Game & Fish East

Each issue of Game & Fish East details proven local strategies for whitetails, turkeys, bass, trout and more. Discover the best places to hunt and fish from Maine to Virginia, and learn the top times for success in the field and on the water. Get info on hot new gear and how it performs, as well as updates on trends, regulations, seasons and destinations to help you plan your next outing.

TEAM EFFORT

Game & Fish East

GAME & FISH ONLINE • TIPS, TACTICS, GEAR, NEWS AND MORE AT GAFMAG.COM

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING • Game & Fish editors pick their favorite shows on MyOutdoorTV.

MOON TIMES

LEGACY LEVER-GUN CARTRIDGES • HUNTERS SHOULDN’T OVERLOOK THE .30-30 WIN. AND .45-70 GOVT. JUST BECAUSE THEY’RE OLD.

NATURAL SELECTION • MATERIALS MADE BY NATURE ARE ENJOYING A RESURGENCE IN FISHING.

BUZZ KILL • HOW SHOULD WE REGULATE THE USE OF DRONES AND THERMAL DEVICES IN THE FIELD?

Springtime TRIPLE-DOUBLE • A VETERAN TURKEY HUNTER AND HIS PROTÉGÉ EMBARK ON A GOBBLE-FILLED SEASONTHAT SPANS FROM OREGON’S COAST RANGE TO THE CASCADES.

GOBBLERS ALONG THE SPINE • FROM GEORGIA TO MAINE, THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS OFFER A WEALTH OF PUBLIC LAND FOR HUNTING TURKEYS IN THE SPRING.

APPALACHIAN DESTINATIONS • These eight areas encompass millions of acres of public land open to turkey hunters.

AROUND THE EAST • A SAMPLING OF THE REGION’S BEST HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES THIS MONTH

SMOOTH MOVES • UNCONVENTIONAL METHODS FOR CLOSING THE DISTANCE ON GOBBLERS

SHAD UP • IT’S GAME ON FOR ONE OF AMERICA’S GREATEST GAMEFISH.

BASS BONANZA • MIGRATING STRIPED BASS ARE STILL ON THEIR WAY UP THE COAST, BUT THE ACTION FOR HOLDOVER STRIPERS CAN BE SPECTACULAR RIGHT NOW.

DEKE TWEAKS • IF YOU THINK THE TURKEYS WHERE YOU HUNT HAVE SEEN IT ALL, IT’S TIME TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO YOUR DECOY SPREAD.

THE CHEAT SHEET • The four phases of spring turkey behavior and the decoys to use

Pounding FLOUNDER • WINTER FLOUNDER FISHING ISN’T DEAD. ONE OF THE BEST-TASTING FISH OF ALL CAN STILL CAUGHT IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

FLAT-OUT DIFFERENT • Often confused, winter flounder and fluke, aka summer flounder, are two distinct species.

EMPIRE OF TROUT • AS NEW YORK’S LONG-AWAITED TROUT SEASON GETS UNDERWAY THIS MONTH, CONSIDER TRYING YOUR LUCK AT ONE OF THESE THREE LEGENDARY LOCATIONS.

READING THE RIVERS • Spring weather means you need backup options.

GAME & FISH TACKLE TEST 2025 • WE RANK 45 NEW BASS RODS AND REELS BASED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE IN REAL-WORLD FISHING CONDITIONS.

THE WINNERS: SPINNING RODS AND REELS

FOCUS ON ERGONOMICS • Manufacturers are taking great strides in making tackle that is more comfortable to use than ever.

THE GEAR WE USED • The Tackle Test would be nothing more than a beauty contest without line, hooks and baits.

MATERIAL MATTERS • Making sense of the high-tech ingredients used in modern rod building

THE WINNERS: BAITCASTING RODS AND REELS

Mossberg International SILVER RESERVE EVENTIDE TURKEY • THIS STACKED-BARREL SCATTERGUN IS A VERSATILE OPTION FOR SPRING TURKEY HUNTERS.

MIDDLE GROUND • NOT EVERYONE AGREES ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.