Ace instructor Chad Morgenthaler of Future Cast Academy taught me Livescope and now when Pete asks if I want to run the trolling motor he may be surprised at my answer. Check out what it looks like and all the fun we had finding and catching fish. Contact Chad for a personalized lesson.

Since I started fishing 18 years ago, I've had lots of polarized sunglasses, but always chose them with an eye on fashion versus function. Lately, thought, I've realized that when it comes to performance there's "more than meets the eye." I decided to ask a panel of accomplished female anglers which shades they wear and why.

I lied last week when I said that I was done shopping for our trip to Lake of the Woods. Since then Pete and I celebrated our anniversary, and since we have everything that we need, we didn’t exchange gifts. Instead, we spent a day together, which included a few hours at a local outlet mall. We didn’t buy much, but I found a couple of really nice things that are perfect for the trip.

I have been to Canada a few times: Toronto, Ontario, Lake St. Clair, and Montreal. Next up we are going to Ontario to fish at Ballard’s Black Island Lodge for walleye, musky, northern pike, smallmouth and more. I’ve been packing for weeks and I have three new items I am bringing. Let me know what you think.

In March of this year, I wrote that when I returned to Anglers Inn El Salto in June I was going to back to the basics. I’m proud to say that I followed through on that plan. Perhaps that is just the way we fished or what the fish were eating. Or maybe I finally listened to my conscience and did what I said I was going to do to prove a point.

I might never get the chance to walk the red carpet but I am going to do everything I can to look darn good riding down the lake. Academy Sports has a lot of quality products at reasonable prices and I wish we had one near home. During a trip to Lake El Salto I tried out some of their gear to see if it met my standards for being both fashionable and functional.

Even if you live hundreds of miles from the ocean, you’ve probably seen signs of Salt Life on the backs of various vehicles. If you’ve always wondered what that meant, you should know that this “lifestyle brand” makes lots of women’s fishing clothing that is breathable, UV protective and flattering – something that is not always easy to find in one package.

On our recent trip to Islamorada, Florida, we tested out Gill’s new XPEL Tec line of shirts. The various tops in this lineup feature Gill’s plant-based XPEL finish and high UV (50+) protection. The shirts are lightweight, wick moisture away from the skin and have flat locked seams for comfort. The XPEL finish consists of water repellency, stain resistance and odor control.

Post a picture of an impressive fish on Facebook or Instagram and you’re likely to get two questions: “How big was it?” and “What did you catch it on?” Here are some answers from Brazil, Alaska, Mexico and Africa, the lures that produced by personal bests.

We’re headed back to Lake El Salto this June and I’m going back to the basics. On several of my last trips I decided that I wanted to try a bunch of new baits and I wasn’t going to stop fishing with a particular bait until it caught a fish. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. Now it’s time to go all-in on five lures that I feel are a sure thing.

We’ve fished El Salto just about every January since 2013 and this year we found it to be more of a struggle than usual. The moon was full and the weather was cooler than normal and the fishing wasn’t up to its overall consistency. Luckily our group made precise adjustments to increase the bite.

Isn't catching a 10-pounder every bass angler’s dream? I’ve come close again and again and again, but can never quite legitimately hit that mark on the scale. My best is 9-12. Still, I’m convinced that it’ll happen sooner rather than later, so as long as I’m planning, I’m also allowing myself to daydream about how I’ll catch my trophy.

When do you find out that your waterproof rain jacket isn’t waterproof any longer? Unfortunately, it takes a good soaking rain to make that realization. When it recently came time to replace my green Marmot rain jacket that has been around the world, I went with a surprising model from Gill.

On our recent trip to Panama, Captain Juan Diego opened this mini-Pelican case took his morning video, put the phone back in the foam slot and snapped the case back together before getting on the boat and throwing the case on the console. Guess what came in the mail this weekend? That’s right, two Pelican Go G40 cases.

Believe it or not it’s the holidays again and if you are like most you haven’t purchased all your gifts yet. Let me help you with some great ideas for any fishing fanatic, frequent traveler, or any Joe Bag of Donuts, including yourself. Here are some travel-tested recommendations that you might not have considered.

Each time we go to Anglers Inn I try to take new lures, either baits we don’t get to use on our home waters or baits where I need to improve the presentation so I can catch more fish. We’re headed back to Lake El Salto in January. Come with my on my pegboard shopping spree.

We’re returning to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge seven months after our inaugural visit. I have some new gear to wear and otherwise test out, and I’m looking to get better at both the inshore and offshore popping bite.

I like trinkets but I also like them to be useful, particularly when it comes to travel. Every square inch of packing space matters, and I also want to protect all of my gear. Over time, I’ve learned about some inexpensive items that fit that description and now they go on virtually every trip.

Whether it’s Mexico, Brazil, Alaska, Panama or anywhere else, nothing in fishing beats the excitement of a brutal surface strike. Sometimes it’s so amazing that I even put down the rod to watch and photograph the action.

There are a variety of great rainsuits available for women from companies including BPS, AFTCO, Simms and Huk. Find the one that’s right for your body and the weather you’re likely to face.