The backdrop that I built may seem like a haphazard group of epic fish and scenery pictures, but I used a great deal of purpose when I put it together. I wanted to tell HPFC’s story and show all of the people who have become our family over the course of our travels.

Capt. Juan Diego Gonzalez is only 32 years old, but he has the wisdom and experience of a captain twice that age, and he’s put me on several of my bucket list fish. That’s why I wanted to find out what makes him tick, and why he has seemingly boundless energy for his difficult job each day. Watch this video to hear about him in his own words.

The highlight of any trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge is of course the fishing — but thanks to Chef Eddie the food is a close second. In fact, it would be worth it to go there just to eat!

Besides lose weight and make sure I don’t get COVID, the same goals I have had for the last two years, I’ve added a few more to my list 2022. I think they’re obtainable, but not easy, so bear with me as I try to make them happen. Here are six that I’ll try to fulfill.

My 2021 was mostly good. We took calculated risks several times this year to explore our passion for travel. Half Past First Cast helped us enhance that effort, bringing likeminded people together virtually and to travel to places they might not have even known existed.

Your traveling companions can make or break the quality of an international fishing trip. We had a great group in Panama — they helped us establish a blueprint for mutual success and enjoyment.

Part of the fun of traveling to distant fishing destinations, especially ones that we’ve visited before, is living those experiences through others’ eyes. We were fortunate to be joined in Panama by Carl and Lisa Vicars. Carl saw a post that I made on Bass Boat Central, reached out, and booked two spots the next day. Making that even more impressive, it was their first time out of the country.

What inspires a gringo to move down to a Central American country, start a fishing lodge on a remote island, and build a life of nearly two decades there? Here’s Captain Shane Jarvis in his own words.

Many of the resorts we have fished have outstanding food with the signature touches of their chefs. Secluded on Isla Parida, Chef Eddie of Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge, Chef Eddie only has time to do two things: fish and cook. He’s really good at both.

Elliott Stark of FishTravelEat has lived several fishing lifetimes and he’s not even 40 years old. He’s become our all-purpose sounding board for global adventures dealing with billfish, tuna and other mean salty critters.