I know that I can count on J.D. Blackburn for a good story tip, some constructive feedback, and most of all a welcoming smile. He’s a “fixer” who gets things done and then lets others claim the credit.

My 2021 was mostly good. We took calculated risks several times this year to explore our passion for travel. Half Past First Cast helped us enhance that effort, bringing likeminded people together virtually and to travel to places they might not have even known existed.

I’ve been fortunate to fish on some of the country’s best waters with some top pros and guides, but I always want more — here are five proven winners and the places I’d like to fish with them.

Paul Fisler seems to pop up everywhere there is something bass-related going on. There are plenty of people who would like to marshal Elite Series events, attend seminars and mingle with the top pros, but Paul is one of the few who’s actually out there getting it done.

I’ve never been big on motivational speakers and literature. While I’m sure some of them are very valuable and insightful, for each useful example I’m sure there are tanks full of snake oil. Whenever I see someone post something on social media like a meme about “the hustle,” I assume they’re either trying to signal some sort of virtue or convince themselves of their own work ethic.