We had no idea of what to expect from alligator hunting at Grosse Savanne Lodge in South Louisiana, but from start to finish it was exhilarating. Sometimes the best trips are the ones outside of your comfort zone.

We didn't know what to expect on our first alligator hunt at Grosse Savanne -- purchased in the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Auction. It was amazing and every outdoors fanatic needs to visit the sporting paradise of Louisiana.

I’d heard about Grosse Savanne’s bass fishing before I ever visited, notably from people like James Overstreet, who asked bluntly, “Why should I go all the way to Mexico when I can drive four hours down the road to Grosse Savanne and catch 100 bass a day, every day?” I’ve been around the block enough times to know that few things in fishing are ever as promised, but Grosse Savanne lived up to the hype.

With all of our focus on international travel, I feel that sometimes we give exceptional domestic venues the short end of the stick. Even though I’d heard about Grosse Savanne for many years, from people like Mark Zona and Keith Combs, with a clear path to Mexico I’d always discounted the statements of people like James Overstreet, who told me “Why the hell would I go to Mexico when I can just drive down to Grosse Savanne and catch just as many bass, or more?”

A lot of people ask me if I’m ever in the office. They see my social media feed – which, I’ll admit, distorts reality a bit because I never post from work – and think I’m always in exotic locations traveling to fish. I wish that was the case. I manage my vacation time very carefully. In fact, I’m quite stingy with it.