Anybody subscribe to Field & Stream? Outdoor Life? Which is better for bass fishermen?

[Callin In Slick]

Also, if one has better writing overall than the other, I'd like to know that too.  I subscribe to BASS but was thinking of adding one of these.  I'd like to find some good outdoors writing to go with specific information on bass fishing.  Thanks for any insights!

[tnbassfisher]

I don't remember ever reading Outdoor Life. But Field and Stream is good for an article or two every issue.

I personally like Bassin' magazine if you can find it.

[RandySBreth]

Neither. Both are O.K if you want a varied amount of different outdoor "stuff" but for fishing specific I'd go with In-Fisherman. As for Bass specific, I've never been very impressed with Bassin'. Sometimes the Bassmaster and FLW Bass magazines are great, sometimes not.

[Crestliner2008]

I grew up with Outdoor Life. Jack O'Connor was my idol back then (in the '50's & '60's). The magazine was top of the line, with Field & Stream was up & coming, along with Sports Afield. Think of these magazines as the doctor you go see as your "General Practitioner", vs. the specialist that he usually sends you to. (GP's rarely "treat" you anymore.)

Now a days, you have much more species and activity related, specific magazines. You can get magazines dedicated to bass fishing, crappie, musky, varmint hunting, deer hunting, bird hunting, etc..

Just like the specialist that your GP sends you to. Best think you can do is to go to a book store, like Barnes & Noble. The have a vast array of magazines on all subjects. Select 1/2 dozen that you "think" may be of interest and decide for yourself what reflects your interests best.

[Grey Wolf]

Neither.

[Wayne P.]

I agree with Randy and Bass-Brat. With those two magazines you may have several issues during the year where the word "bass" is not even mentioned unless in a small advertizement.

[bear7625]

In-Fisherman is the only one I would spend my money on.

[Callin In Slick]

I already get Bass Master and regularly pick up several of the other mags specific to bass fishing.  I am looking for good writing about the outdoors - and if one of the two is more likely to have some bass info here and there - that's what I'd get.  I realize they are generalist and heavy on the hunting.  Thanks for the replies.

[JigMe]

I agree with bear that In-fisherman is worth is money. I have had several different magazines, but most of them doesn't talk about bass fishing that much.

[IwillChooseFreeWill]

My suggestions are In-fishermen, Bassin' and Bassmaster, I get 2 of these 3.

[Fishes in trees]

Finding a fishing magazine out there that is consistently good is a challenge.  Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, come across as real patronizing to me.  For instance, I don't need four pages on how to pick a spinning reel.

In-Fisherman magazine might be the best of the bunch out there right now, but it isn't anywhere near the magazine it was when the Lindners had it.  It is thinner for sure and it seems like the writing has been "dumbed down" a little bit.

I understand a magazine has to turn a profit, yet Bassmaster and Bassin and the FLW Outdoors magazine seem more interested in pimping product than in conveying genuine information.

We should probably count on each other to share information and ideas rather than count on some profit driven rag to do it for us.

[Bass-1]

If you already get Bassmasters, get Bass times too. I have both and they both have differant things on Bass.

[WRB]

Bass Anglers Guide is an excellent bass fishing magazine. Bass West is good, when they publish it and has been a problem.

In-Fisherman is a good all around fresh water fishing magazine and more up to date than Bassmaster with less promotion of touring pros and their products.

If you are looking for a general outdoor magazine, then take your pick, both are OK.

WRB

[jr1945]

i'd have to go wih field&stream, they published a picture of one of my lures in this months issue.

[bass or bass ?]

I think Bassin' is best for bass information . I also get Bassmaster, In-Fisherman, and North American Fisherman.

[tnbassfisher]

In-Fisherman is the only one I would spend my money on.

Personally, I don't do much fishing outside of bass. Therefore, I like to see magazines solely based on bass.

[Sfritr]

Save your money and read BR.  There is more information here than any magazine. 

If you are set on those two here is my advice:

I have been getting both for over ten years and neither are consistently fishing specific.  They cover everything outdoors anymore.  Hell, Outdoor Life just had an article about Zombie guns for gamers (no lie).  FS is a better read IMO but I get all my fishing needs right here at BR.