I attempt to maximize my vacation time (and carry some over) every year. In the interest of full transparency, here’s what I did in 2024. It was a great year, although I can always do better.

We’re hosting a fishing trip at Grosse Savanne Lodge south of Lake Charles, Louisiana, from May 24-27., 2025. Bass or saltwater, or both! Email us if you’d like more information.

Most of our Atlanta-area visitors to Panama have understandably relied on Delta for their flights when headed to Tocumen. Now there’s competition on that route, and hopefully create some price competition. Copa will provide direct flights between the two cities.

Prior to our visit to Lake Atitlan, I got it in my head that the lake held no gamefish, and certainly not bass — but after visiting I’m not so sure. There are signs of “lobina” all around.

If you’re headed to one of the great Mexican bass lakes like El Salto or Picachos, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be flying through Mazatlán. There’s also a pretty good chance you’ll want to bring some of your own fishing tackle. We provide links to the baggage policies of those carriers that currently have service into Mazatlán.

We made what might have seemed like an unlikely choice for our Lake Atitlan accommodations, but the vegetarian eco resort turned out to be the quiet and authentic scenario that we craved.

Our friends Carl and Lisa Vicars recently joined us for three days at Casa Vieja Lodge and they timed their visit perfectly – during a November period when the sailfish were close by and ravenous. Carl is a wizard with his 360 camera and always put together three short videos.

We had less than three full days to make the most out of our stopover at Lake Atitlan. We saw a lot, ate a lot, drank our share, and truly enjoyed the experience. Guatemala is an amazing country with a lot to offer and we intend to go back again and again and again.

Our November 2024 trip to Casa Vieja Lodge and Lake Atitlan was complicated but fairly uneventful. We hope that these notes will help others streamline their trips and avoid mistakes.

The sailfish are what bring us to Casa Vieja Lodge, but the food is every bit as much of a reason to visit. There’s a four-course dinner. For those of you who thrive on mealtimes, here’s what we had for dinner during our most recent stay.

Despite a weather system in the area, our fifth trip to Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala produced exceptional sailfish numbers. We released 66 over three fishing days.

Ron Zich pivoted and made an early November trip to Anglers Inn Lake Picachos — here’s what’s working now, what you need to bring, and some key tips for your first visit of many.

We’ve now been to Grosse Savanne twice and it’s my sincere hope that we’ll be back many more times. Out of the marsh there rises a first-class lodge with superior fishing and hunting. Here are four additional reasons to make it the site of your next adventure.

Sometimes the key to success is NOT making a cast into the next time zone. You'll learn more lessons by targeting and fighting fish in close quarters.

Every trip to Casa Vieja Lodge is a world-class experience, but I have nine ways you can ensure that it’s beyond compare. Check out these little tips that make a big difference.

Some anglers traveling to Panama may prefer to bring their own fishing gear. We decided to have fun on our last trip by chasing tuna with bass gear and matching topwaters. That means it pays to know what you can bring on the various airlines that service Tocumen (PTY).

Some of you may be experienced offshore anglers, who know the drill, but if you’re a first-timer, it pays to slow things down. While the captains and mates are willing and talented teachers, if you wait until you’re actually out on the water and sailfish are in the spread, it’ll be too much chaos to maximize your enjoyment and success.

If you’re traveling to the Brazilian Amazon to chase peacock bass, you’re probably going through the city of Manaus. You’ll probably want to bring some of your own tackle, even if you’re using an outfitter like Anglers Inn that provides everything you need. If you want to make sure your luggage gets there and back, we’ve listed the relevant airlines’ policies.

I’m a complete convenience store fanatic and we appear to be living in the golden era of jerky, sandwiches and to-go cups of coffee. But Buc-ee’s turns up the fever to 11. I think it’s worth a slight deviation from the most direct route.

If you don't want to spend a day in Panama City, we can get you to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge via a charter flight on Elevair. It's remarkably efficient and not unreasonably priced.