Learn Arabic (Modern Standard): سلة الصيد جافة اليوم.

سلة and الصيد form an 'Idafa' (a possessive phrase meaning 'the basket of fishing'). In this structure, the first word never takes ال (the), but the whole phrase is still considered definite because the second word has it.

The word for fishing (الصيد) is masculine. Why is the adjective for dry (جافة) feminine?

The adjective جافة describes the basket (سلة), which is feminine. Even though the masculine word الصيد sits right next to the adjective, adjectives must always agree in gender with the core noun they describe, not the modifying noun.

How do we know this means 'The fishing basket is dry' and not 'the dry fishing basket'?

In Arabic, a nominal sentence uses a definite subject and an indefinite predicate. The subject phrase سلة الصيد is definite, but جافة is indefinite (it lacks ال). This tells us it is a full sentence with an implied 'is'. If it meant 'the dry fishing basket', the adjective would also need ال, making it سلة الصيد الجافة.

Does the word الصيد specifically mean 'fishing'?

No, الصيد broadly means hunting, fishing, trapping, or catching. It refers to the general act of capturing prey. In this sentence, 'fishing' is used because a basket is a common container for caught fish, but context determines the exact English translation.