Fat Dad Fishing Show

Send us a text A sold-out party boat, a weird current, and a deck full of strangers who felt like old friends—this Osprey trip had a little bit of everything. We kick off with a starfish cameo and an early keeper that set the tone, then watch the day shift into a thoughtful grind as wind and swing made structure feel like a moving target. Between moves, we trade stories, compare notes, and soak in why the Osprey crew is so respected: JP’s quick decisions, mates who retie without ego, and a tone that keeps the deck calm and fun when the bite fades. The stories that stuck are the ones you can’t script. A hard hook set sends a rod butt into its owner’s nose, the combo launches toward the drink, and a neighbor snatches it mid-fall like a shortstop. Kwa’s injured ankle hands his ticket to Billy, who promptly sticks a heavy female early and looks like the pool favorite for hours. As the current twists, we adapt: heavier jigs, stingers, and long drops under the stern to find the structure again. Last drop. Kristen dials in a two-ounce boxing-glove jig on a parabolic rod, tweaks drag after a pulled hook, and leans into a bite that folds the rod. The fight is clean, the net quick, and the fish a thick male that looks every bit the spoiler. On a rocking deck with bled fish and digital scales, ounces decide the pool. Billy edges it, smiles wide, and does the classiest thing—slips Kristen a hundred for a fish that could have gone either way, then tips the mates hard. That’s the magic: a boat where generosity travels as fast as the jokes. Want more trips like this? Drop a rating, share the show with a friend who chases tautog, and hit follow so you don’t miss our January run poll and our upcoming chat with tackle shop owner Stefanos from Sport Fishing Outlet. Your support keeps the rail full and the stories rolling. Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Cold water shrinks the feeding window, but it doesn’t close the door. We break down how to keep catching when the temps drop—reading birds and bait from the sand, shifting targets when the tog bite dies, and picking kayak hulls that actually match your water and body. George shares a cautionary tale about leaving a premium surf setup on the beach and the routine that got it back, then walks us through a pragmatic surf plan: work a defined stretch, watch party boats and birds, move with the bait, and downsize pencils when sand eels rule the wash. Paul dives into kayak fit and safety for winter: why demo days matter more than brand names, the tradeoffs between primary and secondary stability, and the rise of micro skiffs and motorization in wind and current. We get practical on budgets too. Mid-price surf rods like Tsunami Airwave Elite punch up, grease-packed reels still earn their keep, and a single 7’6” medium-heavy with 15 lb braid can handle fluke, tog, blues, and even a surprise cow if you manage the drag. Kristen shares party boat wisdom—start with sea bass and porgies for quick wins, ask mates for help, and handle seasickness the smart way by dosing the night before and morning of. We also tackle the winter head game. Burnout is real when every trip feels like a deadline. The fix is intention: pick weather windows, fish with people who keep it calm, and switch species to keep the spark alive—white perch on ultralight might be the reset you need. Finally, we compare notes on when tog push deeper, how temperature bands shape their moves, and why bass can still explode in short, aggressive bursts even in frigid backwaters. Layer up, keep it simple, and have a Plan B rod ready. That’s how you turn a cold morning into a hot bite. Enjoyed this one? Follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a winter win, and leave a quick review to help more anglers find us. Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Boats piled on a blitz, motors roaring, and someone floors it straight through the bunker. We’ve all watched the bite die in seconds. This week, we break down the most common saltwater mistakes and share the simple, high-impact fixes that turn chaos into confident results. Rich is joined by Scotty Sevins to dig into smart stealth around bait, how to plan by tide and wind, and why “following the fleet” is a shortcut to nowhere. We get practical about what actually moves the needle. You’ll hear how to approach pods without blowing them up, use your senses in the dark to find life before sunrise, and tune your side scan to spot bait rather than just admire your screen. We talk knot choices that hold under load (FG done right), when to retie, and the hidden costs of gear neglect—from rusty hooks to kinked soft plastics that swim wrong. We also go deep on rod angles, drag settings, and why overpowering fish leads to more pulled hooks, broken rods, and stressed releases. Precision matters. We explain the difference between fishing an area and fishing the spot, how small edges on current seams and structure create bite zones, and why a five-foot miss on a flat can spook the entire school. Plus, clear guidance on handling and reviving stripers the right way: keep them horizontal, wet your cradle, cut deep hooks, and swim them forward to push water across the gills. If you’re serious about catching more and stressing less, this is your playbook: plan A through D, approach quietly, read your electronics with intent, tie clean knots, and respect the fish. Enjoy the stories, the laughs, and the field-tested tactics you can use on your next tide. If this helped you fish smarter, subscribe, share with a buddy who needs it, and leave a quick review so more anglers can find the show. Tight lines! Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Cold water finally clicked the “on” switch, and we leaned all the way into it: a full tautog system that works from New Jersey reefs to Rhode Island boulder fields. We brought Frank Mahalik on to open the tackle bag and the playbook—how to lock your drag without popping fish, why a mono top shot turns a broomstick into a shock absorber, and the exact V-rig that puts a whole white crab in the strike zone without helicoptering in heavy current. If you’ve ever wondered whether weight spooks fish, you’ll love the segment on fishing a true slack line with a 10 oz sinker so the bait sits and the tog can move it like a fluke drift. We get specific about hooks because that’s where heartbreak lives. Heavy-wire, short-shank cutting points—think Owner octopus and the promising SaltX and Z Blade styles—pair with a Century Pro Togger and a star drag you can crank to “murder.” That combo wins the first 20 feet, holds fish off the wreck, and ends fights fast. We talk jigging in shallow, oxygen-rich water where nine-pounders pull like teens, why Rhode Island barnacles demand 60 to 80 lb leaders, and when to swap to a single-hook, small-crab rig to beat ripping current. Add the red sinker trick to cut dogfish and protect your next legit bite. Bait logic stays simple and honest: whites offshore, greens inshore, hermits only if you love a single tick and a reload. We wrap with two pillars that matter just as much as your knots: cold-water safety—dry suits save lives—and conservation that’s easy to follow. We keep males under seven pounds, release big females after a calm livewell ride, and respect the fishery we love. Come for the gear talk, stay for the mindset: fish like a system, not a guess, and surround yourself with anglers who make you better. If this helped you dial in your next tog trip, follow the show, share it with a fishing buddy, and drop a review telling us your go-to crab and hook combo. Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Schools of bunker once blacked out our bays; now many anglers chase scattered pods and skinny bass while ospreys circle empty water. We sat down with Captain Paul Eidman of Menhaden Defenders to unpack what changed, why the new ecosystem science calls for much tighter quotas, and how a single industrial fleet can reshape an entire food web. This is a straight look at menhaden—the forage that fuels stripers, birds, whales, and the bait that keeps lobster and crab fisheries moving. We trace the cascade: Atlantic herring collapsed first, industrial capacity slid into menhaden, and pressure concentrated on the biggest, most nutrient‑rich adults. The result shows up everywhere—fewer “horse bunker,” shorter runs, predators forced to eat less‑dense prey, and even failed nests for ospreys and eagles. While managers acknowledged errors in the old models, the vote still landed well above what the corrected ecosystem approach recommends. If you’ve wondered why the on‑water story doesn’t match the policy, this conversation bridges the gap. We also separate fact from fury on fleets. The reduction sector harvests at industrial scale for fishmeal and oil, targeting the oldest fish that anchor resilience, while small bait boats supply working waterfronts with a fraction of the impact. If we care about rebuilding stripers and restoring coastal wildlife, we have to start by rebuilding their food—setting a hard, science‑driven cap, reserving a cautious bait quota, and pausing reduction catch until adult age classes rebound. Abundance is the goal, because abundance feeds everything else. If this mattered to you, share the episode with a fishing buddy, subscribe for future deep dives, and leave a quick review telling us where you’re seeing (or not seeing) bunker this season. Your on‑water reports help shape what we tackle next. Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Cold air, numb hands, and a white crab that changed everything. That’s the scene Chell Baybay paints as she walks us through the drop, the thump, and the surge that sealed her first double-digit tautog—a moment that turned a late-start angler into a fixture on New Jersey head boats. We dig into why tog fishing hooks so deep: the fight starts at the bite, and winning is all timing, patience, and feel. Shell breaks down the quiet focus she brings to crowded rails, how she reads taps without overreacting, and why stillness beats motion when you shift from summer fluke to winter wrecks. If you’ve ever struggled to switch gears seasonally, her approach offers a clean reset. Then we get practical. Shell’s setup is brutally simple—low-profile reel, strong bottom stick, 40–50 lb braid, and a Belmar slider rig—so the work goes into reading current and controlling scope, not chasing gear. We compare jigs and rigs honestly: jigs shine shallow and in backwaters when you can stay vertical; rigs dominate offshore head boats where depth and drift punish light presentations. We cover bait strategy with green crabs and white-leggers, when to use halves or whole, how to crack shells for scent, and why subtle colors and dark silhouettes often outperform flashy paints that invite dogfish. This one also stretches beyond tog. Scotty shares the guiding mindset that keeps anglers in the game when conditions blow out, plus the sheep’s head lessons that translate to better timing and lighter hands. Most of all, we come back to the memory fish—the one that locks in every detail and keeps you grinding through cold fronts and tough tides. For any angler chasing tautog, winter wreck fishing, or just more consistent results on party boats, this conversation delivers tactics you can use on your very next drop. If you enjoyed this, follow the show, share it with a fishing buddy, and leave a quick review—your support helps us bring on more sharp voices like Chell’s. What’s your confidence setup for winter tog? Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Miss the shoulder-to-shoulder blitzes where bass erupted at your feet? We dig into how to make moments like that repeatable by reading the beach, timing the wind, and picking simple surf lures that just work. With surf-casting standout George Bucci, we go past reports and chase what truly moves fish in the fall: weather windows, bait behavior, and structure. We start with the forecast because it decides your odds. The first punch of a nor’easter can be electric, and a crisp northwest wind often drives bunker straight into the sand—exactly when you should clock out early and hit the open beach. George breaks down how to spot life quickly with birds, wash tells, and subtle color changes, then shows how to pattern it: find one cut that produces and expect the next cut to set up the same way. We talk practical scouting at low tide, using landmarks to fish the dark, and why moderate whitewater outperforms flat conditions. Gear and lures stay refreshingly simple. A nine-foot rod with 20-pound braid and a 30-pound leader covers most scenarios; an 11-footer waits in the truck for distance plays. On top, pencil poppers own visible feeds thanks to a surf-friendly cadence that throws water and calls fish. When it’s quiet or current gets tricky, SP Minnows, Mag Darters, and bottle plugs track true without digging, and a humble black hair teaser often outcatches the main plug at night. We also get real about colors (bone by day, dark by night, chartreuse sometimes, gold is underrated), bluefish etiquette, and the hookless gaff trick for jetties. Zooming out, we compare Raritan’s strength to the struggles in Delaware and Chesapeake, and why massive menhaden schools can keep bass offshore until wind and tide crack open beach opportunities. If you’re willing to walk more than you cast, scout smart, and fish those precise windows, the fall run still rewards the stubborn with unforgettable sessions. Enjoy the throwback, take notes, and if this helped you line up your next trip, follow, share with a surf friend, and drop a review with your favorite tip—what will you try first? Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text The surf is alive, the foam lines are loud, and the biggest stripers of the season are sliding into casting range. We invited Bayside Dave to dig into a land-based masterclass: how to read Long Beach Island’s sandbars, troughs, and rip seams, and how to choose baits and lures that turn those spots into steady hookups. Whether you fish beaches, jetties, inlet edges, or bayside docks, this guide puts you exactly where the fish want to feed. We start with structure: spotting the whitewater that marks a bar, identifying the darker “hole,” and finding the openings where current and food funnel together. Then we get surgical with timing and placement—why casting to the bar tip and trough mouth out-produces bombing the second bar, and how many big bass eat shockingly close, even in ankle-deep water. For bait, we break down bunker heads and chunks, salted clams, and mullet pieces, plus practical drag and sinker tips that stop your rig from skating and keep circle hooks pinning cleanly. Artificial addicts get a full spread: half- to one-ounce bucktails with trailers for the lower column, SP minnows and Hydro minnows for midwater, and mag darters when you need that hunting wobble. On top, we swear by Tsunami Talking Poppers and bottle poppers for explosive eats after the pause. Metals have their moment when sand eels stack—diamond jigs with a sand eel teaser above, and Hopkins for speed and lift. We also cover metal lips in inlet current: cast across the flow, feed line, and let the plug swim itself tight to the rocks. We finish with fish care that actually matters: surfing fish in with the wave, supporting big bass horizontally, and reviving forward—never backward—until they kick strong. If you’re eyeing the LBI Surf Fishing Classic, we hit rules, prizes, and land-based access points. Fall run surf fishing rewards anglers who read energy and fish the first ten yards with intent. Subscribe, share with a buddy who needs more tight lines this season, and drop your confidence lure in the comments—what gets you bit when the surf is churning? Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text We step through the storm gate into fall fishing, trading summer sheepshead grind for backwater striped bass, smarter leader choices, and tactics that work when oxygen rises and bait stacks. Gear gets practical, lures get both bigger and smaller, and we keep the focus on memory, community, and respecting spots. • nor’easter as the real seasonal trigger and oxygen reset • back bay bass patterns as temps drop below 70 • leaders, live bait, circle hooks, and bite trade-offs • why smaller profiles often catch the biggest fish • popping corks and shrimp patterns for shallow structure • gear that lasts: rods with parabolic bend and reliable reels • bunker pod strategy: center, edge, and below • bluefin “ghost” reality: capacity over max drag and boat handling • photography basics and no spot burning ethics • community trip plans and upcoming tog offerings Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text We unpack the proposed 12% striped bass mortality cut, why “closure” likely means a short seasonal window, and how flawed MRIP effort estimates are steering the debate. We compare regional impacts by month, weigh status quo against quick fixes, and argue for better data, smarter timing, and real habitat work. • What a seasonal closure actually means and when it would land • Why MRIP effort overestimates cast doubt on a 12% cut • Spawning stock biomass context and the 1995 comparison • Regional wave closures and uneven impacts by state • Harvest vs release mortality and circle hook credit gaps • Chesapeake, Hudson, and Delaware recruitment uncertainty • Bunker abundance, migration shifts, and shark depredation • Bonus tags, commercial quotas, and cross-state consistency • Enforcement realities, court follow-through, and compliance • Tagging tech limits, acoustic arrays, and funding needs • Vote timing, state politics, and what happens next Subscribe for new episodes on Thursdays. “Get out there, get on the water, and get some tight lines.” Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text We confront the push for “no targeting” on striped bass, challenge shaky mortality data, and argue for smart, consistent rules that protect spawning fish without killing access. Then we spotlight the Barrier Island Beach Brawl—part surf tournament, part charity engine—that brings anglers together and feeds local families. • status of striped bass regs and the risk of no-targeting • why bad data and unclear methods undermine policy • smarter closure timing around spring spawn • need for consistency across states and sectors • early guardrails for the fast-growing sheepshead fishery • the Barrier Island Beach Brawl: purpose, prizes, and giving back • catch-photo-release for stripers to reduce stress • fillet donations to St. Gregory’s Food Pantry • spot burn etiquette: share patterns, not pins • Saltwater Underground season preview and ethos • how and where to submit ASMFC comments by the deadline Send your comments to ASMFC by October 3rd—go to the striped bass addendum page and click “leave comment” Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Rich and Jay explore the differences and surprising similarities between freshwater and saltwater fishing, proving that techniques from one world can successfully translate to the other. • Jay discusses his journey from casual angler to creator of the 45,000-member Kayak Fishing Dads Facebook group • Detailed breakdown of transitional bass fishing tactics as summer gives way to fall • Why suspending jerkbaits often outperform floating models for subsurface presentations • How freshwater bass tactics can be effectively applied to saltwater striped bass fishing • Candid conversation about whether forward-facing sonar and spot lock technology constitute "cheating" • The pros and cons of baitcasting versus spinning gear for different fishing scenarios • Jay's experience transitioning from GoPro to Insta360 cameras for fishing content creation • Recommendations for must-watch fishing YouTube channels including Christine Fisher and Greg Blanchard If you're interested in joining the Fat Dad Fishing Show for a tog fishing charter out of Atlantic City this December, stay tuned for more details coming soon. Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Captain Kayla Hale shares multi-species fishing strategies for the northern Chesapeake, from striped bass tactics to smallmouth techniques. She reveals exciting news about her custom Rockproof jet boat being built for her guide service. • Fish below surface commotion for bigger striped bass • Minnow plugs and glide baits produce quality stripers in the fall • Striped bass migration patterns change from Chesapeake Bay to New Jersey beaches • Blue catfish pose serious threat to Chesapeake ecosystem unlike snakeheads • Winter white and yellow perch fishing on ultralight tackle offers excellent cold-weather opportunity • Brackish Babes all-female fishing team competing in Tiki Lee's rockfish tournament • Finding joy in seeing others catch trophy fish is part of the guiding experience Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text We dive deep into the art and science of fishing rod selection with returning guest John Creeley, former co-host and current rod builder for Advanced Fishing USA. This episode unpacks everything from rod action to material composition to help you make better equipment choices for your target species. • Every rod has a specific purpose - no single rod is perfect for all applications • Rod actions (extra-fast to slow) significantly impact hook-setting ability and sensitivity • For sheepshead and tog, moderate action rods provide the perfect blend of feel and forgiveness • Weakfish and species with paper mouths benefit from slower action to prevent hook tears • Fast action rods excel for topwater applications and accurate casting for striped bass • Spinning gear offers better hookup ratios for jigging tog and sheepshead compared to conventional • Spiral (acid) wrapping reduces fatigue during vertical fishing and improves bite detection • Cork grips provide better feel but foam offers comfort for extended fights with large fish • Custom rods allow for personalization of grip size, guide placement, and action for your specific needs • Rod demo days provide the best opportunity to test different models before purchasing Advanced Fishing USA is hosting a rod demo event in Seaside Park on Sunday, the 28th from 10 to 2. Visit to cast Century, JS, and Striker rods with free parking and admission near Stewart's Root Beer in Seaside Heights. Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Benji Crabbing and Fishing joins us to share his journey from passionate angler to charter captain, offering a wealth of knowledge about backwater fishing opportunities in coastal New Jersey waters. • Benji recently became a licensed charter captain after years of preparation and learning from fellow anglers • Late summer flounder fishing has tapered off earlier than expected this year • Blackfish (tautog) fishing around bridges provides exciting action even in backwaters • Sheepshead fishing requires patience but can be rewarding when combined with targeting other species • Crabbing remains productive using chicken necks as bait in topless traps • New Jersey regulations require hard shell crabs to measure at least 4.5 inches • Building relationships with other anglers is crucial for expanding fishing knowledge • Equipment for fishing and content creation doesn't need to be expensive to be effective • Water safety should always be a priority following recent boating accidents To book a charter with Benji, visit crabbinfishing.com or find him on Facebook and other social media platforms. Whether you're interested in catching fish or harvesting crabs, Benji promises a fun and educational experience. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Captain Joey Leggio shares his expertise on targeting Cobia off the coast of New York, revealing how this once-rare trophy fish has become a viable target species. We explore effective techniques for finding and catching these powerful gamefish, along with the shifting fisheries that have brought them north. • When sharks appear (especially blacktips and spinners), Cobia are likely following close behind • Position downwind of bunker schools rather than casting directly into them • Use a "knocker rig" with light weight and fluorocarbon leader instead of heavy snag hooks • Keep the first hooked Cobia in the water to attract followers, just like with mahi • Always have multiple rods ready with both live/chunk baits and artificials like bucktails or eel imitations • Cobia season typically runs from June through early September in New York waters • Climate change appears to be shifting fisheries northward, bringing southern species like Cobia to NY • Capitalize quickly when Cobia appear – opportunities may be brief • Look for Cobia following cow nose rays and large bunker schools • If a snagged bunker dies or spins unnaturally, replace it immediately for better results If you'd like to support Captain Leggio during his recovery from a recent prop strike accident, please consider contributing to the GoFundMe linked in the show notes. https://gofund.me/86614fd5 Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text False albacore season is approaching fast, and we're diving into everything you need to know about targeting these explosive gamefish. Rob Crossley shares his expertise on gearing up and tactics for the brief but thrilling albie run that hits Northeast waters in late summer. • Using fast-action 7'3" rods with more glass for the right balance of accuracy and strength • Selecting 20-pound braid with 20-pound fluorocarbon leader for optimal casting and fighting power • Choosing epoxy jigs as primary lures and switching hook orientation for better hookups • Approaching schools carefully—staying 10-20 yards back while casting beyond feeding fish • Looking for birds, single jumping fish, and "nervous water" as indicators of albie presence • Expecting different feeding patterns throughout the day with early morning, mid-day and evening bites • Understanding the importance of mimicking exact bait profiles albies are targeting • Watching for late August/early September storms that typically push albies inshore • Differentiating between false albacore, bonito, and Spanish mackerel when they're mixed together Get your gear ready and keep an eye on the weather—when albies show up, they'll be here and gone before you know it! Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Late summer fluke fishing offers unique challenges and opportunities as water temperatures rise and fish begin transitioning from bays to inlets. With the right approach, anglers can still enjoy productive fishing despite changing conditions. • Understanding beach structure is critical - focus on troughs between beach and sandbars rather than deep holes • Lighter tackle outperforms heavy gear in the surf - 7' medium rods with 3000-series reels and 15lb braid • Use lighter bucktails (3/8-3/4oz) with ball heads that won't dig into sand • 75% of fluke strikes come on teasers positioned 18" above the bucktail or sinker • Consider fishing at night when water is cooler and fish feed more aggressively • Don't hesitate to use large baits - fluke will attack surprisingly large offerings • Fish current seams and breaks around jetties where fish hold to avoid fighting strong flow • Scented baits and clean hands make a difference - nicotine and gasoline are known fish deterrents • Inlets are becoming increasingly productive as fluke begin their offshore migration • Safety on jetties should be your priority - wear proper footwear and watch for waves If you enjoy the show, please make sure to follow, leave a review, and share with fellow anglers. Check out the 71st Annual LBI Surf Fishing Classic running August 30th to November 30th with $25,000 in prizes and a new fluke division at lbisfc.com. Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Rich Natoli welcomes saltwater fishing legend John Skinner to discuss fluke and striped bass fishing strategies up and down the East Coast, exploring the nuances of finding keeper-sized fish during a challenging season. You'll pick up cinder worm hatch strategies, hear the results of a "lights on the water" experiment, and John's encounter with a murderer! If you enjoy the show, hit follow and leave a review - it helps us grow and attract more great guests like John. Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up! Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey. Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected] Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text As the air temperatures rise, so does the water temperatures. I'll cover multiple species and how their behavior will change as water temperatures rise beyond the optimal temperatures for each species. We'll hit on Fluke (flounder), weakfish, striped bass, bluefish, speckled trout and redfish. Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]

Send us a text Support the show Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube Fat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishing Fat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | Facebook Email: [email protected]