In this Black Friday special of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Captain Scott break down the best fishing-friendly deals you can grab this holiday season — from portable power stations to custom rods, killer reel discounts, and even a unique “deal” from WDFW that lets you skip the crowds and go catch jumbo trout instead.

Fresh off an epic razor clam dig, they share what’s actually worth spending your money on, what gear they personally use on the water, and how to turn Black Friday into a day of fishing memories with your family instead of battling long lines and chaotic parking lots.

What You’ll Learn

• The exact battery + solar power brands that hold up on real boats (and why wattage surge capacity matters).
• Why the Bluetti power stations are especially hot this year—and how they compare to Goal Zero.
• How to snag 40% off KastKing gear, including reels, combos, and the fillet knife they swear by.
• The benefits of custom-built Rainshadow rods and how to save 25% with a November-only code. 
• How to turn Black Friday into fishing day instead of shopping day using WDFW’s statewide jumbo trout stocking.
• Which lakes around Western Washington are currently stocked and ready for easy family fishing.
• December 5th at LFS in Bellingham - Ladies day deals you DO NOT want to miss!

Resources Mentioned

(When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission!) 

• Episode 39 – Powering Starlink + battery deep dive
• Bluetti Power Stations – various watt-hour models on Amazon 
• Pro Lite Custom Rods
  • Use code BUILDSEASON25 for 25% off (November only)
• KastKing Black Friday Deals – reels, combos & 40% off accessories
• KastKing Fillet Knife – ~$32 before discount (Please check this link, it’s the general one from the store but I didn’t know which knife you were referring to)
• WDFW Black Friday Trout Stocking Info – statewide jumbo trout list
• Anglers Unlimited Gold Inner Circle (monthly fishing seminars & resources)
• Ladies night at LFS

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott dive into one of their favorite winter traditions — razor clam digging on the Washington coast. Whether you’re planning your very first dig or looking to fine-tune your setup for better results, this episode walks you step-by-step through how to plan, gear up, find the clams, and cook them up into delicious meals.

From choosing the right tides and beaches to avoiding rookie mistakes and making the experience family-friendly, Jamie and Scott share their own wins, fails, and funny stories (including how not to camp in a windstorm 🌪️). By the end, you’ll feel ready and excited to grab your waders, dig some clams, and make unforgettable coastal memories.

What You’ll Learn

✅ How to plan your first razor clam dig — from picking tides to choosing the right beach
✅ Tips for booking the best coastal stays (including hidden deals and veteran-friendly spots)
✅ The essential gear setup — what to buy and what to skip.
✅ How to find clam “shows” and avoid wasting time digging in the wrong spot
✅ Cleaning and cooking your catch
✅ Family and kid-friendly tips to make clamming fun (and not cold and miserable!)
✅ Safety reminders for night digs, beach driving, and storing your catch properly

Resources Mentioned

(When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission!) 

• WDFW Razor Clam Updates & Tide Schedules
• Anglers Unlimited Gold Inner Circle (monthly fishing seminars & resources)
• Pacific Beach Resort & Recreation Area (Navy Lodging)
• Beau Mac Aluminum Clam Gun
• Clamming Net
  
  

In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie shifts gears from the usual fishing talk to share unique winter adventures around Anacortes, Whidbey Island, and the San Juan Islands. Whether you want to stay connected to the water without launching the boat, or you’re craving new places to explore during the off-season, this episode covers three must-try winter ferry day trips—including hidden gems, coffee shops, hikes, island tips, and creative ways to boost your mood and productivity during the dark, rainy months.

What Listeners Will Learn

- Why winter in the San Juans is one of the best times to explore the islands
- Three ferry-based day trips perfect for solo adventures, families, or work-from-home creativity boosts
- How to use the Washington State Ferry schedule to plan your adventure
- Where to find the best coffee, breweries, bookstores, hikes, and scenic views
- Tips for biking the islands, visiting docks and marinas, and checking seasonal dock closures
- Lesser-known spots like the Guemes Island General Store, the Starlight Room theater, and quiet anchorages.

Resources Mentioned:

• Washington State Ferries 
• Join the Anglers Unlimited Gold Waitlist
• Salty Fox Coffee (San Juan Island) 
• San Juan Island Brewing Co. 
• Parks WA – Dock & State Park Information
• Better Living Through Coffee (Port Townsend)
• The Rose Theatre (Port Townsend)
• Guemes Island General Store

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott sit down with the multi-talented guide Brianna Bruce, owner of Livin’ Life Adventures — a year-round guide service covering nearly every fishery in Washington State. Brianna shares her inspiring story of turning her lifelong love for fishing into a full-time guiding career and how she’s helping anglers of all levels build skills and make memories on the water.

From salmon and steelhead to walleye and crappie — and yes, squid fishing — Brianna breaks down why exploring new fisheries is key to becoming a more versatile angler. You’ll learn her mindset for approaching any species, how to avoid common beginner mistakes, and why winter squid jigging might be the most fun (and delicious) way to stay fishing year-round.

What Listeners Will Learn:

✅How Brianna turned her childhood passion for fishing into a full-time guiding career
✅Why trying new fisheries like squid, kokanee, and crappie can make you a better angler overall
✅Brianna’s method for learning new fisheries quickly — from e-scouting to hands-on learning
✅The biggest mistakes beginners make (and how to fix them)
✅The surprising crossover skills between lingcod, walleye, and other species
✅How to prepare for and succeed at squid fishing in Puget Sound (even from the pier!)
✅Why mindset and patience matter more than catching limits

Resources Mentioned

- Livin’ Life Adventures – Book a trip with Brianna: www.livinlifeadventures.com
- Email Brianna: [email protected]
- Follow Brianna on Facebook: Livin’ Life Adventures
- Join the Anglers Unlimited Inner Circle waitlist to get access to Bree’s full training tutorial

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you behind the scenes of their elk hunting trip in Idaho — where staying connected meant relying on Starlink internet. They break down how Starlink keeps them online while traveling, fishing, or living off-grid, and why it’s become a total game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. From setup and power options to speed tests and satellite tracking, this episode gives you everything you need to know to stay connected anywhere your adventures take you.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How Starlink works for travelers, boaters, and remote workers
✅ The difference between Starlink’s Residential, Roam, and Marine plans
✅ Powering your setup: using inverters, Goal Zero batteries, and even DeWalt tools
✅ How weather and terrain affect Starlink performance
✅ Mounting options for vehicles, boats, and campsites
✅ Safety tips for staying connected during hunts and fishing trips
✅ Pro hacks to save money and get gear deals at REI’s resupply section

Resources Mentioned: (When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission!) 

• Starlink Internet Plans
• Find Starlink Satellite Tracker
• Live Satellite Map
• Goal Zero Yeti 300 Battery
• REI Resupply (Used Gear Deals)
• DeWalt 20V Battery Adapters for Starlink: Available on Amazon

In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie takes us deep into Idaho’s Selway wilderness for her first-ever elk hunt. With Scott out on the mountain and Starlink powering her remote setup, Jamie shares the lessons, surprises, and humbling beauty of stepping into a brand-new challenge.

From understanding elk migration patterns and predator behavior to embracing the beginner’s mindset and the power of disconnecting, this episode is packed with field-tested wisdom that applies to hunting, fishing, and life outdoors.

 What Listeners Will Learn

• Elk hunting basics — patterning movement, behavior, and seasonal shifts
• The importance of gear like Garmin inReach and Starlink for off-grid safety and communication
• How predator activity (like wolves) affects elk behavior and herd locations
• Elk migration and bedding patterns from real data and studies
• Why fire, elevation, and human pressure change hunting success
• The mindset shift that comes from doing something new and hard in nature

Resources Mentioned

• Garmin inReach Satellite Communicator 
• Starlink Internet for Remote Work
• Idaho Fish & Game Hunt Units Map  
• Elk Habitat Selection Research (Journal of Wildlife Management)
• Ungulate Migration in Changing CLimate Research
• OnX Hunt Mapping App 
• Interested in joining our inner circle community? Click here to join the waitlist!

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Scott and Jamie sit down with Darrin and Karey Small—better known as the Black Dog Couple in the Pacific Northwest fishing community. 

From derby wins to running one of the largest Puget Sound Anglers chapters, this powerhouse couple shares their adventures of fishing together, traveling to Bamfield, BC, and building a lifestyle around both community and adventure. 

They dive into how to plan a cross-border fishing trip, tackle Canadian regulations, deal with ferries, gear up for big salmon in a remote location, and still make time for whale watching and bear spotting. 

Whether you’re planning your first Canadian fishing adventure or just looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insider knowledge and great stories.

What Listeners Will Learn

• How to plan a fishing trip to Bamfield, BC (ferries, road conditions, parking, and lodging).
• Canadian fishing regulations, licenses, and possession limits you need to know.
• Best times of year for kings, coho, and sockeye, plus insider derby details.
• Tips on gear, hot baits, and setups that produced limits.
• Travel hacks for ferries, parking, and fuel.
• Adventure extras: wildlife watching, local pubs, and amenities for your trip.
• Processing and transporting your fish across the border safely and legally.
  
  

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• BC Ferries  
• Poet Nook Marina & Campground (note: privatized, limited sites available) 
• Gone Fishin’ Tackle Store – Port Alberni
• Canadian Fishing Licenses (online purchase)
• Floras Restaurant in Bamfield – local favorite for dining after fishing
• Fishing BC App (free)
  • Google Play Store
  • Apple Store

Most anglers buy a fish finder, mount the transducer, and hit the water thinking they’re set. But here’s the truth: if you don’t know how to actually read your sonar, you’re probably just looking at the bottom—and missing the fish swimming right beneath you.

In this episode, Jamie & Scott sit down with Navy-trained sonar expert Steve Chamberlin, who has over 30 years of experience turning sonar from “complicated electronics” into a powerful tool any angler can use. Steve explains the mistakes that keep anglers blind to fish, why cone angles and frequencies matter more than you realize, and how a few simple adjustments can instantly make your sonar clearer and more reliable.

If you’re tired of guessing at arches, running your unit on auto, or wondering whether you can really trust what’s on your screen, this episode will give you the confidence to finally put your sonar to work—and catch more fish because of it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why most anglers underutilize their sonar and how to change that
• How cone angle, frequency, and swim bladders affect what you see on your screen
• The #1 setup mistake people make with their transducers (and how to fix it)
• Simple tips to dial in your sonar so you can spot fish consistently
• Why auto mode isn’t your friend when fishing—and how to adjust settings the right way
• How to gain confidence in your electronics so you can focus on your lines and catching fish

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Puget Sound Anglers Association
• Garmin Sonar & Transducers 
• Interested in joining our inner circle community? Click here to join the waitlist!

Squid fishing in Puget Sound isn’t just popular—it’s exploding. But here’s the truth: most beginners show up at the pier unprepared, get tangled, frustrated, and leave empty-handed. 

Don’t let that be you.

In this episode, Jamie and Scott sit down with squidding expert Joe Kim, the man behind the Edmonds Squid Fishing community (10,000+ members strong) and maker of custom squid jigs. Joe reveals the exact setup you need, the jigging mistakes that cost you bites, and the unwritten rules of pier etiquette that can make or break your night. He also shares how to clean, cook, and even use squid as secret bait for other species.

If you’re serious about hitting the pier this season—or just want to know why thousands of anglers can’t get enough of squid—this episode will save you time, gear headaches, and frustration.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The exact rod, reel, and line setup Joe recommends.
• The jigging rhythm that triggers squid strikes.
• How to tell a squid bite from a fish hit.
• The #1 mistake new squid fishers make (and how to avoid it).
• Etiquette rules to follow when fishing shoulder-to-shoulder.
• The best ways to store, clean, and cook your catch.
• Why squid is unbeatable bait for crabbing, halibut, and lingcod.

Resources & Links

• Join the Edmonds Squid Fishing Facebook group: [Join Joe’s Group]
• Get Joe’s squid jigs on Amazon
• Bonus videos inside Joe’s community (jigging + cleaning demos).
  • Joe’s Gear List
• Join the Anglers Unlimited Circle Community→ email [email protected]  with the subject line “Catch More Fish” for more information. 

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you along for a September day on the water between Salmon Bank and Eagle Point in Marine Area 7. Fresh off the Salmon for Soldiers event in Everett, they share stories of fishing with veterans, tips for targeting coho in September, and tactical advice for managing crowded waters. From choosing the right gear and lures to handling unexpected whale encounters, this episode is packed with knowledge, community spirit, and plenty of coho action.

What You’ll Learn

• The mission and impact of Salmon for Soldiers and how you can get involved.
• September coho fishing strategies in Everett, San Juan Islands, and beyond.
• Gear tips: hoochies, spoons, and leader lengths that consistently produced fish.
• Boat ramp hacks and crowd navigation during busy fishing weekends.
• Whale safety rules every angler needs to know when orcas and transients appear.
• Pro tips: why checking your gear often makes or breaks a good day.

Resources Mentioned

• Salmon for Soldiers organization → https://salmonforsoldiers.org 
• Harbor Marine, Everett, WA (event host site) → https://www.harbormarine.net 
• Join the Anglers Unlimited Circle Community→ email [email protected]  with the subject line “Catch More Fish” for more information.