Bay Rats & Buoys

Bay Rats & Buoys Episode 60 – “Charleston Reds, Southern Waters & Chef Rob’s Grand Opening!”

Episode 60 of Bay Rats & Buoys brings the heat straight out of South Carolina as Captain Gaige sits down with Charleston’s finest: Captain Jamey and Captain Matt from Charleston Red Fish Pros, along with our good friend Chef Rob, who just celebrated the grand opening of Global Pizza inside Godwin Beer Hall in Summerville, SC! This week’s episode is a blend of Southern hospitality, world-class fishing, and big news for the Bay Rats community.

Captain Jamey and Captain Matt share their incredible story of how they launched their charter business from the ground up and what drives their passion for chasing Red Fish and Bull Reds in Charleston Harbor, Wadmalaw Sound, and the endless back bays and creeks they fish seven days a week. These guys live on the water, breathe the tides, and know the Lowcountry redfish game better than anyone. From skinny-water ambush tactics to reading the tides in the marsh, they walk us through the techniques, gear, and instincts that built Charleston Red Fish Pros into one of the most respected charter operations in the Carolinas.

We also take you behind the scenes of Chef Rob’s major milestone — the grand opening of Global Pizza, a new culinary hotspot offering creative, globally inspired pies inside Summerville’s popular Godwin Beer Hall. Chef Rob talks about the journey, the menu concept, and how fishing buddies, good food, and community always seem to come together under one roof.

Meanwhile, here in the Northeast, we’re just a few weeks away from a massive start to the new year! Bay Rats & Buoys is gearing up for the NY Boat Show at the Javits Center from January 21–25, where we’ll be podcasting live for five straight days! Right after that, catch us at the Copiague Fire Department Fishing Expo on January 31, followed by the newly expanded two-day Ward Melville High School Fishing Show coming this March.

And the biggest announcement of all — the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club officially launches in 2026! Get ready for tournaments, meet-ups, exclusive content, and the next evolution of our growing community.

Tune in, subscribe, and stay salty — Episode 60 is one for the books!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast – Episode 59 | Thanksgiving Special + Tournament Champion Interview!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our loyal listeners, subscribers, captains, and Bay Rats across Long Island and beyond! Episode 59 is packed with gratitude, good laughs, epic fishing stories, and a special guest who made history in our very first Bay Rats & Buoys Striped Bass Invitational. Joining Captain Gaige and Kory this week is none other than Andrew Viola, the champion who landed the monstrous 46” striped bass that took home the trophy, the grand prize, and—of course—the ultimate bragging rights for 2025!

Andrew walks us through the entire roller-coaster of tournament day: the early morning strategy, the tough conditions, the miles covered while searching for fish, and the moment his team almost packed it in… right before hooking into the winning 46” cow bass that sealed the deal. His insight into the bite, the pressure of tournament fishing, and the celebration afterward makes this interview a must-listen for anyone who loves striped bass, competition, or just a great fishing story.

In true Bay Rats & Buoys fashion, we drift into every corner of boating and fishing on the North Shore—from fall patterns, the migration, and harbor action to the hilarious moments we all know too well… including that time we ran aground. If you spend enough days on the water around Long Island, chances are you’ve been there too!

We also look ahead to a stacked December and January lineup. Next week’s episode features Chef Rob, who brings his culinary magic to the show, along with visiting captains from South Carolina who will share Southern fishing stories, techniques, and a whole different style of boating culture. It’s going to be a killer episode you won’t want to miss.

With the holidays here, the countdown is officially on—we’re just two months away from broadcasting live for five straight days at the NY Boat Show at the Javits Center! Plus, the excitement continues as we prepare for the 2026 launch of the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club, an all-new community experience for our fans, anglers, and charter clients. And stay tuned… we’ve got more big announcements brewing as we get closer to Opening Day 2026 on April 15.

Hit subscribe, share this episode with a fishing buddy, and enjoy the Thanksgiving vibes. Tight lines and happy holidays from Bay Rats & Buoys! 

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Welcome back to Bay Rats & Buoys Episode 58 — and this one is loaded with late-season chaos, winter prep, big announcements, and a whole lot of gratitude as we roll into Thanksgiving week! If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion for boating into a real paycheck, now is the time — get your Captain’s License at NauticalSchool.com and start making money on the water in 2025. Captain Gaige and Kory break down exactly why winter is the best time to enroll and knock out your classes before spring ramps up.

In today’s episode, we talk about the start of full-blown winterization mode across Long Island. Boats are coming out, temps are dropping, and the fishing community is soaking up every last tide before the deep freeze. But just because the season is winding down doesn’t mean the adventure stops — Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory officially invite ALL Bay Rats & Buoys listeners to join them on the river this winter for some fly-fishing therapy! Grab a 3-wt or 5-wt and come tighten up on some cold-water trout as we keep the community fishing, learning, and laughing through the off-season.

We’re also officially two months out from the 2025 NY Boat Show at the Javits Center, where Bay Rats & Buoys will be podcasting LIVE for five straight days! This year is going to be absolutely EPIC — new vendors, new boats, new gear, and countless interviews with captains, crew, influencers, and industry legends. Plus, we’ll be attending every major fishing show in the local and tri-state area this winter. If you see us, come say hi and jump on the podcast!

Even though winter is creeping in, South Shore bass fishing stays hot into December, and Captain Gaige and Kory are gearing up for their annual run on the Laura Lee, usually fishing off Fire Island for slots, shorts, and the last big migrating bass of the season. It’s one of the best end-of-year traditions on Long Island, and we’ll bring you full coverage on upcoming episodes.

Huge shoutout to the entire crew at J&M Seafood — Matt, Rich, Angelo, and Cody — for always keeping the Bay Rats & Buoys family dialed in with the freshest bait, the best seafood, and nonstop support for the local fishing community.

Hit LIKE, drop a COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay locked in all winter long… because Bay Rats & Buoys never stops fishing.

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Late-Season Chaos: Bass Under Birds, Monster Tog Bites & Squid Starting to Pop!

Welcome back to Bay Rats & Buoys Episode 57, where the fall bite is absolutely exploding even as boating season slowly comes to a close. This week we’ve got Manny from the West on the cover, hammering bass at his secret locations using the Bay Rats & Buoys favorite NLBN lures—the same lures that have been crushing it all season long for us on the striped bass. If you’re looking for that late-season edge, this is the episode to watch.

Weather across Long Island has been spotty, with tight windows between fronts, but if you pick your shot you can get into phenomenal fishing right now. We break down exactly how to time those windows and what patterns we’ve been seeing across the North Shore and beyond. The tog bite remains absolutely on fire, with piles of keepers coming over the rail on every tide. If you love bottom fishing, this is arguably the best stretch of the entire year, and we cover rigs, baits, structure, and techniques that are producing the most consistent action.

Nighttime has been electric as well—squid fishing is ramping up, especially inside the harbor. Massive numbers of birds have been working under the moonlight while striped bass blast through clouds of spearing, peanut bunker, and sand eels. It’s a wild scene and we’ve got the footage to show you exactly what’s happening after dark.

This week also marks the bittersweet point where we pulled the boat for winterization, with water temps dipping to 49°. But don’t worry—Bay Rats & Buoys isn’t slowing down one bit. Stay tuned as we showcase all the gear we used throughout 2025, so you can stock up and be fully dialed in for the spring of 2026. From lures to leaders to terminal tackle, we’re giving you the full breakdown.

And a HUGE announcement for our loyal listeners:

The Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club officially launches in January 2026 at the New York Boat Show!

We can’t wait to meet everyone, roll out exclusive club benefits, and continue growing this salty community that spans Long Island and now listeners across multiple countries.

Make sure to drop a comment, share where you’re tuning in from, and send this episode to a fishing buddy. This is how our community grows—organically, honestly, and one fisherman at a time.

Let’s finish the season strong. Tight lines, everyone! 

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Welcome back to Bay Rats & Buoys — Episode 56, where the winterization process has officially begun here in the Northeast. The cold fronts are rolling in, the yards are filling up with shrink-wrapped boats, and every captain is doing that final dance of oil changes, fuel stabilizers, and flushing systems before winter takes hold. But even with the seasonal shutdown starting, the fishing is STILL electric.


This week we’re talking squid jigs, green crabs, tautog, striped bass, and a ridiculous amount of bait stacked in our harbors. We’re seeing spearing, peanut bunker, and schools of squid lighting up the sonar — the harbors are alive. The Tog bite remains strong, with a steady flow of 4–8 lb fish, but no double-digit “whitechins” have hit our deck… yet. With water temps dropping and green crabs loaded in the livewell, we’re still swinging hard right into the late season. Squid fishing should take off once we finally get a break from this relentless windy weather pattern.


This week brings the Beaver Moon, generating dramatic tidal swings and extreme highs and lows. The tidal coefficient is very high, and that means moving water plus murky conditions — the kind of chaos that often turns on the bass bite. And speaking of bass… we’ve got striped bass in the harbor up to 40 inches, with tons of shorts and slots crashing on the surface right alongside peanut bunker and spearing. Birds working? Follow them.

➡️ Listener Challenge:

Drop a comment and let us know:

Where you’re watching or listening from, and
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We’ve grown this podcast organically — captain to captain, friend to friend — and we are now being listened to in 5 countries. That growth didn’t come from ads. It came from YOU sharing the show with a fishing buddy. So if something in this episode makes you laugh, teaches you something, or fires up the fishing itch… hit that share button.

Thinking about getting your Captain’s License this winter? Off-season is the PERFECT time. Head to NauticalSchool.com and get signed up today.

Winter may be coming, but Bay Rats & Buoys is heating up. Big things are coming for our loyal listeners — new content, giveaways, and 2026 planning is already underway.

Subscribe. Comment. Share.

The season may be ending, but the story is just beginning. 

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast Episode 55 | Hurricane Melissa, Big Tog, Bass Blitz & Harbor Squid!

This week’s Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast comes straight from the studio, as Hurricane Melissa brings heavy winds and rain to the Long Island Sound. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected in the storm’s path—especially our friends down in Jamaica dealing with severe damage and flooding. While we may be docked this week, there’s no shortage of fishing action to talk about!

 Brought to You by The Nautical School

Special thanks to our episode sponsor, The Nautical School — your trusted destination for earning your Captain’s License this fall and winter. Visit NauticalSchool.com to start your journey toward becoming a licensed captain.

Local Fishing Report & Updates

Despite the storm, fishing across the North Shore remains on fire! Anglers are landing keeper tautog (blackfish) in the 5–8 lb range, with limits coming quick when the weather allows. Striped bass and bluefish are lighting up the surface as birds work bait pods across the harbors and bays. It’s a full-on run-and-gun scenario with boats chasing blitzes from sunrise to sunset.

Squid in the Harbors = Bass Bonanza!

The harbors are absolutely alive right now with schools of squid, and when the squid show up, you know the bass aren’t far behind. In this episode, Captain Gaige shares exclusive underwater footage captured this week showing what’s really happening below the surface—don’t miss it!

Raffle Winner Shout-Out!

Congratulations to Eric Hernandez, winner of our Anniversary Raffle! Eric put his brand-new Star Rods & Stradic combo to the test last weekend, landing monster blackfish on his buddy’s 42-foot boat. Great job, Eric—you earned that one!

Stay Tuned & Share the Show

As we roll into November, we’ve got more raffles, giveaways, and special guest captains lined up. Help us grow the Bay Rats & Buoys community—share this episode with a friend, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and keep the comments coming!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

In this week’s Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast Episode 54, Captain Gaige kicks things off with a bang by announcing the winner of our One-Year Anniversary Raffle Giveaway! One lucky fan takes home a Star Rods Stellar Lite 6’6” medium fast rod paired with a Stradic 3000 reel, fully spooled with 20lb braid and ready to hammer blackfish this fall! The winner is revealed right away in the opening minutes—so don’t skip a second of this one.

As we roll into late October, the North Shore of Long Island is alive with action and stories from the Sound. Captain Gaige dives into a hot topic this week—boats running aground—as more traffic floods the harbors with tournaments underway and anglers pushing tides to the limit. He breaks down what went wrong, what to watch out for, and the safety habits every boater should refresh before heading out for their next trip.

Then it’s time to talk bait—Asian and green crab do’s and don’ts for the fall tautog (blackfish) bite! Whether you’re a seasoned tog veteran or a weekend warrior listen up! 

The local tournament scene has boats buzzing and docks packed this week, adding energy and competition to already hot fall fishing. Meanwhile, massive flocks of birds are gathering across the bays—an unmistakable sign that the bait migration is on and the bass, blues, and tog are following right behind.

There are just five weeks left in the North Shore season, and this episode is all about closing it out strong. Whether you’re targeting a trophy striped bass, loading the cooler with jumbo porgies, or dialing in on blackfish, now is the time to hit the water.

 Tune in, find out if you’re the raffle winner, and get fired up for the final stretch of 2025!

#BayRatsAndBuoys #FishingPodcast #TautogSeason #Blackfish #StarRods #Stradic3000 #LongIslandSound #FallRun #FishingGiveaway #CaptainGaige

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Episode 53 – Fall Run Frenzy & Extended Giveaway! | Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast

It’s another action-packed week on Bay Rats & Buoys as Captain Gaige dives into the heart of the fall fishing season and announces some huge news for our listeners! The One-Year Anniversary Giveaway is officially extended through next Friday, October 24th, giving everyone one more week to enter for a chance to win a Star Rods Stellar Lite 6’6” Medium-Fast Rod paired with a Shimano Stradic 3000, spooled and ready with 20lb braid! All you have to do is comment “Congrats” and #bayratsyearone on any of our social media posts to get in on the action. The live drawing will stream next Friday, so don’t miss your shot at this premium setup that’s perfect for the tog, bass, and albie bite we’re seeing right now!

With the recent storm behind us, the crew is itching to get back on the water chasing striped bass, false albacore, bonito, and of course blackfish (tautog) — the season is officially underway and the bite has been solid! The Long Island Sound is alive with life right now, from giant porgies to a surprisingly strong weakfish bite, making October one of the best months to fish the North Shore. Captain Gaige asks “Where are the bunker?”

In this week’s discussion, Gaige also throws out an exciting new idea — an end-of-season Tog Competition for fans and followers of the podcast! No entry fee, just bragging rights, camaraderie, and a shot at closing out 2025 with a bang alongside your fellow Bay Rats. He’s calling on all local anglers and loyal listeners to message in with thoughts, ideas, and official weigh station locations to help make it happen!

Whether you’re on the boat, at the dock, or just dreaming about your next trip, this episode is full of laughs, salt, and late-season fishing talk that every diehard angler can relate to. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share to help grow the Bay Rats & Buoys community — and make sure you’re tuned in live next week to see who reels in the anniversary prize!

 Subscribe on YouTube |  Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

#BayRatsAndBuoys #FishingPodcast #TogSeason #FallRun #StarRods #Stradic #LongIslandSoundFishing

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

It’s official — Bay Rats & Buoys turns ONE!  Episode 52 marks an incredible milestone for Captain Gaige, First Mate Kory, and every salty fan who’s been part of this wild ride from day one. This week’s two-hour anniversary episode is packed with laughs, chaos, gratitude, and some big surprises for our loyal listeners and sponsors who helped make this dream a reality.

FREE ROD & REEL COMBO GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate our one-year anniversary, we’re giving away a Star Rods Stellar Lite 6’6” Medium Fast rod paired with a Shimano Stradic 3000 loaded with 20lb braid — fully rigged and ready for Opening Day of Blackfish (Tautog) Season!

To enter, comment “Congrats” and include the hashtag #BayRatsYearOne right here on YouTube , Facebook and any of the social media platforms  for your chance to win!

Captain Gaige kicks off this episode with a hilarious (and slightly painful) story about last week’s unexpected chaos on the water — proving once again that not every day on the boat goes as planned! From busted gear to big laughs, this episode dives deep into the real life of a working captain balancing charters, podcasts, and family life. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflections never shared before anywhere else.

Want to Support the Show?

Many of you have asked how to donate — and now you can! Use the Venmo link in the description below to help keep the podcast growing. Every contribution goes right back into improving production, gear, and giveaways for the Bay Rats & Buoys community.

Next Week Sneak Peek:

Don’t miss Episode 53 as Captain Gaige goes LIVE for the first time ever, streaming the official drawing for the rod and reel combo plus announcing the next $600 prize giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who tunes in weekly, comments, shares, and spreads the Bay Rats & Buoys word! From all of us aboard — we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Here’s to another year of tight lines, loud laughs, and unforgettable adventures on the water!

Subscribe | Comment | Share

Let’s keep building this salty community together — see you out on the water, Bay Rats!

#BayRatsAndBuoys #FishingPodcast #TautogSeason #BlackfishOpeningDay #FishingGiveaway #LongIslandSoundFishing #CaptainGaige

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

The action is heating up in Episode 51 of Bay Rats & Buoys as Captain Gaige takes you through one of the most exciting weeks of the season! We’re just one week away from our one-year anniversary, and the celebration is already building. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to be entered into our Anniversary Raffle—winners will be announced next week!

Offshore Bite is On Fire

From the offshore canyons 100 miles out to the dragger lines just 30 miles off the beach, the bite is absolutely red hot! Tuna are crushing baits, mahi are lighting up the spread, and even swords are making their presence known. The weather has been perfect to get offshore, and anglers who made the run were rewarded with some of the best pelagic action of the season.

Bonito Frenzy in the Sound

Closer to home, the eastern Long Island Sound is alive with bonito, creating a frenzy for anglers willing to put in the time. Albies have also popped into the back bays and harbors, giving near-shore anglers their shot at drag-screaming action without having to burn the fuel to head offshore. These fast-moving pelagics make fall one of the most exciting times of the year to fish in our waters.

Inshore Bottom Fishing & Blues

If that wasn’t enough, the bottom bite is lights out! Jumbo porgies, black sea bass, and weakfish are filling coolers across the Sound. Add in massive schools of bluefish and an endless supply of bait, and the stage is set for the striped bass fall run to kick off as soon as the nights cool down and water temps drop. Striped bass are already being landed in Montauk, and the western Sound is eagerly waiting for their shot at the big push.

Community Spotlight

A big shout-out to Andrew, our local champ from the first annual Bay Rats & Buoys Striped Bass Invitational, who stayed persistent and was rewarded this week with an epic bonito bite! Stories like his remind us why we love fishing—putting in the time, chasing the fish, and reaping the rewards.

Now is the time to book a fall charter with Sand City Fishing—this is hands-down the most fun time of year to be on the water. Come join us and experience the action for yourself!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/