Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing

In this episode, we sit down with analytical angler Dan Wells for one of the most detailed breakdowns of nighttime striper fly fishing you'll ever hear. Dan combines military-grade strategic thinking with years of obsessive local scouting to build a system for understanding tides, bait cycles, estuaries, and nighttime feeding behavior. We cover everything from silver-side patterns to herring runs, eel and squid behavior, two-hand casting for big flies, and how to build a 30-minute fishing radius that consistently produces. If you love the craft of surfcasting or fly fishing — especially in Northeast estuaries — this is a masterclass.

Roy Leyva joins The Saltwater Edge to unpack a lifetime of fishing across fresh and salt. We talk Boston roots, 500-plus species, world-record catches from Jamaica Pond, and the universal toolkit of soft plastics and jigs. Roy explains cadence, structure, and why asking "why" beats chasing spots. We finish with the fish he would pick for one last day on Earth. Highlights include the world-record koi and landlocked salmon story in Boston and a practical breakdown of lures that work anywhere.

The Saltwater Edge crew sits down to recap the 2025 season — from surfcasting for bass and flipping kayaks chasing albies, to tuna trips and tropical fish in Rhode Island waters. Hear their go-to lures, biggest surprises, and plans for the rest of the fall run. Topics include: The comeback of albies and bonito Shark encounters on jigs Fly vs spin debates Favorite plugs, colors, and techniques for late fall Listen wherever you get your podcasts

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we sit down with Captain Cody Rubner—guide, conservationist, and one of the most dynamic voices in saltwater fishing. Based in Stuart, Florida, Cody runs High Roller Guide Service and brings a unique blend of marine science, media savvy, and grassroots advocacy to the water every day. We explore Cody's early years fishing Cape Cod jetties, how a childhood obsession with fish evolved into a career in marine biology and guiding, and why his work with the American Saltwater Guides Association and Captains for Clean Water matters now more than ever. Cody also walks us through the incredible variety of Florida's year-round fishery—snook, tarpon, jack crevalle, sailfish, permit, albies, and more—and shares what fuels his passion for teaching others and protecting the resources we all rely on. Topics Covered: Stuart, FL fishery breakdown by season Why curiosity is his North Star Balancing content creation and conservation His work with ASGA and Captains for Clean Water Tips for visiting anglers (and why small flies matter) The joys and challenges of guiding full-time If you care about fishing, clean water, and what the future of saltwater angling looks like, this is one you won't want to miss. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ben Meadows—fisheries economist, conservationist, and passionate redfish angler—for a fascinating dive into the real value of recreational fishing. From the dockside price of a fillet to the unspoken joy of watching fish swirl in the surf, Dr. Meadows breaks down how economic tools can (and can't) capture what fishing means to us. We explore how traditional models fall short in valuing catch-and-release, why property rights matter in fishery policy, and how anglers—from fly fishers to surfcasters—can use economic insight to advocate for the resource we all share. Whether you're a policy nerd, weekend warrior, or just wondering what your striper trip is "worth," this one's for you. Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Dr. Ben Meadows: economist, angler, and former SEC kicker 04:00 – Redfish, cheap thrills, and the roots of a fishing obsession 06:30 – What does it really mean to maximize fishing value? 10:30 – Commercial fisheries: economics, incentives, and extinction 15:00 – Why monopolies might (strangely) be the best for fish stocks 19:00 – Property rights: the key to sustainable commercial fishing 23:00 – The real value of catch-and-release 30:00 – Non-market valuation tools explained 38:00 – Even a bluefish and bad day can have economic value 42:00 – Why stock abundance matters as much as harvest 45:00 – Building a bigger tent for recreational anglers