In this episode, we sit down with analytical angler Dan Wells for one of the most detailed breakdowns of nighttime striper fly fishing you'll ever hear. Dan combines military-grade strategic thinking with years of obsessive local scouting to build a system for understanding tides, bait cycles, estuaries, and nighttime feeding behavior.

We cover everything from silver-side patterns to herring runs, eel and squid behavior, two-hand casting for big flies, and how to build a 30-minute fishing radius that consistently produces. If you love the craft of surfcasting or fly fishing — especially in Northeast estuaries — this is a masterclass.

Roy Leyva joins The Saltwater Edge to unpack a lifetime of fishing across fresh and salt. We talk Boston roots, 500-plus species, world-record catches from Jamaica Pond, and the universal toolkit of soft plastics and jigs. Roy explains cadence, structure, and why asking "why" beats chasing spots. We finish with the fish he would pick for one last day on Earth. Highlights include the world-record koi and landlocked salmon story in Boston and a practical breakdown of lures that work anywhere.

The Saltwater Edge crew sits down to recap the 2025 season — from surfcasting for bass and flipping kayaks chasing albies, to tuna trips and tropical fish in Rhode Island waters. Hear their go-to lures, biggest surprises, and plans for the rest of the fall run.

Topics include:

• The comeback of albies and bonito

• Shark encounters on jigs

• Fly vs spin debates

• Favorite plugs, colors, and techniques for late fall

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we sit down with Captain Cody Rubner—guide, conservationist, and one of the most dynamic voices in saltwater fishing. Based in Stuart, Florida, Cody runs High Roller Guide Service and brings a unique blend of marine science, media savvy, and grassroots advocacy to the water every day.

We explore Cody's early years fishing Cape Cod jetties, how a childhood obsession with fish evolved into a career in marine biology and guiding, and why his work with the American Saltwater Guides Association and Captains for Clean Water matters now more than ever.

Cody also walks us through the incredible variety of Florida's year-round fishery—snook, tarpon, jack crevalle, sailfish, permit, albies, and more—and shares what fuels his passion for teaching others and protecting the resources we all rely on.

Topics Covered:

• Stuart, FL fishery breakdown by season

• Why curiosity is his North Star

• Balancing content creation and conservation

• His work with ASGA and Captains for Clean Water

• Tips for visiting anglers (and why small flies matter)

• The joys and challenges of guiding full-time

If you care about fishing, clean water, and what the future of saltwater angling looks like, this is one you won't want to miss.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ben Meadows—fisheries economist, conservationist, and passionate redfish angler—for a fascinating dive into the real value of recreational fishing.

From the dockside price of a fillet to the unspoken joy of watching fish swirl in the surf, Dr. Meadows breaks down how economic tools can (and can't) capture what fishing means to us. We explore how traditional models fall short in valuing catch-and-release, why property rights matter in fishery policy, and how anglers—from fly fishers to surfcasters—can use economic insight to advocate for the resource we all share.

Whether you're a policy nerd, weekend warrior, or just wondering what your striper trip is "worth," this one's for you.

• 00:00 – Meet Dr. Ben Meadows: economist, angler, and former SEC kicker

• 04:00 – Redfish, cheap thrills, and the roots of a fishing obsession

• 06:30 – What does it really mean to maximize fishing value?

• 10:30 – Commercial fisheries: economics, incentives, and extinction

• 15:00 – Why monopolies might (strangely) be the best for fish stocks

• 19:00 – Property rights: the key to sustainable commercial fishing

• 23:00 – The real value of catch-and-release

• 30:00 – Non-market valuation tools explained

• 38:00 – Even a bluefish and bad day can have economic value

• 42:00 – Why stock abundance matters as much as harvest

• 45:00 – Building a bigger tent for recreational anglers

In this episode, Pete Utschig returns to the Saltwater Edge Podcast to talk surfcasting strategy, big fish mindset, and the lifelong pursuit of "alpha" predators. From his days in the firehouse to chasing tarpon in Florida and roosterfish in Baja, Pete shares what it takes to consistently find success from the surf.

We cover the power of preparation, why confidence trumps plug color, and how moon tides, weather patterns, and current windows dictate your shot at a true trophy. If you're serious about stripers—or just love hearing how passion and persistence play out on the water—this one's a must.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro and welcome back Pete
01:08 – Surfcasting passion and conservation roots
02:45 – "Spend time to make time": Planning and tide prep
04:00 – How firefighting shaped Pete's approach to fishing
07:10 – Guide life in Northeast Florida: species and seasons
09:30 – Baja roosterfish and fishing the Pacific surf
11:30 – DIY tuna in Portugal: heartbreak and redemption
15:00 – The FG knot failure that changed everything
17:00 – Always be ready: preparing for the alpha
22:00 – Plan A, B, and C: Adapting to conditions
24:30 – Using logs and patterns to predict big fish windows
27:00 – Pete's minimalist 5x5x5 plug strategy
31:00 – Current finders, cheat codes, and why confidence matters
34:00 – How to fish smarter, not just harder
42:00 – Storm tactics: Before, during, and after
45:00 – Moon tides and reading short windows
48:00 – Finding big fish after a blow
51:30 – Final takeaways and Florida guide updates

Brought to you by Saltwater Edge
Shop gear, learn more, and explore the water smarter at saltwateredge.com.
Use code TANMAN for free shipping.

We talk seasonal shifts, bait dynamics, and how to approach stripers, albies, and bluefin with the right presentation—whether you're throwing a soft plastic, flutter spoon, or a bunker-matching fly.

00:00 – Intro: Brian's path from Montana guide school to Massachusetts waters
01:30 – Lessons from senior guides on building a sustainable guiding career
03:30 – Off-season travel: Cuba, steelhead, and trout across the northeast
04:45 – South vs. North Cape Cod: tides, temperature, and strategy
07:00 – How bait and water temp influence striper migration
08:30 – Cape Cod Canal as a funnel for biomass movement
10:30 – Bait breakdown: River herring vs. bunker behavior
12:45 – How fish stage, rest, and digest in warm backwaters
14:50 – What drives bait movement: estuary dynamics and spring conditions
16:00 – Squid and peanut bunker: underrated keys to early and late season bites
18:00 – When tuna show up: dabbling in the bluefin game
20:10 – 2022: A season defined by stable bunker, predators, and insane biomass
22:30 – What triggers the fall run: tides, temp drops, and migration instinct
24:30 – How bunker behave in different parts of a bay system
26:30 – Identifying "happy" vs. "stressed" bait to pick your tactics
28:00 – Lure tactics: soft plastics, paddletails, docks, and retrieves that work
33:00 – Magic swimmers, Sluggos, and when to slow it all down
37:30 – Locating bunker: ledges, mooring fields, side scan, and sonar tips
43:00 – Flutter spoons: setup, depth, retrieve, and boat positioning
47:00 – Leader, knot, and rod recommendations for spoon fishing
48:30 – Fly fishing bunker schools: presentation, lines, and setting up drifts
53:00 – Why fishing structure can be better than targeting chaos
55:00 – Dredging with sinking lines vs. casting to active fish
57:00 – Teasing, bait-and-switch, and fly rod practicality in deep water
59:00 – Lessons from clients and staying sharp as a guide

Book a trip with Capt. Brian Kelly
Shop bunker-focused tackle and fly gear at SaltwaterEdge.com

Tammy King: Surfcasting, Island Life, and Building a Fishing Community | Saltwater Edge Podcast

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we're joined by Tammy King — a Nantucket native, surfcasting expert, and founder of Fish Girl Guides. Raised in a charter captain family, Tammy shares how her early beach days turned into a lifetime passion for fishing, teaching, and community building.

We explore growing up on Nantucket, surfcasting sandy beaches, empowering women in fishing, and Tammy's adventurous trips beyond the island.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Tammy and her Nantucket roots
01:16 – Growing up with charter captain parents
02:27 – Discovering a love for fishing early on
03:12 – What made Nantucket special — and how it's changed
04:12 – Fishing culture, local tournaments, and community spirit
07:17 – How Tammy built her guiding business
09:04 – Surfcasting access on Nantucket: beaches, trucks, and tides
11:11 – Hotspots: reefs, jetties, and where to find fish
12:09 – How to read sand beaches and surf structure
14:19 – The impact of erosion on fishing spots
15:50 – Tammy's clients: beginners, weddings, and learning to fish
17:09 – Year-round fishing at Nantucket Anglers' Club
20:03 – Freshwater action: white perch, crappie, and pond stripers
21:14 – Tammy's Louisiana redfish adventure with Journey Outfitters
23:26 – Challenges and safety tips for women in fishing
26:43 – Tammy's women-only surfcasting course
29:14 – Gear struggles: women's waders and boots
31:12 – Dream fish, surfcasting travel goals, and roosterfish
34:02 – Targeting striped bass from the sand: tips and strategy
38:16 – Nantucket's first striper arrivals in spring
40:52 – Tammy's favorite lures for sand beaches
44:06 – Resources Tammy recommends for learning fishing skills
46:12 – Teaching casting basics and common beginner mistakes
48:12 – Watching new anglers grow and succeed
49:19 – Why women are natural surfcasters
50:14 – Tammy's dream "last fishing day" on Nantucket
51:25 – How to book a trip with Tammy King (Fish Girl Guides)

Follow Tammy:
Instagram @fishgirlack
Recommended by local tackle shops on Nantucket!

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