The Palomar Knot might be the most frequently-used knot among serious bass anglers. Even if they don’t use it to affix a lure to the line, they almost certainly use it to attach their dropshot hook. It’s easy to tie and exceptionally strong. If you want something even stronger, consider the Double Palomar.

I’ve always been a big fan of professional fishing, but professional wrestling doesn’t move the needle. Nevertheless, if you combined the two and got “trucha libre” it might be more appealing to those of us who love the outdoors.

Dan Smith has written a fishing travel book that makes me jealous — not just for the amazing places he’s gone before me, but also for his unique attitude and perspective that he brings to the process.

Wherever we fish and there’s aquatic vegetation there tend to be coots. They’re awkward birds, and as Bill Lowen found out, they can also be a hazard to your health, in which case you might be driven to drink. If and when that happens, there are a bunch of coot-themed beers ready to go.

Until recently we did not know about Dip Net Live Bait and Tackle, right on the Detroit River, south of downtown, and almost due east of the airport. They’ve gained some notoriety with their signature gear advertising the city as Pound Town.

Roosterfish have quickly become one of our favorite species to target. We still intend to get Hanna a replica when she catches a true trophy, but if that day doesn’t come soon we might have to invest in some alternate artwork, like these metal pieces.

I’ll admit that it’s an unfair form of fish bigotry that I’ve never considered blue catfish as a desirable species for a replica mount. We typically don’t target them, but one time that we did we had a blast and caught eight of them between 32 and 59 pounds.

When you decide to get a fish replica, there are several decisions you should not take lightly. First, you want to choose the right artist – someone who is reliable, has the right mold, and does quality work at a fair price. After that, however, it comes down to getting the particular piece of art that fits your needs.

De Kromme Haring in the Netherlands offers a Chopique Belgian Tripel – “A big and warming beer with hints of banana, vanilla, almond paste and citrus peel. A perfective digestive after a festive meal or for a cozy night in on a winter night.”

I’m not great at bed fishing, but it’s something I look forward to every year, and I feel accomplished when I manage to fool one. One way to get better is to pick the brain of a sight fishing guru like Elite Series pro Drew Benton.

I’ve taken three Alaska halibut trips. I enjoy it for two reasons: the fish grow huge and they’re my favorite cold water species to eat. If we imbibe when chasing barn doors it’s usually beer, but if you’re looking for something more thematically-appropriate, consider these options.

I really want to shoot a turkey, but in order to make that happen I had to learn some shotgun basics. Todd Wright of Wright Way Shooting got me headed in the proper direction.

Here on the Potomac, snakeheads are here to stay. I find that they’ve become tougher to catch – at least when I’m targeting them – but I see some on just about every trip. If you’re intrigued by old snakey, you should be aware that the news about their various types and locations keeps on coming.

Catching your biggest largemouth bass is nothing short of electric. It’s the kind of moment that makes time slow down — your heart’s pounding, hands are shaking, and for a second, it’s just you and that fish, and you just hope you get her in the boat.

Despite being one of the most majestic and distinctive fish we’ve caught, I don’t feel like many people consider an Arctic Grayling as a prime candidate for the wall. That’s a mistake, because grayling punch above their weight and stand out in a crowd.

I wish I liked cigars more, because I think they befit my curmudgeonly appearance and attitude. I smoke one every few years, and tend to enjoy them, even if I don’t know much about them. They seem like a great way to celebrate an exceptional day on the water.

While there were plenty of boats, swimbaits and clothing at the Bassmaster Classic Expo, the one product that might interest our fellow travelers most was in Matt Robertson’s booth – Picture Me 3D photos. They produce high-definition photos of you with your trophy fish – and the fish protrudes out in three-dimensions.

Kurt Dove is one of the busiest and most diversified businessmen in the bass fishing industry, but I believe his best idea was his Pro Bass Camp. This year they’ll have sessions on Amistad, Toledo Bend and Oneida. If you want to attend, or you know a kid who needs to go, there still may be some spots left.

I’ve enjoyed cataloguing my favorite taxidermy from SCI events. I’m not necessarily looking for the biggest, baddest or most coveted species. If you’re looking for conventional whitetails, moose and bears, I’m not your guy, but if you like the oddities, check out what stood out to me in Nashville.

We’re hoping that 2025 is the year of the marlin for Half Past First Cast. To get in the mood, I’ve been noodling around with some hat designs. I’m expecting the Cabo trip to be our best chance to whack on ‘em, so I’ve leaned heavily on the striped marlin, but a blue or black would be absolutely fine.