Captain Brian Kelly - Bunker School Strategy: Lures, Spoons & Flies
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
Release Date: 05/19/2025
Dan Wells: Cracking the Night Game — Estuaries, Big Flies, and Strategic Striper Fishing
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
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 —...
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Roy Leyva on 500+ Species, World-Record Koi, and the “Why” Behind Every Bite
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
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.
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The Fall Fishing Roundtable — Striped Bass, Albies & Sharks
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
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
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Curiosity, Conservation, and Catching More: Captain Cody Rubner of High Roller Guide Service
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
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...
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The True Value of a Fish: Economics of Recreational Fishing with Dr. Ben Meadows
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
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...
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Surfcasting Alphas: Pete Utschig on Big Fish, Tides, and Tactical Preparation
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
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...
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Captain Brian Kelly - Bunker School Strategy: Lures, Spoons & Flies
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, host Peter Jenkins sits down with Captain Brian Kelly, a New England light tackle and fly fishing guide with deep knowledge of Cape Cod and Massachusetts Bay. Brian shares his journey from Montana guide school to full-time guiding on his Parker 18', and gives a tactical breakdown of fishing around bunker schools—from identifying bait behavior to deploying the right gear. We talk seasonal shifts, bait dynamics, and how to approach stripers, albies, and bluefin with the right presentation—whether you’re throwing...
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Tammy King: Surfcasting, Island Life, and Building a Fishing Community
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
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 –...
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Ralph Craft: Saltwater Fishing and Strong Communities
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
In this podcast episode, Peter Jenkins, owner of the Saltwater Edge, hosts Ralph Craft from Crafty One Customs. Ralph shares his journey into fishing and rod building, the challenges and intricacies of creating custom fishing rods, and the importance of conservation and sustainable fishing practices. The discussion extends to community involvement, including efforts to support pediatric cancer patients and other charitable activities. The episode also delves into the controversial topic of offshore wind development and its potential impacts on the environment and local fishing communities....
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Ross Kessler - Planning Your DIY Bonefish Trip
Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing
Bonefishing is one of the most thrilling saltwater experiences an angler can have, and planning a DIY trip adds an extra layer of challenge and reward. Whether you're heading to the Bahamas, Belize, or Mexico, a self-guided flats fishing adventure requires careful planning and a strategic approach. In this guide, based on insights from seasoned DIY angler Ross Kessler, we’ll cover everything you need to know to execute a successful DIY bonefish trip—from planning and tides to gear and tactics. For many anglers, DIY bonefishing is the ultimate test of skill and preparation. Instead of...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, host Peter Jenkins sits down with Captain Brian Kelly, a New England light tackle and fly fishing guide with deep knowledge of Cape Cod and Massachusetts Bay. Brian shares his journey from Montana guide school to full-time guiding on his Parker 18', and gives a tactical breakdown of fishing around bunker schools—from identifying bait behavior to deploying the right gear.
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.
Timestamps:
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
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