Stuff We Like Inspired by our Travel
Fishing should be fun. Part of that is art and food and other things that don't put fish in the boat, but nevertheless make you enjoy the process more.
Who Bent it Best?
Hulk Hogan, William “The Refrigerator” Perry and Pete Robbins — as far as we know, only one of them has fished for tuna in Panama.
Spreadsheets Will Make You a Better Outdoor Writer
Even if you're a non-techie or not very business minded, your writing business will improve if you learn to use a simple spreadsheet. Microsoft Excel helps me stay organized. I don't miss deadlines and I make sure that I get paid.
Five Favorite Non-Blog Fishing Articles I Wrote in 2021
I believe that in 2021 I wrote more than ever before. That makes it hard to pick out favorites, but excluding my Half Past First Cast catalog here are five pieces that I particularly liked.
Unregrettable
One of the most famous quotations in sports mythology and inspirational meme-world is Wayne Gretzky’s “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.” It’s true that once an opportunity has gone by that particular window has closed. As such, I have certain regrets in my fishing career, but none of them can’t be fixed.
Bass Tackle in Ditka’s Backyard
On a recent trip to the Chicago suburbs, I visited Angler’s International Resources, a top notch tackle store for hard core bass anglers. Make an effort to get there the next time you’re in the Windy City.
How to Order a Fiberglass Fish Replica
A fiberglass replica from a reputable taxidermist is a great way to celebrate a memorable catch, but if you’re not careful you may end up disappointed. Do your due dilligence and you can celebrate that trophy forever.
Panama Poker
A triple is always a good thing. Here are two examples of three of a kind from the Gulf of Chiriquí. Which hand would force you to push all of your chips to the center of the table?
Peacock Bass Questions You Were Afraid to Ask – Everything Explained
Everything you need to know about peacock bass fishing — plus how to plan your first trip, whether it's in the USA or heading to one of Brazil’s Amazon lodges for the ultimate adventure.
Tattoo Tuesday: Cat Got Your Tongue?
I’ve seen some great catfish mounts across the country. Upon a little bit of examination, I’ve also noticed that there are lots of catfish tattoos out there. Here are some of my favorites.
The Best Tuna Poke Recipe EVER
My first question when we returned to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge was whether Chef Eddie would teach me to make his incredible tuna poke. Now you can make it at home with this simple tutorial and recipe.
Best Fishing Travel Snacks
When you travel by air to a distant fishing destination, you may have to go a long time between meals — or you may dislike some of what is served. Be sure to bring appropriate and legal snacks in your baggage to avoid emergencies.
Sportyfish Shirts Deliver Style
Old Mark Zuckerberg apparently knows what he is doing, because one of my targeted ads last year hit me square between the temples and lured me in: Sportyfish shirts from Singapore. Their catalog reads like a “who’s who” of my bucket list fish – peacock bass, giant trevally, yellowfin tuna, sailfish and others.
How Do You Know You're Ready to Buy an RV?
How will we know if we can live in a 5th wheel six months out of the here? Furthermore, how will we know what features we want in our “home on wheels”? We got to test drive the Morgenthalers’ Grand Design. Here’s my report.
Fishing and Travel Links for Your Early November Enjoyment
As we head off for Round Two at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge, we’re keeping our eyes out for links that may interest our audience. I’m a reader by nature and my Google Discover feed is…well, let’s just say, a little odd. Here are five SFW nuggets we think that our readers will like.
Fishing Dreams in Living Color
While I have had great fun catching many fish that were objectively ugly—giant Alaskan halibut, Potomac River catfish and Brazilian wolf fish immediately come to mind—there is something particularly gratifying about catching a species that’s all lit up with vibrant colors, the type that no camera can fully capture. Here are four that occupy my “hit list.”
Links to Employers Who Value Vacation
The pandemic has put employees in the driver’s seat, allowing them to demand a more favorable work-life balance. It has also made it clear that many of us can work from anywhere. Not every employer buys into that belief system, but you can find examples of employers who encourage their trusted staff to work hard and play hard.
A Lakebound Security Blanket Worth the Fight
We’ve been thrilled with numerous products from Lakebound, including barrel ends, shirts and mugs, so on our recent trip to Missouri we brought our friends Chad and Debbie Morgenthaler a Lakebound blanket with an image of Table Rock Lake, their home waters. Their marriage may never be the same.
Dave Mansue’s Elk Diane
Not only did Dave Mansue harvest a magnificent West Texas elk with the assistance of True Grit Outfitters, but he allowed us to enjoy the fruits of his hard work on a recent trip to Missouri. After enjoying an appetizer of ground elk ravioli, we hit the main course: Steak Diane.
A Visit to Bait WrX – Springfield, Missouri
Bait WrX in Springfield, Missouri is a premier bass tackle shop with specialty gear including regional staples and high-end glide baits. It was my first stop after picking up my rental car at the airport.
Get the Hint, Get 15% Off of an Engraved Gift
At HPFC world headquarters, our walls overfloweth with pictures of our most memorable trips and experiences. They remind us why we work so hard to make those journeys happen. The tough part of the deal is that after a while all of the memories get lost in a sea of glossy prints. That’s why we love our wood piece from Hint’s Laser Engraving.

