Stuff We Like Inspired by our Travel
Fishing should be fun. Part of that is art and food and other things that don't put fish in the boat, but nevertheless make you enjoy the process more.
Look Like a GT, Top to Bottom
Hotspot Design in Italy offers up a hat, shirt and boardshorts that’ll help you blend in with Giant Trevally, even if it’s just in your dreams. We’ll get there sooner or later.
The Unwritten Rules of Dining at Fogo de Chão
I’ve already written about how to maximize a trip to Fogo de Chao, but recent visits have gotten me thinking about how to further enhance your next trip to Brazil’s little bit of culinary heaven. After experiencing lots of rookies booger up the process, I thought it was high time to explain the “unwritten rules.”
My Favorite Wildlife and Wildlife-Like Substances from the 2024 Nashville SCI Convention
Since I’m a fish replica groupie and general fan of wildlife, I’m particularly interested in the taxidermy and related items at outdoors shows. Here are some of my favorites from the 2024 Nashville SCI extravaganza.
The Effed Up, Curious and Occasionally Semi-Useful Fishing and Travel Links Never Stop Coming
Google’s algorithm must think I’m an absolute freak – or in need of ever-increasing jolts of dopamine – because they keep on feeding me weirder and weirder suggestions. Many of them are related to fishing, travel and wildlife, so I know that they have my best interests at heart.
Don’t Have a Cow, Man
While the bass world may be focused on hawgs, the farmers on the saltwater side seem to prefer cattle, as both giant tuna and giant stripers are referred to as COWS. If you’re all about the bovine fishing lifestyle and want the world to know it, check out some of these apparel and decals.
Guadalupe Bass – Gear to Represent the State Fish of Texas
Texas has their own state bass — a feisty little stream brawler that lives in the central part of the state — The Guadalupe. Check out some of the merch dedicated to this special species.
Tee of the Week – Hunting Water Turds
Jet skis can be fun, but there are times when irresponsible riders make us wish there was an open season on those buzzing annoyances.
Stay Salty
If you’re salty and you know it (or possibly in recovery) advertise your addiction. These NaCl-flavored clothing brands can help you show off your love of saltwater fishing.
Napoleon Complex
The Napoleon Wrasse – also known as the Maori Wrasse or Humphead Wrasse,— haunts my dreams. They live in really exotic places like the Seychelles, New Caledonia, the Maldives and Andamans. I won’t get a shot at one for a while so here are some apparel items in their honor.
My 2024 SCI Nashville Favorite: Great Blue Heron Furniture
I love me some HGTV. Watching the design shows inspires me for our not-so-far-way plan to build our retirement home. I’m constantly gathering home décor ideas. Perhaps I have found some pieces to get us started thanks to Great Blue Heron Furniture of Texas
Get The Net
I was Chad Morgenthaler’s net boy for the day at Okeechobee — at least it was a team tournament. I’m glad he hasn’t seen this t-shirt.
Anglers, are you experienced?
Did Jimi Hendrix fish? Does it matter? He and his compositions live on in the angling world over a half century after his death.
The Angler’s Guide to Super Bowl LVIII
It’s Super Bowl Sunday. I have no interest in either team, and as always I have fishing on the brain, so I take an angling-centric approach to the analysis. Here are some nuggets of information and ephemera that may help my fellow fishermen choose a side.
Spytyrz are Kwytyrz
Did you know that legendary southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd had their own topwater lure? There’s at least some limited photographic evidence that the band liked to fish but I don’t know if they were hard core about it.
College Fishing Opportunities and Recommendations
As a kid from a non-fishing family, at a time before competitive collegiate fishing really existed, I wouldn’t have known to look for fishing opportunities in college. However, if you or some young person you know is headed off to higher education, and loves to fish, consider some of these options.
Apparel of the Week -- This Lake Sucks
We’ve all said it — now two-time Bassmaster Classic champ allows you to fully rep the idea that it’s not your fault, you’re just fishing on a terrible lake.
New Year, New Fishing Travel Links
We continue to scour the web for links that will affect your ability to travel to fish in the years to come. Whether you’re going somewhere new in ’24 to get bit, or headed back to the same places you’ve visited for decades, here's a set to start the year.
Put “The Common Angler” on Your Reading List
If you’ve spent a lifetime passionately chasing “little green fish” — or any fish for that matter — then “The Common Angler” by Jack Wollitz will sing to you.
Does a Rooster Howl or Crow?
Texas-based Howler Brothers makes lifestyle clothing with technical and design features that make it ideal for fishing. I particularly like the fact that they’ve used roosterfish on several of their pieces. Their Reserve Rodanthe Blanket Flannel features a roosterfish. It insulates and it’s super-soft.
The Woeful Tale (and Long Tail) of Big Mouth Billy Bass
The worst gift ever? Big Mouth Billy Bass was ubiquitous two decades ago, and just like the Mafia it’s tough to escape. Here’s the tale of the animatronic fish.