Bay Rats & Buoys

Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast – Episode 50

We’ve officially made it to Episode 50, and we’re only two weeks away from celebrating our one-year anniversary! That means it’s time to crank things up a notch with giveaways, fishing action, and a reminder to like, comment, and follow us to be entered into our anniversary giveaway. We want to thank all of our loyal listeners and viewers who’ve been on this ride with us since day one—your support keeps the Bay Rats & Buoys crew rolling.

Fall Run in Full Swing

The fall run is heating up across Long Island Sound! Water temperatures are dropping, bass and blues are on the chew, and the excitement for blackfish (tautog) season is off the charts. While the official opener is just two weeks away, we’re already seeing keeper tog showing up in our area. Don’t forget to tune in each week for updates on regulations, limits, and the latest fishing reports. The late-season fluke bite is still hanging on until mid-October, giving anglers a shot at one last doormat before the cold sets in.

Father & Son Day on the Sound

This episode is a special one—Captain Gaige takes his 12-year-old son Ethan out for a day of fishing. With the Sound as flat as a lake, Ethan got to put in some serious wheel time, honing his boat-handling and captain skills. He even learned how to use the new electronics on board, dialing in on the fish and soaking up every bit of the experience. White Gulp on chicken rigs was the ticket, and Ethan had fish on almost every drop—cocktail blues and keeper fluke kept the rods bent and the smiles wide. Nothing beats time on the water with family, and this trip was one for the memory books.

Hardtail Madness & Harbor Surprises

While we were focused on fluke and blues, the albies showed up right in the harbor—and it was absolute chaos! Ten to twelve boats sprinted over to get in on the hardtail action. That’s fall fishing in the Northeast—one second you’re drifting fluke, the next you’re chasing speeding pods of false albacore busting bait on the surface.

Don’t Miss Out

The fall season is short but sweet—get out there now while the action is hot. Join us every week as we count down to the anniversary and bring you the best from the Sound. Like, comment, and subscribe to Bay Rats & Buoys—you might be our next giveaway winner!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

This week on Bay Rats & Buoys, Captain Gaige is back on the boat, just three weeks away from the one-year anniversary of the podcast! After days of relentless winds stirring up the Sound, the seas finally laid down and shifted direction just in time for this recording. That break in the weather set the stage for a raw, on-the-water episode filled with fishing talk, salty banter, and plenty of laughs.

 The week kicked off with a surprise appearance from Manny—better known around here as “Manny from the West"  who knows best. True to his reputation, Manny rolled down the dock armed with a bag of warm bagels, hot coffee, and a case of slim Diet Cokes, fueling up the captain for what would be a wet and wild run into some snotty conditions.  

Despite the sloppy seas, the energy is high on deck. Gaige dives into stories about chasing fish when the weather breaks, how wind shifts affect bait movement, and what conditions mean for the fall migration patterns we’re seeing in the Sound. With water temps cooling and the season pushing deeper into September, listeners get an insider’s view into how a seasoned charter captain adjusts strategy when the elements turn.

Another guest this week is Chef Rob, who made the trip all the way up from South Carolina to spend time on the boat with Captain Gaige. While the early morning weather kept us closer to home and with a limited fishing window due to Chef Rob's departure time we still made the most of this trip!  Between the laughs, the videos, and the photo's of smaller species made larger than life, the stories flowed freely all morning.

Whether you’re here for the fishing talk, the boating lifestyle, or just the salty laughs, Episode 49 has it all. Strap in, crack open a cold one (or a slim Diet Coke if you’re riding with the Captain), and join us for another ride out into the Sound with Bay Rats & Buoys.

 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share to get entered into our anniversary giveaway's just 3 weeks away!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Spanish Mackerel Feeding Frenzy & The Cocktail Bluefish Invasion Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast 

This week’s episode of Bay Rats & Buoys is all about the hot action happening right now in our local waters! Captain Gaige is breaking down the lures and tackle that worked best for us this week chasing multiple inshore species. We stopped into Hi-Hook Bait & Tackle in Huntington to load up, and the gear did not disappoint. Spanish mackerel made a strong showing, and we even had them spitting up spearing as they hit the deck. These lightning-fast predators are a blast to catch, and they’ve become one of our favorite targets during this part of the season.



On top of that, the cocktail bluefish invasion is in full swing across the Sound. If you’re looking for rod-bending action, these aggressive blues are stacked up and feeding hard. Just a little further east, the gator blues are chewing as well, so we’re planning our next trip to lock horns with those big toothy brutes. Looking ahead, we’re gearing up to chase false albacore (albies) and bonito on our upcoming expeditions. The fall run is heating up, and now’s the time to be on the water.



Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting special guest Jo Jo Napoli — “Captain of the Kitchen” — on the boat. Not only did he help us get on the Spanish macks, but he’s also showing you how to catch and cook these tasty speedsters on his YouTube channel. Whether you want tips on finding fish or putting them on the dinner table, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.



Captain Gaige also highlights a few boating products and gear upgrades that every angler should consider as we head into cooler weather. Safety, comfort, and efficiency on the water are always priorities, especially as the fall bite ramps up.



And here’s the best part — you can fish with us! We’re inviting fans and followers to join us on future trips. All you have to do is comment and interact with us here on YouTube and Facebook. Every like, comment, and share also enters you into our big anniversary raffle as we count down just 4 weeks until our 1-year celebration!



🎣 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this week’s episode of Bay Rats & Buoys. Tight lines, and we’ll see you out on the water!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast – Episode 47 | Season 2 | On the Boat

Labor Day weekend is officially in the rearview mirror, and we hope everyone got out to enjoy some time on the water! Whether you were fishing, boating, or just soaking up the last days of summer, the Bay Rats & Buoys crew is here to keep the stoke alive. In this week’s episode, Captain Gaige is back recording right from the boat, bringing you all the energy and local insight that makes this podcast a must-listen for anglers and boaters across Long Island and beyond.

We’re asking all of our loyal fans and sponsors to help us celebrate as we count down to our one-year anniversary—just five weeks away! Hit that like button, drop a comment, and share this episode on your social media feeds to enter our big raffle giveaway. We’ve got some epic prizes lined up as a thank-you for riding with us all season long.

Behind the scenes, Bay Rats & Buoys has some huge projects in motion. We’re gearing up for the 2026 New York Boat Show, preparing to launch the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club in 2026, and locking in dates for our Second Annual Striped Bass Invitational this coming June. With your continued support, this community keeps growing stronger every week!

On the fishing front, we stopped into Hi Hook Bait & Tackle in Huntington to showcase some killer products designed for chasing false albacore (albies), which are starting to show up in our waters. Albies, bonito, and Spanish mackerel are all on our hit list as we explore new grounds this week with our buddy Tony, the Captain of the Kitchen. September fishing is heating up, and the action promises to be fast, fun, and loaded with opportunities to bend rods.

Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, but the season is far from over. Charters are in full swing, the Autumnal Equinox arrives on September 22, and we’re looking forward to closing out summer strong with our friends in the boating and fishing community. Tune in, share the stoke, and we’ll see you out on the water!

 Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share to be part of the Bay Rats & Buoys anniversary raffle!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast Episode 46 – Labor Day Weekend Fishing Report, Albies, Tuna & Offshore Action!

Labor Day Weekend 2025 is here, and it’s shaping up to be one of the busiest boating and fishing weekends of the year on the Long Island Sound and beyond! In this week’s episode of the Bay Rats & Buoys podcast, Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory bring you an action-packed report loaded with updates on targeting false albacore (albies), Spanish mackerel, bonito, tuna, mahi, and wahoo. September is prime time to be on the water, and our North Shore fishery is alive with opportunities for all anglers! 

This past week, Hurricane Erin made headlines after sinking boats and even sending Kory’s dinghy across the bay! The storm may have been destructive, but it fired up the bite offshore—anglers reported the tuna grounds were like a “petting zoo” with nonstop action. Bluefin and Yellowfin tuna, mahi, and wahoo are all on the menu, and smaller boats finally have a safe weather window to push out this weekend. We also talk about the chunking season for tuna, which really kicks into gear through September and October.

Closer to home, our bays and harbors produced some keeper weakfish and late-season fluke. Larger fluke have moved to deeper water, but the bite has been strong with consistent action for anglers willing to put in the time. Add in the arrival of albies, Spanish mackerel, and bonito, and it’s no wonder this is one of the most exciting times of year to fish Long Island waters.

We’re also just five weeks away from celebrating the one-year anniversary of Bay Rats & Buoys! To thank our loyal listeners and fans, we’ll start giving away free gear beginning with Episode 47. Now is the perfect time to get involved—comment on this video, share it on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube, and help spread the word about the fastest-growing boating and fishing podcast in the Northeast.

Whether you’re running offshore for tuna, jigging albies inshore, or chunking for weakfish in the bay, this episode is packed with tips, updates, and laughs straight from the crew that lives it every day.

 Subscribe now, drop a comment below, and join the Bay Rats & Buoys community—because fishing is better when we do it together! 

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Hurricane Erin Storm Surge – Bluefish Tournament Weekend | Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast Ep. 45

Welcome back to another exciting week of the Bay Rats & Buoys fishing and boating podcast! In Episode 45, Captain Gaige broadcasts from the studio due to rain and stormy conditions as Hurricane Erin pushes a surge up the Long Island Sound. Even though we’re off the boat this week, there’s still plenty to cover as the WICC Bluefish Tournament heats up. Where are the gator blues hiding this season? We break down reports, tactics, and conditions as anglers across the region gear up for one of the most competitive weekends of the year.

We’re now just 7 weeks away from the one-year anniversary of Bay Rats & Buoys, and that calls for a big celebration! Our journey has been fueled by you—our amazing fans, captains, anglers, and boating community. From striped bass to bluefish, offshore tuna trips, and everything in between, this podcast has become the go-to destination for fishing reports, tournament news, and boating lifestyle content.

This week we also take time to highlight Captain Joey Leggio, who recently suffered a boating accident. Please check out the GoFundMe link in the description to support a fellow captain and his family during this difficult time. The fishing community is strongest when we support one another, and your help means the world.

Our Facebook presence has exploded since February 2025—Captain Gaige’s content creator page now has over 5,000 followers and nearly 4,000 friends! A big shoutout to all the admins in the Long Island fishing groups who help share our podcast episodes each week. Starting now, we’ll mention the groups with the most interaction in every episode—because without you, this growth wouldn’t be possible.

Big news is also on the horizon as we prepare to launch the official Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club, giving fans and anglers exclusive ways to connect, join tournaments, and be part of the movement.

 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video with your fishing buddies. Comment below where you think the bluefish schools will show up for this year’s WICC Tournament—we love shouting out fan comments in every episode!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Episode 44 – Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing & Boating Podcast | Offshore Tuna, Mahi, Tilefish & Local Harbor Wildlife

We’re just 8 weeks away from the one-year anniversary of the Bay Rats & Buoys podcast, and excitement is building! In this week’s episode, Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory bring you all the latest Long Island fishing and boating news, plus an epic offshore report you won’t want to miss.

Kory headed offshore again for one of his best trips of the season, landing bluefin tuna, mahi-mahi, and tilefish. The tuna bite is still hot, but keep in mind—recreational tuna regulations have recently changed, so make sure you know the NOAA fishing rules before heading out.

Closer to home, our harbor and bay are teeming with life—cownose stingrays, dolphin sightings, and even a seal reported this week! It’s the perfect time to join us on the water and experience our world-class fishery just minutes from the dock.

We also give a big shout-out to Jacob from Davy Jones Shellfish Co. and our friends at J&M Seafood—both with big news coming soon. Plus, you’ll hear the wild story about planes landing on the Long Island Sound (and taking off again) that we caught on video!

Other topics this week:

• Boat injuries & the “Captain Gaige bruise factor”
• Why cleaning boats is our version of therapy
• Studio renovations for the off-season
• Launching the new Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club in Season 3, 2026

Whether you’re into striped bass fishing, tuna trolling, boat maintenance, or Long Island Sound adventures, this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and fishing tips.

 Subscribe, share this video with your fishing buddies, and stay tuned as we count down to our one-year anniversary!

#FishingPodcast #LongIslandFishing #BoatingLife #TunaFishing #BayRatsAndBuoys #BluefinTuna #MahiMahi #Tilefish #FishingClub #LongIslandSound

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

In Episode 43 of Bay Rats and Buoys, Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory bring you another action-packed episode focused on striped bass and tuna fishing here on the North Shore of Long Island and beyond! With just 9 weeks to go until our 1-year anniversary, we’re kicking things into high gear with big announcements and even bigger fish stories.



We’re excited to officially launch the Bay Rats and Buoys Fishing Club, kicking off in early 2026! This community-driven club will bring together anglers who live and breathe the salt life — whether you’re targeting cow stripers inshore or chasing tuna offshore, this is for YOU!


 As the Hamptons Shootout gets underway this weekend, we’re also covering a hot topic on the docks: brown sharks! More and more tuna and striped bass fishermen are reporting sharks taking bites out of their catches while still on the line — and we’ve got the full scoop.


Due to high demand, we’re now running open boat fishing trips once or twice a week! Whether you’re looking to fish for striped bass, bluefin tuna, or just hop on with a great crew, now’s your chance.


 Big sponsor news is also coming in September — stay tuned for exclusive gear drops, giveaways, and more ways to get involved with Bay Rats & Buoys.



Watch the video version or stream the podcast on your favorite platform — or visit SandCityCharter.com for all things fishing, podcasting, and charter bookings.


 Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with your fishing buddies and in your local Facebook fishing groups! Tight lines, and thanks for listening every week!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Bay Rats & Buoys Episode 42 – Mid-Summer Moves, Tuna Talk & Studio Upgrades!

Episode 42 is here, and believe it or not—we’re just 10 weeks away from celebrating one full year of Bay Rats & Buoys! This week, we’re dodging passing storms and soaking up the cooler air after a seriously hot stretch here on Long Island. While the weather breaks, the action heats up behind the scenes.

Construction is officially underway at the Bay Rats & Buoys studio as we gear up for a big push into the second half of the season—including prepping for our return to the 2026 NY Boat Show! We’ve also got eyes on the Hamptons Shootout, happening August 10–15. For all the details, check out HamptonsShootout.com.

Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory are shifting gears for some offshore tuna action in the coming days, and we’ll be chasing that inshore bite with plugs and jigs as well. Meanwhile, the boat’s coming out for a mid-summer scrub-down—battle prep for the back half of the season.

August will bring a mix of podcast locations: from the oyster beds at Davy Jones Shellfish Co. to the scenic bar at Whalestales Hamptons with our buddy Sosh. No matter where we are, we’re bringing you the latest fishing updates, salty stories, and coastal happenings from across Long Island.

Big announcements are coming your way by Episode 52—so stay locked in, share the podcast with your crew, and tag your favorite fishing influencers. We’d love to collab!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Bay Rats & Buoys Ep. 41 – Mid-July Bass, Bluefish & Bait Mule Hacks!

Episode 41 of Bay Rats & Buoys is coming to you straight from the deck of the boat in Huntington Harbor on a picture-perfect July day! We’ve officially crossed the mid-July mark and the fishing action is still holding strong. Water temps are ranging from 72° to 76°, and yes — the striped bass are still here! Chunking and live lining have been the go-to techniques, and we even managed to hook into a few aggressive bluefish this week.

Private charters have been busy, and Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory are burning the candle at both ends, now running night chunking trips to stay on the bite. If you want in on the action, head over to SandCityCharter.com and fill out the booking form — we’d love to get you out there while the fish are still chewing!

This week’s episode also features a great local gear tip: Capt. Nick, Capt. Mike, and their wild Uncle John turned us on to a handy product called the Bait Mule — a clever way to keep your GULP baits from leaking all over your tackle bag. We dropped a pic in the episode so you can check it out.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Hamptons Shootout on August 11, 2025 — it’s going to be an epic showdown.

We’re just 11 weeks away from our one-year anniversary of the podcast, and we’re grateful for every listener who’s been on this ride with us. Big shoutout to the Facebook group admins who help us spread the word — you guys rock!

Subscribe, share, and stay tuned. Tight lines, and thanks for listening!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/