In Europe, carp are revered. There’s an industry built around them with major tournaments. Here in America, though, they’re often considered one step up from rough fish. Anglers on both continents can agree that beer is good, however, and surprisingly there are some dedicated to old buglelips.

While searching for crankbait tattoos, I found a tattoo of Heddon’s “Big Bud Lure.”. To Americans, it might seem like a snarky or nostalgic choice, but to many Japanese anglers it is serious business – it has a cult following there, so it’s shouldn’t necessarily be a surprise that someone committed to it forever.

Unbox an alligator skull with us and learn why Grosse Savanne Lodge offers one of the most accessible, unforgettable hunting adventures—even for complete beginners.

Dating back at least to the Papa Hemingway days, offshore fishing and alcoholic spirits have been closely linked. You don’t need to be inebriated to enjoy it, there’s nothing wrong with a celebratory drink or two. You can elebrate in a species-appropriate manner —here are some options.

A Louisiana alligator hunt at Grosse Savanne Lodge is an epic outdoors experience — and one you can remember forever with a hide from Mark Staton’s team. Ask us how to go on a gator hunt of your own!

A marlin is still Hanna’s dream fish, and we hope to fix that when we fish Mag Bay. I’m considering pulling out all of the stops to make sure she gets her chance, including dressing like one. Check out the following board shorts and swim trunks options.

Many of my fellow traveling anglers start off being serious bass fishermen, then taste peacock bass in Brazil, and subsequently head even further south to places like Argentina or Uruguay to chase Golden Dorado. We’ll get there, and if manage to catch a trophy, I might just have to get a replica.

When I finally caught a replica-worthy musky, it was a pure strain that Hanna had replicated as a surprise gift. I’m thrilled with it, even if I think tiger muskies are sometimes prettier. If and when I catch a big tiger, maybe we’ll add one to the wall.

On our trips out of Seward, Alaska, we’ve caught some lingcod – a semi-hideous species that we’re told tastes great. We’ve never caught a giant, but even if we did I’m not sure that we’d consider one for a replica, but apparently some people do, because there are some great examples out there.

When Hanna does finally end her marlin virginity, she may reject my idea to commemorate that moment with a billfish tattoo. If that’s the case – and I suspect it will be – perhaps we’ll just toast. Here are a handful of the liquors that might be appropriate.

There’s no prettier fish in the ocean than a mahi mahi, and not surprisingly plenty of swimsuit manufacturers have picked up on that. If you’re looking to make a splash on your next offshore trip, at the beach, or even around your backyard pool, consider one of these.

The aptly-named Bowfin Fanatics doesn’t just include a few shirts or hats as an afterthought. They’ve built the brand around choupique superiority. Motto: “My bowfin can eat your bass.”

The Robbins family spends a lot of time thinking about marlin, and we love nothing more than a warm-weather vacation where we can get in the water. Why not combine the two? These women’s swimsuits and bikinis show off your billfish passion and a little bit of skin.

Our 2016 trip to Africa would’ve been life-changing even if we hadn’t fished, but it was made better by our days chasing tigerfish on the Zambezi River. It was HOT, topping out at 114 degrees. We constantly hydrated with water, but when we headed back to the lodge to celebrate we might’ve had a beer.

I’ve caught lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and cutbow trout, but despite the fact that there are brook trout almost in my backyard, I’ve never caught any. Whether to get a replica is a deeply personal decision. They’re one of the most beautiful fish around when they’re all lit up, so maybe someday one will end up on my wall.

There’s something about smallmouth bass that keeps even the most seasoned anglers wanting another cast. I previously shared the stories of the pros’ personal best largemouths. Now, let’s hear the tales of their biggest smallmouths. Get ready to measure your personal best against the best in the game.

As we get ready for Baja in November, I know that I don’t need any souvenirs other than memories of big fish, but I’ll likely try to find something tangible as well. Maybe it’ll be a piece of wall art, or a hat, but there’s a decent chance I’ll add to my ever-growing t-shirt collection.

Various species of tropical wrasses rank high on my bucket list of species, but I had no idea that there’d be beers named after them. Trout? Sure. Marlin? Of course? Tarpon? They drive people to drink. But wrasses seemed like a stretch. Nevertheless, the beer manufacturers have indeed gone there.

We’ve dreamed about Giant Trevally since seeing the video of Geets eating Sooty Terns. We’ve caught some bluefin trevally and learned about other members of the genus Caranx. They’re a known commodity in the areas they inhabit, and many countries have immortalized them on postage stamps.

I’ve gotten paid for my outdoor writing for over two decades. You can debate whether the tax system is fair, but no one can dispute that it’s here and it’s complicated, and if you don’t comply you can get in a world of hurt. Here are tips for freelancers.