

1. A Fish Blog: This blog includes tips, information about equipment and techniques that can be utilized to master saltwater fishing. Also included are tips on the best areas to catch saltwater fish such as Tuna and Halibut.
2. Fishing Fury: This blog gives beginners tips and techniques for the many different kinds of fishing.
3. Trout Underground: This site has tips and techniques for freshwater fishing. You can learn where to best fish for Trout as well as the best bait and equipment to use.
4. Freshwater Fishing Blog: This blog will tell give you an inside look into freshwater fishing. You can learn everything there is to know about fishing in freshwater streams, lakes and rivers.
5. South Dakota Fishing: This blog is all about freshwater fishing. The author gives out tricks to help master this sport.
6. Flafin: This blog gives tips for fishing Florida waterways.
7. Fishing Only: This blog is full of information and tips for saltwater fishing.
8. Lunker Links: This blog is a guide to freshwater fishing.
9. Flying With Fish: This blog is an excellent resource for fly fishing.
10. Fly Fish Chick: A woman’s take on the sport of fly fishing.
11. Off Shore Pursuits: Saltwater fishing tips from a boat captain.
12. The Wire Dangler: Tips and information about freshwater fishing.
13. Fish Head: How to fish from a kayak.
14. Online Fishing Log: This blogs give helpful techniques when learning how to fish.
15. Jason Borger: This blog is dedicated to teaching angler how to fish with fly lures.
16. Bass Boys: A blog dedicated to teaching the techniques behind bass fishing.
17. Fly Fishing Film Tour: A blog about the art of fly fishing.
18. Striper Guide Fishing: A blog about those who fish Lake Texoma.
19. NorCal Angler: A guide to fishing in North California.
20. Bassin Blog: A site that educates anglers on bass fishing.
21. Blue Quill Angler: A blog about freshwater fishing.
22. NW Fly Fish Blog: A blog that shares the techniques behind fly fishing.
23. JRW Fishing: A blog about Trout fishing.
24. Larry Bozka: A guide to freshwater fishing from a professional angler.
25. Webbers Lodge Fishing: A guide to freshwater fishing.
26. Osomin: A guide to fishing spots in the state of Minnesota.
27. My Fly Fishing Blog: An avid angler blogs about his experience with fly fishing.
28. PA Fly Fish: A guide to fly fishing in the state of Pennsylvania.
29. Moldy Chum: A blog that delves into the world of freshwater fishing.
30. Mongabay: A blog about the latest fishing news.
31. Fish Headquarters: A blog about fishing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
32. Jackson Hole Fishing Report: A blog about fishing in the Jackson Hole area.
33. Parks Fly Shop: This blog explains the techniques and equipment necessary to fly fish.
34. World Angling: A guide to saltwater fly fishing.
35. Kayak Fishing Blog: A guide to fishing from a kayak.
36. Ultimate Fishing Site: A blog about saltwater fishing. This blog talks in depth about fishing off of the coast of Florida.
37. Fishing Jones: One man shares his fishing experiences.
38. Bass Fishing Dem: One man’s journey into the sport of bass fishing.
39. Josh Douglas Fishing: Josh Douglas chronicles his fishing adventures.
40. Hard Kore Fishing: A blog about championship fishing.
41. Team Bass Ackwards: A blog written by a team of bass fisherman.
42. Boyd Duckett: Boyd Ducketts’ blog about being a fisherman.
43. Bass Pundit: A site dedicated to the equipment used and techniques to employ when bass fishing.
44. Bass East Blog: A blog about becoming a great bass fisherman.
45. Minnesota Bass: A blog about fishing for bass in the state of Minnesota.
46. Rattle Trapramblings: A journey to becoming a professional bass fisherman.
47. Fly Fishing Frenzy: A blog that is dedicated to the sport of fly fishing.

Fishing is a sport enjoyed by a wide array of people. Countless men, women and children of all ages relax by casting a line and waiting for the fish to bite. Even a fairly new fisherman can give you their opinion on how to fish, but the best fishing stories you hear don’t have anything to do with how to bate the line or what type of bait to use. The good stories come from real life experiences.

The stories below range from funny to sweet, but they all have one thing in common. These are stories from real people, who love the sport of fishing and tell fishing stories that come from the heart.

1. The Skinniest Fish I Ever Saw: Humorous story about frying up the catch of the day.
2. Fishing Stories: Several stories from various people about their personal fishing experiences. Poems and fictional stories also available.
3. 999 Fish Stories:  Man describes the first time he took his brother fishing at a remote location.
4. Rich Lindgren’s Bassin’ Blog: Rich Lindgren tells various stories about his personal fishing experience in fishing tournaments, and stories from when he fishes for fun.
5. Catskill Gems: Story about catching various fish in a small stream in the Catskills.
6. A Couple of Ice Fishing Babes: Man tells a story about taking his children ice fishing.
7. Kayak Fishing Blog: Stories about a man’s personal experiences kayak fishing.
8. O so Minnesota: Stories from a retired Minnesota fisherman.
9. Fishing Fury: A blog with several real-life fishing stories from an avid fisherman that resides in Toronto.
10. Global Warming’s Effects on Hollywood Sea Creatures: Funny story about how global warming affects the fish from your favorite movies.
11. Deep Sea Fishing NJ: Stories and tips about landing a big catch off the Jersey shore.
12. Flamingo Fishing: The daily blog of Captain Alan Moudy featuring stories from his Florida deep sea fishing experiences.
13. Aiden’s Deep Sea Fishing Blog: Deep sea fishing stories from Aiden’s experiences off the coast of Prince Edward Island.
14. Prairie State Outdoors: Stories submitted from several different people about their favorite “big catch.”
15. A Little Fishing Humor: Captain Jim’s collection of humorous fishing stories.
16. Ron Speed’s Adventures: Stories from Ron Speed’s personal fishing adventures.
17. Journal of a Minnesota Angler: Stories, tips and fishing techniques from an avid fisherman in Minnesota.
18. The Joy of Fishing in New Brunswick: Stories and pictures about fly fishing in New Brunswick.
19. 51 Pound Striper: Short story and picture about catching a 51-pound striper.
20. My Fishing Diaries: Various stories from Peter Morton’s personal fishing experiences.
21. Mr. Z Keywest Fishing Tales: This captain’s blog tells stories about people catching their first fish and other stories about Key West fishing.
22. Kentucky Fishing Guides and Princess Fishing Chick Angler of the Year: Funny story from a wife vacationing with a husband who loves to fish.
23. The Trout Underground: Personal experiences about trout fishing.
24. Fly Fish Chick: A blog filled with fishing stories from a woman who balances her everyday life as a mom with her fishing obsession.
25. Fly Fisher Girl: A blog written by numerous women who love to fly fish and wanted to share their stories.
26. 111 Degrees West: A fisherman’s tales of adventure from Arizona to Montana, while fishing the 111^th meridian.
27. Tarpoon Killer X 2 – Ego vs Common Sense: Short story and photo about a man catching a huge adult tarpon.
28. Bad Fish: A blog about one man’s fishing obsession.
29. Fly Fish Addiction: Stories about a man with a fly fishing addiction. He targets big trout, bass and carp during his fishing excursions.
30. Moldy Chum: Photos and video blogs detailing various points of deep sea fishing.
31. Pike Fly Fishing Articles: Fly fishing tales from a man from South Africa who currently resides in Finland.
32. Rough Fisher: Stories about unique catches and small hidden gems that the Rough Fisher has found during his adventures.
33. A Matter of Life Death and Fluffchucking: Stories from a fly fisherman’s obsession with hunting fish.
34. Glassy Waters: Stories from an avid fisherman who has been fishing for over 15 years.
35. Some Poon-Age for Your Viewing Pleasure: Pictures that tell the story of this blogger’s huge catch.
36. Pond X.2: A story about pond fishing for bass, carp and gills.
37. Summer Fly Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park: A story that tells you the good points of fly fishing in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
38. Montana Trout Stalkers and Madison River Foundation: Fishing on the Madison River.
39. Tangler.Blogspot: Stories about various types of fishing from fly fishing, to ice fishing to night fishing.
40. The Caddis Fly: Oregon Fly Fishing Blog: Stories about fly fishing in Oregon.
41. The Trout Zone: Stories and amazing photos by a fisherman who also happens to be a talented photographer.
42. Arkansas Trout Fishing: A collection of Arkansas fishing stories by various people.
43. Bass East Blog: This blog features several co-authors that share their personal fishing stories, videos, tips and tricks.
44. Bass Pundit: One of the Internet’s first fishing blogs, this site is filled with stories, photos and videos related to bass fishing.
45. Rattletrap Ramblings: This blog is all about the author’s journey to move up the ranks of fishing tournaments and become a pro fisherman.
46. Jeff’s Small Mouth Bass Fishing Blog: An entire blog filled with stories dedicated to river fishing and small mouth bass.
47. How a Fish Almost Destroyed My Childhood: A humorous story about a child’s first fishing trip.
48. Bish & Fish in New Zealand: Quotes, stories and articles all about fishing in New Zealand.
49. Trout Waders: Stories from a rookie fisherman and his adventures stream fishing.
50. Incredible Fishing Stories with Shaun Morey: Stories from various users about their own personal fishing experiences.