I had so much fun writing about Cliff Outdoors fly boxes adorned with roosterfish that I’ve continued to spend hours upon hours combing through Instagram. Not surprisingly, a great number of angling artists have used these perfect palettes to paint or draw their favorite species. Many have chosen peacock bass at their subjects.

If you’re looking for a quick and clear book on where and when to fish the Pacific side of Central America, Ray Rychnovsky’s “Fishing Guide to Central America’s Prolific Pacific” is a good place to start.

I’ve already outlined some of the big-ticket, non-negotiable rules that’ll help you get more work and complete it more efficiently, but here are seven more that have really helped me build my outdor writing career. They’re not exactly secrets, but ignore them at your own peril.

In Panama, some of the charter boats work together with the commercial boats, making use of makeshift fish aggregating devices to catch monster yellowfin tuna.

In my search for fishing art, I’ve repeatedly come across the yellow fly boxes made by Cliff Outdoors. Their yellow exterior lends itself particularly well to artwork. Normally that consists of trout or tarpon or redfish or some other more widely-spread species, but I’ve also found plenty with great renderings of Pez Gallo.

Part of the fun of tuna fishing is that you later eat the suckers, but getting there requires that you stick a gaff in ‘em and then bleed ‘em out – and bleed they do, a seemingly endless red stream. Several clothing companies have recognized this and have taken both lighthearted and practical ways of dealing with it.

Leroy Boss booked four days of fishing with Hill Country Hammer Guides and was rewarded with the trip of a lifetime – a 13-03 largemouth on Day One, and a 12-10 on Day Four. He commemorated the experience with an unbelievable table mount of the two bass, along with myriad other critters and habitat.

Our good friends Ray and Sandee Heredia are movers and shakers in the fishing world, multi-species traveling freaks like us, and just all-around great people. They had the opportunity last summer to film an episode of “A Fishing Story with Ronnie Green.” It’ll air January 24th at 12:30 EST on the Outdoor Channel. If you can’t be home to watch it, set your DVR.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with asking a friend, guide, outfitter or tackle shop for a taxidermist referral. Sometimes the referral might even get you a discount. Just make sure that you know what you’re getting and don’t be rushed into any decisions or expenditures.

During our most recent trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge, Hanna and I both caught bluefin trevally. Pictures do not do justice to their vibrant blue streaks, spots and splotches. They may not be a “bucket list” species for many anglers, so I was surprised to find that you can nevertheless get clothing that replicates their colors.

In the Robbins house we are constantly thinking about the next meal, or even the next meal after that. I guess you could call us foodies. We are willing to try almost anything. Of course, some meals stand out more than others. In a year full of great dining, both at home and on the road, here are some of my favorites.

If you can’t be on the water but you’re obsessed with tournament fishing, consider picking up one of these books that shaped and reported on the sport of professional bass angling.

Hulk Hogan, William “The Refrigerator” Perry and Pete Robbins — as far as we know, only one of them has fished for tuna in Panama.

Even if you're a non-techie or not very business minded, your writing business will improve if you learn to use a simple spreadsheet. Microsoft Excel helps me stay organized. I don't miss deadlines and I make sure that I get paid.

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.

One of the most famous quotations in sports mythology and inspirational meme-world is Wayne Gretzky’s “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.” It’s true that once an opportunity has gone by that particular window has closed. As such, I have certain regrets in my fishing career, but none of them can’t be fixed.

On a recent trip to the Chicago suburbs, I visited Angler’s International Resources, a top notch tackle store for hard core bass anglers. Make an effort to get there the next time you’re in the Windy City.

A fiberglass replica from a reputable taxidermist is a great way to celebrate a memorable catch, but if you’re not careful you may end up disappointed. Do your due dilligence and you can celebrate that trophy forever.

A triple is always a good thing. Here are two examples of three of a kind from the Gulf of Chiriquí. Which hand would force you to push all of your chips to the center of the table?

Do you have basic questions about fishing for peacock bass? Unsure of why so many anglers are so anxious to travel into the jungle to catch them? Here’s a chance to learn some basic info about the species and the various fisheries.