The NJ Multi Species Podcast

🚨 **NJ STOCKS THE FISH… SO WHY CAN'T WE FISH?**

On Episode #166 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast, Joe Santiago and Kim Sorg welcome **Mike Herman of Yellow Dog Paddle** for a controversial discussion about fishing access, state-stocked fisheries, and private reservoir restrictions in New Jersey.

Mike shares his firsthand experience at Merrill Creek Reservoir, where he says changing regulations led to him being banned from guiding clients and eventually fishing there personally.

🎣 **TOPICS INCLUDE:**

• Merrill Creek Reservoir fishing restrictions and controversial rule changes

• Why Yellow Dog Paddle was banned from guiding and fishing there

• Should NJ Fish & Wildlife continue stocking privately managed reservoirs with restricted public access?

• How fishing restrictions affect disabled anglers, seniors, and families

• Bass tournaments, parking issues, and limited fishing hours

• Newark Watershed fishing permits and access restrictions

• Should New Jersey require licenses and insurance for freshwater fishing guides?

• Lake trout, landlocked salmon, and Round Valley Reservoir management

• Seasonal closures, wildlife protection, and possible solutions for public access

PLUS: Joe and Kim discuss the incredible fall sea bass bite, early striped bass action, Lake Hopatcong hybrids and walleyes, and the latest NJ Multi Species Mayhem standings.

🔥 **WE WANT YOUR OPINION!**

If your fishing license helps pay for stocked fish, should you have reasonable access to catch them?

Join the conversation in our Multi Species Mayhem Facebook group!

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**SUFFER FOR THE FISH!**

#NJMultiSpecies #MerrillCreekReservoir #YellowDogPaddle #NewJerseyFishing #FishingAccess #FishingPodcast

Legendary angler Crazy Alberto Knie finally joins the NJ Multi Species Podcast!

Joe Santiago and Kim Sorg talk with Alberto about a lifetime of trophy hunting, including six striped bass over 60 pounds from shore, his line-class record, fishing logs, slack-tide trophy striper tactics and why the biggest fish can be “big, fat and lazy.”

Alberto also dives into blackfish, snakeheads, multi-species fishing, Tactical Anglers, supporting independent tackle shops and the story behind the legendary Alberto Knot.

He also opens up about his serious health scare, his recovery and how getting back outside to chase fish became part of his motivation.

Plus, Joe and Kim recap the NJ Multi Species Mayhem Pig Roast & Bonfire, Mayhem standings and the latest fall fishing action.

Suffer for the Fish.

Snakeheads, bowfin, topwater explosions and handcrafted New Jersey fishing lures!

Joe Santiago and Kim Sorg are joined by Frank from Seducer Lures for a freshwater-focused episode all about South Jersey snakehead fishing.

Frank explains where he targets snakeheads, how the fishery has expanded through South Jersey, what separates snakeheads from bowfin, seasonal fishing patterns, and why these aggressive fish have developed such a dedicated following.

We also dive into Seducer Lures and the unique floating-head design that allows anglers to turn different soft plastics into topwater presentations built to handle snakeheads.

Plus: Multi Species Mayhem standings, fall fishing reports, the upcoming Pig Roast, Joe's miserable muskie trip, and a preview of next week's discussion about the growing New Jersey shark-fishing controversy.

Suffer For The Fish!

#NJMultiSpecies #SnakeheadFishing #SeducerLures #NJFishing #SouthJerseyFishing #FreshwaterFishing #Bowfin #FishingPodcast

Captain Dave Savage and Dee from D&D Crabbing and Fishing Charters join Episode 163!

After fishing with Captain Dave ourselves, we wanted to find out how D&D has been putting together impressive South Jersey fluke trips during a challenging season.

Dave breaks down deep-water fluke fishing, light tackle, boat control, following bait, working wrecks and constantly moving to stay on fish. Then, for the first time in 163 episodes, we dive into crabbing and learn exactly how D&D's family-friendly blue crab trips work.

We also talk South Jersey tog fishing, catching your own blackfish bait, fishing different sides of wrecks, sea bass, giant bluefin sightings and the realities of running a successful charter operation.

Plus: Lip Glu Bass Throwdown results, Multi Species Mayhem standings, tilefish, The Gambler, hybrid stripers, Delaware River walleye and a tease for a huge surf-fishing guest next week.

Suffer for the Fish.

Capt. Paul Eidman of Menhaden Defenders returns to NJMSP for an important conversation about the current state of Atlantic menhaden.

Paul discusses the decline he's seeing in bunker, commercial harvest, Omega Protein, upcoming management decisions and why menhaden are critical not only to striped bass, but also tuna, whales, dolphins, ospreys, bald eagles and the entire coastal ecosystem.

Joe and Kim also recap some deep-water fluke fishing, cover the latest Multi Species Mayhem news, and preview the September 26 Pig Roast & Bonfire.

Then Dan Termini of Bluff Lures returns with an update on his Mantis lure. When we first saw it, the lure hadn't even hit the water yet. Now it's catching giant striped bass and cobia—and Dan thinks there could be plenty more species to come.

NJ Multi Species Podcast #162

Suffer for the Fish.

Scotty Sevens returns for Episode 161 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast for a passionate conversation about sheepshead, sharks, tuna, conservation, and the future of New Jersey fishing.

Scotty talks about his lifelong obsession with shark fishing, chasing bluefin tuna, the impact social media is having on fisheries, and why fishing should be about experiences and memories rather than likes and clout.

The conversation turns heavily toward New Jersey’s trophy sheepshead fishery, including selective harvest, Release Over 20, Scotty’s tagging efforts, the surprising movements he's observing, and why he believes these incredible fish need greater protection.

Joe also recaps the Multi Species Mayhem trip aboard The Gambler, and the crew previews upcoming conversations about menhaden, shark fishing, drones, and New Jersey fishing regulations.

Suffer for the Fish.

Samantha Rosario — The Reel Sam — joins Episode #160 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast to tell the story of how she went from a brand-new angler to building a rapidly growing fishing following in only about a year.

Sam got hooked immediately when her first fishing trip produced a 45+ inch striped bass from the surf. Since then, she has thrown herself into surfcasting, striped bass, freshwater bass fishing and learning everything she can about the sport.

We talk about her viral social media growth, a fishing video that reached nearly 900,000 views, dealing with online comments, being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport, her career as a fashion designer, and her plans to combine fishing with her creative work.

Sam also tells us why fishing has become a form of therapy for her and why tuna fishing is high on her list of what she wants to tackle next.

Plus: The Gambler Night Mayhem trip, the Multi Species Mayhem Pig Roast and Bass Throwdown, freshwater and saltwater standings, current New Jersey fishing, bluefin tuna and upcoming NJMSP guests.

Suffer for the Fish.

Captain Bob Woods of Nauti Dawg Charters joins Episode #159 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast!

Bob brings more than 20 years of U.S. Coast Guard experience to the show as we talk charter fishing out of Point Pleasant, his 35-foot Henriques, bottom fishing, fluke, sea bass, offshore trips, customer service, scattering ashes at sea, memorial charters, and why he says he’s “chasing memories” instead of simply chasing money.

Bob also drops some big news about a potential 48 Chesapeake that could become the next chapter for Nauti Dawg Charters.

Joe and Kim also cover the latest New Jersey fishing action, including inshore bluefin, mahi, fluke, The Gambler, Eight Ball Sport Fishing, the Multi Species Mayhem standings, the August 22 Night Mayhem trip, and the upcoming Mayhem Pig Roast.

Suffer for the Fish.

oe Santiago and Kim Sorg welcome Rob Rizzo, owner of American Hooker Tackle, to Episode #158 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast.

Rob explains how losing a pile of rigs during a fishing trip inspired him to begin pouring lead and making his own tackle. What started as a hobby eventually became a growing New Jersey fishing business producing tog jigs, fluke ball jigs, fluke spoons, sea bass jigs and hand-tied rigs.

Rob discusses the challenges of choosing molds, hooks, weights, colors and materials while trying to keep fishing gear affordable. He also explains how to fish tog jigs, why anglers should carry multiple colors and sizes, and how UV finishes may appear differently underwater.

As a deckhand aboard the Norma K III, Rob gets to test his products around experienced anglers and help children catch fish using tackle he created.

Kim also tells the story of catching a 52-inch inshore bluefin tuna during a last-minute afternoon trip. Joe recaps an exhausting multispecies adventure with Chuck Many that produced an unexpected 24.5-inch brown trout.

The episode also includes fishing reports, Multi Species Mayhem standings, upcoming NJ Multi Species events, Night Mayhem aboard The Gambler and the launch of new Comfort Colors apparel.

Suffer for the Fish.

Kim Sorg heads offshore on a last-minute bluefin tuna trip and comes home successful! Joe and Kevin recap an incredible day fishing the Fluke Fever Tournament aboard 8 Ball Sportfishing before welcoming Francesca Mundrick of Rewild New Jersey back to discuss conservation, reconnecting people with nature, and the future of New Jersey's outdoor spaces.

Later, Jerry Hicks reveals the innovative Santiago System—the first interchangeable multi-species landing net—and NJMS announces Night Mayhem aboard The Gambler, plus updates on Multi Species Mayhem standings, Fast Eddie's fundraiser, and much more.