The travel industry is constantly changing. Fortunately, there are a lot of great sites around the web that document and opine about travel trends. Few of them are fishing-specific, but many of their articles talk about issues that affect globetrotting anglers. Here are some recent ones worth sharing.

The best time to go on a fishing trip is “any time you can,” but that maxim doesn’t tell the whole story. Our plan has always been to fish “the best places at the best times.” When that’s not possible, how do you know whether it makes sense to spend your hard-earned cash (and energy and vacation time) to go during an off-peak period?

In case you cannot tell by now, I am obsessive about managing my vacation time. With a little bit of creativity I can take more trips than the average person, and that’s what I intend to do. Of course, 2021, like the year before it, was not normal.

I had no idea what to expect prior to attending the Dallas Safari Club Convention in Texas this past weekend. Hanna and I were given an opportunity to help a friend’s business at the show, and we jumped at the chance to enjoy this new experience. In many ways, it was an absolute eye-opener.

On our two trips to Panama we’ve purchased a package deal that includes “VIP” treatment that includes expedited passage through customs, drinks in a private lounge while you wait for your luggage, and transportation to and from the hotel. Everything they can control runs like a Swiss watch, with no hiccups. But they truly proved valuable when a problem occurred.

It’s been a tough couple of years for the airlines, and even worse for anglers headed to Mexico. Between route reshuffling, delays and cancellations, no trip is safe, and few have been easy. American Airlines has taken the brunt of the blame, fairly or not. There may be a slight bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

When we returned from Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge in April, I was generally on a high, but a tad bit depressed because I did not land a roosterfish. Others in our group had accomplished that task, including the petite redheaded woman I live with. I’d caught roosters in Costa Rica in 1995, but that felt like it was so far in the past as not to count.

We run into our share of travel craziness, but generally we consider a trip successful if the logistics are unexceptional. There are plenty of people who think otherwise. As long as they’re not on my plane, or otherwise screwing with my journey, I’m happy to laugh with them or about them.

One of the most critical parts of arriving on a bucket list fishing trip – or any trip, for that matter – is being rested. You can’t perform up to your capabilities if you’re not mentally and physically sharp, and that starts with good sleep. World-class athletes know that more and better sleep helps and they work diligently to get the most out of it.

American Airlines flight options to Mazatlán have remained more or less stable since we started traveling to Anglers Inn, they’re far from ideal, and other carriers have been in and out of the space. Therefore we’re always looking for good news for our fellow traveling anglers. There may be an option coming from Allegiant and Viva Aerobus.

Introverts may need a recharge after time around people. Fishing provides social distancing, which makes it the perfect sport for us, but there are still key strategies on an angling trip to keep your energy up around people.

Given how populated and developed it is the Sunshine State still offers traveling fishermen and women a lot of bang for their buck: great bass fisheries are scattered throughout the state; there are peacocks in several counties; and of course the inshore and offshore options are numerous. Now there are new flights, too.

If you’re as anal and compulsive as I am about scheduling, you probably have some big trips planned for the long term future. I don’t mean the deposits-paid-written-in-ink kind of plan, but rather a general expectation of something to come.

After nearly 20 trips to Anglers Inn El Salto and Picachos, we tend to take some of the most basic details of the trip for granted. Nevertheless, we’ve used this website as a means of answering the most likely queries that you might have. Remember, there’s no such thing as a “dumb question” if it helps you have a better vacation.

I spent last weekend around Table Rock Lake, observing and writing about the Bass Pro Shops US Open National Bass Tournament. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the region, starting in 2011. I’ve also attended lots of bass tournaments over the years. Each one is different in its own ways. Here are 10 notes about the event:

The VIP travel schedule to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge puts you at the five-star Hilton in Panama City overnight so that you can leave for David bright and early the next morning. So, what do you do until then? You eat! This is where Half Past First Cast comes in handy. We bring a little fun and excitement, the little extras to help you remember your trip and make it more special.

In between long-distance fishing trips? Sitting at home? That doesn’t mean you can’t be using this time productively to get ready for the next incredible angling excursion. Here are five ways to make the most of your “down time.”

One of the complications of exotic fishing travel is both the cost and difficulty of getting to your destination country. One of the nice things about our trips to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge is that there are loads of direct flights to Panama City’s Tocumen Airport (PTY) from the United States (plus Toronto) every day.

When we came back from Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge in April, I was on a high, but also a little bit embarrassed – I’d let a 130 pound tuna get the best of me. I vowed to do better this time, but I didn’t envision a fish almost twice that big grabbing my bait.

One of the best times to go to Lake El Salto is during the winter months when it is cold at home and fishing has slowed down. Here are a list of pros and cons (mostly pros) to scheduling a trip to Anglers Inn International in Mexico in January.