The Last 40 Feet: Capt. Ben Whalley on Fly Design, Presentation, and Problem Solving

Kayak Striper Masterclass with Eric Harrison: Big Bass, Soft Plastics and Tidal Strategy

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we sit down with Eric Harrison, one of the Northeast's most respected kayak anglers. Eric has spent over 20 years chasing fish from a kayak and has landed striped bass every month for more than a decade. We dive deep into: * Why kayaks give anglers a stealth advantage * How to target giant striped bass in shallow water * Soft plastic retrieves that outfish plugs * Jig head weights, tides, and current strategy * Reading sonar and finding fish others miss * Why conservation matters and how lure choices affect release survival Whether you fish from shore, boat, or kayak, this episode is packed with actionable striped bass knowledge. Link to OTW Articles: https://onthewater.com/author/eric-harrison [https://onthewater.com/author/eric-harrison] Link to Hogy Lures YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hogylures [https://www.youtube.com/user/hogylures]

The Last 40 Feet: Capt. Ben Whalley on Fly Design, Presentation, and Problem Solving

What matters more in fly fishing: the pattern, or the presentation? In this episode, we sit down with Maine guide and highly regarded fly tyer Capt. Ben Whalley to talk about the small details that make a huge difference when targeting striped bass and other saltwater species. Ben discusses the influence of legendary fly tyer Bob Popovics, his approach to designing large-profile flies that remain castable, and how observation and experimentation lead to better fly design. The conversation also previews the upcoming Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo, where Ben will join a panel focused on one of the most important parts of fly fishing: the final 40 feet of presentation. From neutrally buoyant shrimp flies to triggering strikes from fish that are locked in on bait, this episode dives deep into the real decision-making that happens when fish get a long look at your fly. Topics include: * Why large flies don't have to be hard to cast * Lessons from Bob Popovics and hollow fly design * Matching movement instead of just matching size * When to change flies and when to change presentation * Why observation is the most important skill in fly fishing * Techniques for triggering bites from pressured fish If you enjoy problem solving on the water and learning how great anglers think through a fishing situation, you'll enjoy this conversation.

John Field on Fly Casting Mastery: Less False Casting, Better Loops, More Fish

What separates good fly anglers from great ones? In this episode, we sit down with John L. Field, author, conservationist, and FFI Master Casting Instructor, ahead of the Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo on March 14th. This year's Expo shifts from tactics to skill building, breaking down the habits and mechanics that consistently lead to success. John dives deep into: * Why too much false casting costs you fish * The mechanics behind tight loops and clean tracking * How rod loading really works * The difference between leverage and momentum in your stroke * The building blocks every fly caster needs * Knot logic and leader design fundamentals If you want more distance, more accuracy, and more opportunity on the water, this episode is a must listen. Join us on March 14th for the Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo, with hands-on casting and rigging clinics the following day.

Dan Wells: Cracking the Night Game — Estuaries, Big Flies, and Strategic Striper 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 on 500+ Species, World-Record Koi, and the "Why" Behind Every Bite

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.