Five Favorite Non-Blog Fishing Articles I Wrote in 2021

I write a lot. Four columns (sometimes five) a week for this blog, at least two for Yamamoto, a weekly piece for The Bass University, and as many freelance gigs as I can get. While there are occasional evenings when I’m not able to focus on the task, I’ve developed a pretty good system for cranking out content. I would say that there are more days when I can’t wait to finish my day job and start writing than there are days where I dread having to write. While I may never feel a “runner’s high,” when I put out something meaningful or pithy I get that same sort of satisfaction. 

I believe that in 2021 I wrote more than ever before. That makes it hard to pick out favorites, but excluding my Half Past First Cast catalog here are five pieces that I particularly liked. 

5 Bass-Fishing Lessons I Learned From Other Species (Field & Stream)

As my multispecies obsession has grown in recent years, I believe it has made me a better bass angler, even if I spend less total time chasing them. From trout to tuna, every species has something (usually many things) in common with others, and does certain things better. Bass fishing will always be my tether point to the sport, but anglers who stay exclusively in one silo are doing themselves a disservice.

Off-the-Water Steps to Becoming a Better Angler (In-Fisherman)

I know that I’ll never be able to dropshot like Ehrler or burn a spinnerbait like KVD, for reasons both known and unknown. In truth, I’m just a decent bass fisherman, but what I lack in technical skills and time on the water has been enhanced by my ability to make the most of the skills that I do hold. For example, I have a great memory, and I use that to my advantage every time out. I’ve resolved to work on my posture and physical fitness in ’22.

Don’t Drive Your Boat Like an Idiot (MeatEater)

The original title used “Dumbass” instead of “Idiot” but I can’t quibble with my editors at MeatEater who generally give me pretty wide latitude on topics and NSFW language. I stand behind everything I say here – it’ll help you protect your boat and avoid killing someone (including yourself), but I was pretty thrilled when multiple social media commenters called me a “Karen.”

Welcome to the Gasmaster Classic (Bassmaster)

Because I didn’t get to go to the Bassmaster Classic this year (first one I’ve missed since ’07), it looked like I wouldn’t get to cover any BASS events. Lucky for me, my friend Craig Lamb had a conflict at the time of the Northern Open on the James River and asked me to sub. It was a tournament that was going to require many competitors to make long runs, and it coincided with a perceived gas supply shortage. I like the stories that are less about “how are you going to catch them?” and more about “what the hell is going on this week?”

Pierce Looks Back as Bass Cat Marks 50 Years (BassFan)

I make no secret of the fact that I’m a BCB fanboy. I’ve owned five of them and hopefully have a sixth coming relatively soon. Rick Pierce is iconoclastic, opinionated and accomplished and the best part of this was not that I got to share his story, but rather than I got to spend an hour plus on the phone listening to him tell uncensored stories of the old days.