On BigFishTackle, many users naturally call the different sections of the site “forums” as they were referred to on the previous board. That is completely normal. The new forum refers to the main sections as categories, but to most users, they simply feel like forums organized by topic.
A category is a main discussion area. For example, you may have a category for Utah fishing, a category for general, etc. When you click into one of these main sections, you are entering that part of the forum.
A subcategory is a smaller section that sits inside a main category. Think of it like a more specific forum within a broader forum. For example, a main category might be Utah Fishing Forum, while the subcategories under it could be Willard & Utah Lake Fishing Reports. This helps keep conversations organized so members can find the most relevant information faster.
In simple terms:
-
Category = the main forum section
-
Subcategory = a more specific section inside that main forum
So if a user says, “Go to the Utah forum,” they may actually mean the Utah subcategory inside a larger category. If they say, “Post that in the Reports forum,” they are usually referring to the main category.
To move between them, start on the homepage and click the main category that best matches what you want (graphic 1 above). If that category contains subcategories, you can then choose the more specific section that fits your topic (graphic 2 above). This makes it easier to browse the site, find the right discussions, and post in the most helpful place.
Here’s an easy way to think about it:
Main Category → Subcategory → Topics/Posts
Example:
Utah Fishing Reports → For Sale In Utah → Posts
That structure helps keep the community clean, easy to browse, and more useful for everyone.