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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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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Support the show

Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube
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Email: [email protected]

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Support the show

Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube
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Email: [email protected]

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Support the show

Fat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTube
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Email: [email protected]