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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

Release Date: 06/23/2025

Kayak Striper Masterclass with Eric Harrison: Big Bass, Soft Plastics and Tidal Strategy

Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we sit down with Eric Harrison, one of the Northeast’s most respected kayak anglers. Eric has spent over 20 years chasing fish from a kayak and has landed striped bass every month for more than a decade. We dive deep into: Why kayaks give anglers a stealth advantage How to target giant striped bass in shallow water Soft plastic retrieves that outfish plugs Jig head weights, tides, and current strategy Reading sonar and finding fish others miss Why conservation matters and how lure choices affect release survival Whether you fish from shore,...

The Last 40 Feet: Capt. Ben Whalley on Fly Design, Presentation, and Problem Solving

Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing

What matters more in fly fishing: the pattern, or the presentation? In this episode, we sit down with Maine guide and highly regarded fly tyer Capt. Ben Whalley to talk about the small details that make a huge difference when targeting striped bass and other saltwater species. Ben discusses the influence of legendary fly tyer Bob Popovics, his approach to designing large-profile flies that remain castable, and how observation and experimentation lead to better fly design. The conversation also previews the upcoming Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo, where Ben will join a...

John Field on Fly Casting Mastery: Less False Casting, Better Loops, More Fish

Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing

What separates good fly anglers from great ones? In this episode, we sit down with John L. Field, author, conservationist, and FFI Master Casting Instructor, ahead of the Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo on March 14th. This year’s Expo shifts from tactics to skill building, breaking down the habits and mechanics that consistently lead to success. John dives deep into: Why too much false casting costs you fish The mechanics behind tight loops and clean tracking How rod loading really works The difference between leverage and momentum in your stroke The building blocks every fly...

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 —...

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.

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

More Episodes

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.

Timestamps:

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

Timestamps:

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