If you’re headed on a long-distance trip, the process of boarding the airplane can be mentally draining. We all want it to be efficient, but that means different things to different people. Collectively we have a stake in boarding progressing quickly, but individually we want to make sure that we’re there first and that our stuff is safe.

Fishing trips to Panama are made easier by the fact that Copa Airlines is generally so reliable — the proof is in the numbers from independent auditor Cirium.

We recently heard from Todd Sages about his November trip to Lake El Salto in November, but I’m even more excited to get the “real story” from his wife MaryAnn. Same trip, same couple, but you never know how their stories or perspectives will differ.

Last year Brazil decided to reinstate their visa requirements for travelers from various countries, including the United States. The Brazilian government has now extended the grace period before which you will need a visa for leisure or business travel until April 10, 2024.

Is it safe to go fishing in Mexico? Check out this clip from Matt Pangrac on Bass Talk Live to get his thoughts after his first trip to Lake El Salto.

Matt Pangrac of Bass Talk Live made his first visit to Lake El Salto in December of 2023. He’s sorry that he waited so long. Here are some tips of pieces of key info for fellow travelers.

Flight options for anglers headed to Sport Fishing Panama Island Lodge continue to increase. While United hasn’t added new routes to Panama, they’ve increased their capacity. Earlier this year they raised the number of Newark-Tocumen flights from seven to nine weekly. Now they’re increasing the daily number of flights from their Houston hub to and from Tocumen.

With the addition of direct routes between several US Cities and Mexican hubs – notably Mexico City – Aeromexico is now an option for even more anglers headed to a Mexican fishing vacation. Here’s more info that may make your decision to fly with them easier.

Mix equal parts of grit, grime, rust and ridicule, add a splash of industrial discharge and a squirt of municipal effluent, and you have the cocktail that clouds the attitude much of bassin’ America has about the upper Ohio River. Nevertheless, Jack Wollitz is part of the river rat pack.

Veteran tournament angler Todd Sages and his wife MaryAnn made trip #2 to El Salto. Here’s what Todd had to say about November fishing and the overall Anglers Inn experience.

The year flew by, and as we look back we had some amazing adventures to some of our favorite destinations — new and old, fishing and otherwise. Relive them in this brief summary of all of the fun and frequent flyer miles.

Sometimes either by choice or by necessity you may need to go on a bucket list angling trip by yourself. Here are some tips, options and strategies for the solo angler to get a great experience at a reasonable price.

Copa is the main airline for heading into Panama for a fishing trip. When you join us at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge (or various other places in Central America) they may be your best bet.

The goal at the start of your trip should be to get one bite, put one fish in the boat, and then build from there. Each additional success adds confidence, releases pressure, and increases your awareness of how to do things correctly.

We’ve offered you lots of pieces about how to choose the best rod tubes, how to pack them, and how to protect and preserve your other valuable fishing gear for air travel. For the most part we’ve been lucky about getting it home unscathed. Still, we’re always on the lookout for more advice, so we’ve turned to other sports.

While there’s always a chance of a “last minute special,” if you want to be assured that you’ll fish the best waters at the best times with the most reliable and skilled outfitters, it pays to book early.

We can’t control whether the fish bite or how big they are, but we can ensure that you have the best chance of a great trip. Here are five things we WON’T DO under any circumstances. Our goal is to make sure that the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is everything you’d hoped, or to make sure that trip number 200 is the best one ever.

Ohio fishing — other than Lake Erie — tends to get a bad rap. Veteran outdoor writer Jack Wollitz dispels some of the myths and guides you to the better bass fisheries in the Buckeye State.

Aeromexico and partner Delta Airlines are increasing their commitment to transborder flights which should provide more (and possibly cheaper) options to US anglers headed to catch their personal best bass.

Hector Garate of Palmira Barbecue borrows from various cuisines to create a barbecue that’s all his own. I enjoyed it on a recent trip to South Carolina with the team from Free Fly Apparel.