While I may not have matured as a human being, I believe that in recent years I’ve matured substantially as an angler. I’ve been fortunate in my life to catch lots of different finned freaks of nature, and now I get a thrill when a newcomer gets their shot. Accordingly, as I look back on our travels during 2022, I’m glad that I can recall others’ catches fondly.

Ray and Sandee Heredia were part of our six-person team that traveled to Panama. Making it even better not only did we get to travel together, eat and drink together, and laugh way too much, but I also got to fish with them one day, and the three of us tag-teamed a monstrous 130-pound yellowfin.