Ken Schultz's Fishing Encyclopedia

Heftier than most trophy trout, Ken Schultz's thoroughly comprehensive reference may be too big to fit into your fly box, but it'll take you more places than a marlin fighting a hook. Schultz knows what he's talking about; a staffer at Field & Stream for more than 25 years, he's held seven world fishing records at one time or another and was recently inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame. Somewhere along the way, he put down his rod long enough to reel in more than 100 expert contributors from around the world to help compile what should be the definitive reference on all things angling for some time.

More than 2,200 entries cover the whole ocean--plus rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds--of sportfishing with topics ranging from technique and equipment to the fish themselves. You want the ABCs of sonar? It's here. Unsure what a Kirby hook looks like? Schultz'll show you. How do you drift fish? This is where to learn. Hundreds of species are present and accounted for, their entries accompanied by photographs and/or watercolors. Say, for example, you want to land an Atlantic Bonito. The Fishing Encyclopedia will tell you the fish's Latin name is Sarda sarda, it's a relative of tuna, and it has a reputation for putting up a fight and tasting good once you catch it. Schultz also adds detailed information on its markings, size, habitat, behavior, and feeding habits and even offers some counsel on how best to catch it. The Fishing Encyclopedia may not be able to physically catch something for you, but it'll tell you pretty much everything you want to know about anything--other than maybe that old shoe--you manage to land on your own. --Jeff Silverman