For someone who doesn’t get to fish nearly as much as I’d like, I have a lot of fishing rods. While there are plenty of workhorses that I’ve bought off the rack like the rest of you, there’s a trio that I use all the time that each have their own stories. They’re as much about the people who made them as they are about what it says on their labels.

After a one-year hiatus, ICAST was back in Orlando in 2021 and the overwhelmed tackle industry came out with guns blazing and all sorts of new products. Here are some of the ones that are aimed at traveling anglers, or that might benefit anglers making a long haul.

The Citrus Shad Fat Free Shad is a long term staple for Mexican largemouths, still producing long after it was introduced to the world by Bassmaster Classic winner in 1995. There’s just something about that color that makes ‘em mad. I’m not sure, then, why I’ve largely restricted its use to crankbaits that dive over 10 feet deep. Is there some science behind it, or is it just that I’m hidebound to tradition?

I still have lures that don’t get used unless it’s an important situation, and they never get loaned out. There will come a time and a place for all of them. I just hope that I’m neither too cautious nor too cavalier, and that when they’re eventually gone I can be satisfied that they lived up to their special purpose.

The rod that excited me most before our recent trip to Mexico was a Dobyns Rods Champion XP DC 795 SB, 7’9” and rated for 1 to 5 ounce lures. While I certainly hadn’t dialed in the big bait game in Mexico, I reasoned that part of the problem was not having the right gear—with the proper equipment I’d be more apt to confidently and efficiently chuck the big stuff around.

I want to try some new things on our upcoming trip to Anglers Inn El Salto. We’ve proven again and again down there that the Gary Yamamoto Senko is magic, but we always use the same colors. I wanted to test out if some different colors could help me get an edge. These are the three that I chose.

After many Google searches, I decided to purchase the Pelican Black 1510 case with TrekPak dividers and mesh lid organizer. It took a while to convince myself. Did I need something so expensive and “professional”? After pulling the trigger, setting it up and traveling to Panama the answer was clear: “Why didn’t I purchase this sooner?”

Sometimes at El Salto you can get more and bigger bites by having different lures than everyone else. You can also maximize your landing percentages in various ways. Here are three tweaks I may try on our next trip South of the Border to maximize my catch-and-land rate.

In addition to the peacock choppers that we’ve used so successfully in Brazil, Kermett also makes cup-mouthed poppers for species including Golden Dorado and tuna. After a couple of conversations, I ordered one each of two sizes: one with the flag of Panama and the other with the Half Past First Cast logo. Should we fish them????

We’re headed back to El Salto shortly, for our close-to-annual May/June offshore slugfest. My understanding is that the water is at unusually low levels, even for a time of year when it’s normally at its lowest. I’m hoping that bodes well for us. Despite my pledge to keep it basic, I can’t go South of the Border without at least trying a few new tackle items. Here are three of the ones I’m most excited about.

The captains we’ve fished with in places like Guatemala and Panama have a device in their boats specifically aimed at keeping big bait fresh – so whether you’re chasing marlin, big tuna, roosterfish or some other salty creature, you’ll always have the proper temptation.

Hanna and I weren’t going to miss out on the opportunity to stock our freezer with tuna, so prior to our trip to Panama we obtained a Yeti Hopper M30 Soft Cooler. It seemed to get the best overall reviews and have the greatest versatility and functionality for our purposes. Here’s how it fared.

In order to “listen” to your guide effectively, sometimes you need to know what questions to ask. They’ll often recommend specific lures in particular colors. Having the right lure is of course key, but if you don’t put it in the right places you’re just wasting your time. That’s why before making my first cast, I always ask, “Which way?”

Raised on a TV diet of Roland Martin hooksets, I knew that you had to try to drive steel through their brains, but apparently Hanna hadn’t watched the same shows and I wasn’t very good at explaining what to do. We both had to relearn setting the hook when we ventured to Guatemala and Panama.

Not everyone who travels to Lake El Salto or Lake Picachos has been fishing their entire lifetime. I know that it can be terrifying to think that everyone else will be an expert, and they’ll laugh at your lack of skills, but these lakes are actually the perfect vacation spot for any interested angler, whether they’re a pro or have not yet caught their first bass.

Historically, each new fishing trip has an opportunity or perhaps an excuse to go a little bit crazy at Tackle Warehouse. Even when I don't need ANYTHING, there's still an opportunity to shop productively for fishing clothing and accessories.

We’ve left tackle at Anglers Inn for several years and it has consistently been safe, well-kept and available upon arrival. Here are some strategies to ensure that’ll continue to be true – and also to be certain that it’s ready to fish when we get there. With a little bit of extra planning and effort, we save myself a lot of heartache and wasted time.

There are times at Lake El Salto when the fish are so thick and so hungry on a given spot that you can take your time casting to them and you can experience success with any casting angle. It’s not always that easy. Many times you have to hunt and peck to get things done.

As I’ve tirelessly researched the Japanese travel rod market, I’ve continued to unearth new brands and products – some exceptionally purposeful, some decidedly odd.

I’ve already written more than I ever thought possible not only about multi-piece fishing rods, but also about how to get them from Point A to Point Z. Whether you’re backpacking, flying, driving or riding a mule, if you arrive at your fishing destination with broken sticks it can be an absolute disaster. For most of us, a standard, non-descript, one-color tube or case will suffice, but if you like a little bit of style in your carrying mechanism – and you’re willing to spend a few extra dollars – there are higher-end options available.