I like it when the Bassmaster Classic visits Lake Hartwell. Not only is it a great tournament venue and one of the closest Classic locations to home (just an 8 hour drive), but it also gives me an opportunity to visit one of America’s great local tackle shops: Lake Hartwell Fishing and Marine.

The Dallas Safari Club convention was at times overwhelming – the biggest trade show I’ve ever attended, with all sorts of exoticism pulling me in 12 directions at once. More than anything, though, it was the taxidermy that stood out to me. Here are some of the ones that stood out.

If you like to fish and you like jewelry, why not combine those passions? I’ve picked up fishy pieces (both pricey and inexpensive) all over the world to remind us of our travels and our on the water exploits.

The Robbins households are all havens for immaturity. Every family member, from the youngest to the oldest, laughs when the ketchup bottle “farts.” We’re all veterans of the “pull my finger” routine. I may have taken it to another level, barely managing to stifle a laugh whenever my fishing partner says “stick it in that bush.”

I had so much fun writing about Cliff Outdoors fly boxes adorned with roosterfish that I’ve continued to spend hours upon hours combing through Instagram. Not surprisingly, a great number of angling artists have used these perfect palettes to paint or draw their favorite species. Many have chosen peacock bass at their subjects.

If you’re looking for a quick and clear book on where and when to fish the Pacific side of Central America, Ray Rychnovsky’s “Fishing Guide to Central America’s Prolific Pacific” is a good place to start.

I’ve already outlined some of the big-ticket, non-negotiable rules that’ll help you get more work and complete it more efficiently, but here are seven more that have really helped me build my outdor writing career. They’re not exactly secrets, but ignore them at your own peril.

In Panama, some of the charter boats work together with the commercial boats, making use of makeshift fish aggregating devices to catch monster yellowfin tuna.

In my search for fishing art, I’ve repeatedly come across the yellow fly boxes made by Cliff Outdoors. Their yellow exterior lends itself particularly well to artwork. Normally that consists of trout or tarpon or redfish or some other more widely-spread species, but I’ve also found plenty with great renderings of Pez Gallo.

Part of the fun of tuna fishing is that you later eat the suckers, but getting there requires that you stick a gaff in ‘em and then bleed ‘em out – and bleed they do, a seemingly endless red stream. Several clothing companies have recognized this and have taken both lighthearted and practical ways of dealing with it.

Leroy Boss booked four days of fishing with Hill Country Hammer Guides and was rewarded with the trip of a lifetime – a 13-03 largemouth on Day One, and a 12-10 on Day Four. He commemorated the experience with an unbelievable table mount of the two bass, along with myriad other critters and habitat.

Our good friends Ray and Sandee Heredia are movers and shakers in the fishing world, multi-species traveling freaks like us, and just all-around great people. They had the opportunity last summer to film an episode of “A Fishing Story with Ronnie Green.” It’ll air January 24th at 12:30 EST on the Outdoor Channel. If you can’t be home to watch it, set your DVR.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with asking a friend, guide, outfitter or tackle shop for a taxidermist referral. Sometimes the referral might even get you a discount. Just make sure that you know what you’re getting and don’t be rushed into any decisions or expenditures.

During our most recent trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge, Hanna and I both caught bluefin trevally. Pictures do not do justice to their vibrant blue streaks, spots and splotches. They may not be a “bucket list” species for many anglers, so I was surprised to find that you can nevertheless get clothing that replicates their colors.

In the Robbins house we are constantly thinking about the next meal, or even the next meal after that. I guess you could call us foodies. We are willing to try almost anything. Of course, some meals stand out more than others. In a year full of great dining, both at home and on the road, here are some of my favorites.

If you can’t be on the water but you’re obsessed with tournament fishing, consider picking up one of these books that shaped and reported on the sport of professional bass angling.

Hulk Hogan, William “The Refrigerator” Perry and Pete Robbins — as far as we know, only one of them has fished for tuna in Panama.

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.

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.

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.