Bay Rats & Buoys

The Striper Bite is ON FIRE! Big Bass, Big Smiles & Proven Tactics

Welcome back to Bay Rats & Buoys! This week on Episode 85, Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory break down one of the biggest striped bass catches of the season aboard Sand City Charter. The bass fishing in the Long Island Sound has been nothing short of incredible, and we’re sharing exactly how we found these fish, what techniques are producing, and the lures and baits that are getting crushed right now. One of the best parts of this season has been watching anglers of all experience levels hook into trophy striped bass. Kids, families, first-time anglers, and even guests who have never held a fishing rod before are landing some truly impressive fish. There’s nothing better than seeing a young angler catch their personal best bass or watching someone experience the excitement of a screaming drag for the very first time. In this episode, we discuss the current bite, the areas holding fish, the presentations that are working best, and why the fishing has been so consistent. From live bait to artificial lures, we’ll explain what’s producing and how you can improve your chances of connecting with a quality striped bass on your next trip. We also share stories from recent charters, discuss some of the memorable catches that have come over the rail, and talk about why this has been one of the most fun stretches of the season so far. The smiles, excitement, and memories being created on the water are what make this fishery so special. Whether you’re a seasoned angler chasing your next trophy bass or someone looking to get out on the water for the first time, this episode is packed with useful information, fishing reports, and plenty of laughs along the way. If you’re enjoying Bay Rats & Buoys, be sure to subscribe, like, and share the show. Don’t forget to follow Sand City Charter for weekly fishing reports, striped bass tips, charter fishing adventures, and updates on the Striped Bass Invitational and The Fishing League. Tight lines, and we’ll see you on the water! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Striped Bass Fishing is ON FIRE! Tournament Countdown | Charter Reports and Gear Updates

The countdown is on! We are now just 4 weeks away from the 2nd Annual Striped Bass Invitational, and this year’s event is bigger, better, and more exciting than ever. Captain Gaige kicks off Episode 83 by reminding anglers to get registered this week and join us on June 27th & 28th for an epic two-day catch, tag, and release tournament right here in Huntington Bay. This event isn’t just about competition—it’s about conservation. Every striped bass caught and released helps support valuable fisheries research as we work together to tag more fish than last year’s impressive total of 65 striped bass. With a $2,500 Grand Prize, plenty of sponsored giveaways, and serious bragging rights on the line, now is the time to secure your spot at StripedBassInvitational.com [http://stripedbassinvitational.com/]. The striped bass fishing has absolutely exploded across Long Island, and the crew shares the latest reports from aboard Sand City Charter. The bite is red hot right now, with quality fish feeding aggressively and anglers enjoying some of the best action of the season. Captain Gaige breaks down what’s working, where the fish are holding, and why now is one of the best opportunities of the year to get out on the water. Sand City Charter is currently booking trips seven days a week, and we’re excited to announce that we’ll soon be running at least one Open Boat Trip each week, giving individual anglers a chance to get in on the action without chartering the entire boat. This week’s boating safety segment focuses on a simple but critical question every boat owner should be able to answer: Do you know where your seacock is? Captain Gaige explains why understanding your boat’s through-hull systems could make the difference between a minor issue and a major emergency on the water. Whether you’re a seasoned captain or a first-time boat owner, these practical tips could save your boat—and possibly your life. We also preview the gear and tackle we’ll be discussing at the next Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club meeting. If you’ve been thinking about joining the club, now is the perfect time. Meet fellow anglers, share fishing reports, learn new techniques, and become part of a growing community built around fishing, boating, conservation, and good times on the water. Grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and join Captain Gaige for another fun-filled episode of Bay Rats & Buoys! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Striped Bass Bite EXPLODES! Fishing League May Battle Heats Up | Boating safety Tips

Captain Gaige is back for Episode 82 of Bay Rats & Buoys, and the fishing action around the tri-state area is absolutely heating up! Water temperatures are climbing fast and the striped bass bite is officially ON FIRE across the Long Island Sound, New York Bight, and along the Jersey Coast. From working birds to aggressive bass feeding on bunker schools, anglers are finding fish and the season is shaping up as temperatures heatup in the northeast!  The competition inside  The Fishing League is also reaching another level as teams strategically position themselves to make a run at winning the month of May! Leaderboards are changing weekly with anglers from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut battling it out across multiple divisions. The best part? It’s NOT too late to enter your team! Register now and you still have a legitimate shot to win the month of May while stacking valuable points toward the season-long championship race. Every fish matters and every week the standings get tighter! Captain Gaige dives into National Boating Safety Week topics and discuss some of the biggest mistakes boaters make while fishing crowded areas amongst the fleet. From panic decisions at the helm to poor communication and unsafe maneuvering around active fishing boats, this episode covers important safety tips that every captain and crew should hear before heading out or into busy fishing grounds this season. Learning how to stay calm, predictable, and aware on the water can make a huge difference for everyone sharing the same fishing grounds. We’re also officially just FIVE WEEKS AWAY from the 2nd Annual Bay Rats & Buoys Striped Bass Invitational happening June 27th & 28th, 2026! Last year’s event successfully tagged 65 striped bass for conservation and research, and this year we want to tag even more fish while making the event bigger and better than ever. This epic two-day catch-and-release tournament combines competition, conservation, camaraderie, and huge payouts including cash prizes and giveaways. Register your boat now at  Striped Bass Invitational and join us for an unforgettable weekend on the water! Plus, Captain Gaige and Kory recap entertaining their first open boat trip guests and helping anglers land personal best striped bass aboard  Sand City Fishing Charter. If you’re looking to get on the water this season, private charters are now available! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Striped Bass Bite EXPLODES! Fishing League May Battle Heats Up! Boating Safety Tips

Captain Gaige is back for Episode 82 of Bay Rats & Buoys, and the fishing action around the tri-state area is absolutely heating up! Water temperatures are climbing fast and the striped bass bite is officially ON FIRE across the Long Island Sound, New York Bight, and along the Jersey Coast. From working birds to aggressive bass feeding on bunker schools, anglers are finding fish and the season is shaping up as temperatures heatup in the northeast!  The competition inside  The Fishing League is also reaching another level as teams strategically position themselves to make a run at winning the month of May! Leaderboards are changing weekly with anglers from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut battling it out across multiple divisions. The best part? It’s NOT too late to enter your team! Register now and you still have a legitimate shot to win the month of May while stacking valuable points toward the season-long championship race. Every fish matters and every week the standings get tighter! Captain Gaige dives into National Boating Safety Week topics and discuss some of the biggest mistakes boaters make while fishing crowded areas amongst the fleet. From panic decisions at the helm to poor communication and unsafe maneuvering around active fishing boats, this episode covers important safety tips that every captain and crew should hear before heading out or into busy fishing grounds this season. Learning how to stay calm, predictable, and aware on the water can make a huge difference for everyone sharing the same fishing grounds. We’re also officially just FIVE WEEKS AWAY from the 2nd Annual Bay Rats & Buoys Striped Bass Invitational happening June 27th & 28th, 2026! Last year’s event successfully tagged 65 striped bass for conservation and research, and this year we want to tag even more fish while making the event bigger and better than ever. This epic two-day catch-and-release tournament combines competition, conservation, camaraderie, and huge payouts including cash prizes and giveaways. Register your boat now at  Striped Bass Invitational and join us for an unforgettable weekend on the water! Plus, Captain Gaige and Kory recap entertaining their first open boat trip guests and helping anglers land personal best striped bass aboard  Sand City Fishing Charter. If you’re looking to get on the water this season, private charters are now available! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

STRIPED BASS Are HERE! Flutter Spoon Bite Heating Up + Fishing League April Winners Announced | Bay Rats Ep.80

Episode 80 of Bay Rats & Buoys is here and this week we’re back in the studio thanks to some rough weather keeping us off the water—but that doesn’t stop the fishing talk! Captain Gaige breaks down everything happening right now as striped bass season continues to heat up across the tri-state area and anglers are getting fish in every region of The Fishing League [https://thefishingleague.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. This week we officially announced the April winners in all divisions of the league, and the competition is already getting intense heading into May! New teams are signing up every single day in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, proving this league is growing fast right out of the gate. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the perfect time to put your team together because every month gives anglers a fresh chance to win. The Monthly Featured Species leaderboard resets every month, meaning anyone can jump in and compete for monthly prizes in five different divisions no matter when they register. Meanwhile, your points continue stacking all season long as teams battle it out for the ultimate season championship title by December. Captain Gaige also talks about the importance of picking your weather windows this time of year. The bass are officially here, and the bite has been getting better by the day. One lure that has absolutely been producing lately is the flutter spoon. If you’ve never experienced striped bass smashing flutter spoons, you’re missing one of the most exciting bites in fishing. The team shares some insight into the setups, retrieves, and conditions helping put quality fish in the boat right now around Long Island. We also gave a shout out to Salt Mafia Gear [https://saltmafiagear.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] for their support and high-quality fishing apparel built for serious anglers. Make sure you check them out and support the brands supporting the fishing community. Another exciting announcement this week is Captain Gaige officially testing out the new Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses for content creation on the water. The first flutter spoon fishing video was already filmed using the new glasses, giving viewers a whole new perspective right from the action. Expect weekly fishing videos, reports, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the season. Want to get out there and catch striped bass yourself? Head over to Sand City Fishing Charter [https://sandcitycharter.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] and book your trip leaving from Huntington Harbor. The season is underway and the fish are chewing! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/