Science of Fishing

Mark Farag
  • 3.9 (29)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to 'The Science of Fishing', where you'll listen and learn from the best in the fishing industry to improve your skills and listen some great stories! Every week, we delve into the exciting world of fishing, with expert guests, tips and tricks, and exciting stories from the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, 'The Science of Fishing' has something for everyone.

  1. JAN 22

    A 228lb Tuna, A Father’s Promise, and the Fishery That Made It Possible

    What starts as a fishing trip turns into a story about family, legacy, and why Pacific Fins in Guatemala keeps pulling people back year after year.In this episode, we sit down with Zach Miller, founder of the Bravest vs. Finest tournament, and talk about how a guy from Colorado ended up building a deep connection to one of the best blue water fisheries in the world. From catching mahi that were literally bigger than his son, to landing a 228-pound yellowfin on light tackle, to watching his kid declare himself a blue water fisherman, this conversation hits the heart of what fishing really creates beyond the catch.Zach also shares why he started Bravest vs. Finest, a tournament that brings first responders to Pacific Fins to reset, reconnect, and experience the kind of mentorship and education that builds real confidence on the water. We dig into what makes this fishery special, the conservation culture that protects it, and why the captains here consistently produce insane numbers of bites and releases.BRAVEST VS FINEST:   / bravest_vs_finest  ZACH:   / nautical_pathfinder_fishing  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSBloody Battery: https://www.bloodybattery.comShady Rays: https://www.shadyrays.com (use code SCIENCE for 35% off)E-Sea Rider Marine Bean Bags: https://www.eseaerider.comREEL IN SOME MERCHShop official Science of Fishing gear: https://www.thescienceoffishing.com/m...JOIN THE COMMUNITYQuestions, guest requests, or ideas?Email Mark: markfarag@thescienceoffishing.comFOLLOW SCIENCE OF FISHINGInstagram:   / scienceoffishing  TikTok:   / scienceoffishing  Facebook:   / scienceoffishing  Twitter/X:   / scienceoffish  #scienceoffishing #fishing #fishinglife

    7 min

  2. JAN 21

    Why Fishing in Guatemala is the BEST in the World (it's not just the fish)

    Most fishing stories get told through numbers. How many fish. How big. How fast the bite was. This one starts somewhere else. At Pacific Fins in Guatemala, the real story lives in the captains, the mates, and the culture they build on the water and back at the dock. In this episode, Jay Rodriguez breaks down why the education, the attention, and the human connection matter more than the catch count. From a captain stepping off the bridge to fix a technique in real time, to mates treating every angler like family, this is what makes a fishery sustainable and unforgettable. We also dig into the Billfish Conservation Project, why healthy releases protect the future of this fishery, and how Pacific Fins balances world-class fishing with real stewardship. If you care about fishing as a craft, a culture, and a long game, this one’s for you.Check out Pacific Fins: https://pacificfinsresort.com/SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSBloody Battery: https://www.bloodybattery.comShady Rays: https://www.shadyrays.com (use code SCIENCE for 35% off)E-Sea Rider Marine Bean Bags: https://www.eseaerider.comREEL IN SOME MERCHShop official Science of Fishing gear: https://www.thescienceoffishing.com/m...JOIN THE COMMUNITYQuestions, guest requests, or ideas?Email Mark: markfarag@thescienceoffishing.comFOLLOW SCIENCE OF FISHINGInstagram:   / scienceoffishing  TikTok:   / scienceoffishing  Facebook:   / scienceoffishing  Twitter/X:   / scienceoffish  #scienceoffishing #fishing #fishinglife

    14 min

  3. 12/19/2025

    One Innovation That Transformed Cabo Sportfishing

    Some fishing stories are about big bites. This one is about big ideas.In this episode of Science of Fishing, we sit down with Captain Ray Rocher in Cabo San Lucas to talk about a moment in time that quietly changed the way Cabo fishes forever. Twenty years ago, Ray arrived in Cabo fishing IGFA Rolex tournaments with a different approach. No playbook. No local precedent. Just ideas, experimentation, and a willingness to trust what worked.What followed was a ripple effect that reshaped tournament strategy, tackle shops, charter practices, and mentorship across generations of captains and mates. From brined dead baits processed in a hotel shower to techniques that are now standard practice, this is a story about innovation without ego and legacy built through sharing, not guarding secrets.Ray reflects on fishing the 2005–2007 IGFA Rolex tournaments, mentoring young mates who are now running top programs, testing new R&D products with R&R Tackle, and returning to Cabo decades later to see those ideas fully integrated into the fishery. It’s a full-circle conversation about learning, teaching, and why the best contributions often don’t announce themselves when they arrive.Learn more and follow:Miss Britt Charters:   / missbrittcharters  Ray Rocher:   / ray.rosher  Sport Fishing Championship: https://sportfishingchampionship.comSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSBloody Battery: https://www.bloodybattery.comShady Rays: https://www.shadyrays.com (use code SCIENCE for 35% off)E-Sea Rider Marine Bean Bags: https://www.eseaerider.comREEL IN SOME MERCHShop official Science of Fishing gear: https://www.thescienceoffishing.com/m...JOIN THE COMMUNITYQuestions, guest requests, or ideas?Email Mark: markfarag@thescienceoffishing.comFOLLOW SCIENCE OF FISHINGInstagram:   / scienceoffishing  TikTok:   / scienceoffishing  Facebook:   / scienceoffishing  Twitter/X:   / scienceoffish  #scienceoffishing #fishing #fishinglife

    16 min

  4. 11/22/2025

    Captain Landon Bell on His $1.2M Season, Cabo, and the Waffle House Skillet

    Captain Landon Bell has been on fire this season. Sitting at number one in the Gulf in the SFC with over $1.2 million in winnings, he joins Mark in Cabo to break down what’s fueling the run. They get into the transition from Blake Bridges to Landon at the helm of Southern Charm, how Greg and Ron built a program that stays on the fish, and what it feels like to carry that target from tournament to tournament.They talk through the dangers of the Mongo, including the cheek-splitting moment that could’ve gone way worse, the release of a monster fish that would’ve cashed big, and the legendary Waffle House skillet that somehow became both a good-luck charm and a tattoo. Landin opens up about the bets, the banter, and the culture that keeps their team sharp.He closes with what comes next: deer season, family time, and getting the boat ready to run it back next year.TC Renegades AC Professional Angling Club:   / tcrenegadesac  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSBloody Battery: https://www.bloodybattery.comShady Rays: https://www.shadyrays.com (use code SCIENCE for 35% off)E-Sea Rider Marine Bean Bags: https://www.eseaerider.comREEL IN SOME MERCHShop official Science of Fishing gear: https://www.thescienceoffishing.com/m...JOIN THE COMMUNITYQuestions, guest requests, or ideas?Email Mark: markfarag@thescienceoffishing.comFOLLOW SCIENCE OF FISHINGInstagram:   / scienceoffishing  TikTok:   / scienceoffishing  Facebook:   / scienceoffishing  Twitter/X:   / scienceoffish

    10 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    The All Women Team Taking Over the Marlin Circuit

    Mark sits down with Dusty, owner-operator of the 80-foot Viking Surf Bum and leader of one of the most talked-about all-female crews in big-game fishing. Dusty and her team ran hard this season, making the long push from Palm Beach through the Bahamas and up the eastern seaboard to Ocean City. Along the way, they built real momentum, earned respect inside the SFC, and showed that an all-lady team can hang with anybody on the water.In this episode, Dusty breaks down how she got into Fishing, how the crew came together, what it’s like fishing against top teams, and why she’s committed to helping more women step into the sport. She walks through the learning curve, the long runs, the dock-party culture, and the friendships that built this season into her best one yet.Whether you follow the SFC, love marlin stories, or just enjoy seeing people chase something they care about, this is a good one. Check out the New York Granders and the Surf Bum crew as they roll into the offseason and start stacking fish for next year.Check out the New York Granders:   / nygranders  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSBloody Battery: https://www.bloodybattery.comShady Rays: https://www.shadyrays.com (use code SCIENCE for 35% off)E-Sea Rider Marine Bean Bags: https://www.eseaerider.comREEL IN SOME MERCHShop official Science of Fishing gear: https://www.thescienceoffishing.com/m...JOIN THE COMMUNITYQuestions, guest requests, or ideas?Email Mark: markfarag@thescienceoffishing.comFOLLOW SCIENCE OF FISHINGInstagram:   / scienceoffishing  TikTok:   / scienceoffishing  Facebook:   / scienceoffishing  Twitter/X:   / scienceoffish

    9 min

  6. 11/07/2025

    Life on the Freebird: Fishing, Ranch Work, and Chasing Marlin

    We’re in Cabo San Lucas with Captain Spencer Johnson of the Freebird, fishing this week with Lone Stars Angling Club and Scotty Shephler. Spencer tells the full story. How a bay guide in Texas ends up selling everything he owns, moving to St. Thomas with two duffel bags, learning to dive, fishing the North Drop and the fads, and eventually running a big-game boat full time. We also get into King Ranch life, population management and nilgai, duck season, water shortages on the Gulf coast, and what makes Cabo’s release fishing different from the live bait black marlin game. Spencer’s path shows how much of this life comes down to timing, curiosity, and the willingness to go all in.

    13 min

  7. 11/02/2025

    Captain Blaine Birch $700K Season, Big Wins, and the Road to Cabo | Science of Fishing

    Mark sits down with Captain Blaine Birch of New Jersey Seabirds to talk about his path from New York’s corporate world to leading one of the Atlantic’s most successful fishing teams. They dive into his $700K season, his roots in New Jersey, and the family lessons that shaped his drive to win. Filmed in Cabo during the Sport Fishing Championship finals.Follow their progress! @seabirdsac @taylor_jean_sport_fishing @blainebirch ‪@sportfishingchampionship‬ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSBloody Battery: https://www.bloodybattery.comShady Rays: https://www.shadyrays.com (use code SCIENCE for 35% off)E-Sea Rider Marine Bean Bags: https://www.eseaerider.comREEL IN SOME MERCHShop official Science of Fishing gear: https://www.thescienceoffishing.com/m...JOIN THE COMMUNITYQuestions, guest requests, or ideas?Email Mark: markfarag@thescienceoffishing.comFOLLOW SCIENCE OF FISHINGInstagram:   / scienceoffishing  TikTok:   / scienceoffishing  Facebook:   / scienceoffishing  Twitter/X:   / scienceoffish  #scienceoffishing #fishing #fishinglife

    13 min

  8. 09/12/2025

    Kings-Wahoo-Dolphin - The Rig, Morning, and the Series That Felt Like Five Years

    We sit down after the scales with Jamie Bunn, Nick McCabe, Steve Fishman, and Mark Miller to unpack a wild Pompano Beach Saltwater Circuit: a KDW “double jackpot” from Weight and Sea, a 48-lb wahoo that sealed the series, and the rig choices that made the difference when August went flat. You’ll hear exactly how the champs built a 91-point season (2nd–1st–1st), why “fish the baits in” matters, and how a sliding 6–8 oz band-clip presentation quietly cleaned up bites between downriggers and kites. We also get into pre-fish adversity (a boat sinking at the dock), semi-pro angles, and what’s coming next year—including youth divisions and new formats. Summit Studios - @summitstudioshttps:///www.summitstudiosgroup.com Living Water / Makin’ Time Fishing Team - @livingwater39  / livingwater39   Nick McCabe - @nickmccabe8  / nickmccabe8   SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Bloody Battery: www.bloodybattery.com If you have any requests, want to be a guest, or even just want to chat about fishing feel free to reach out to Mark via: markfarag@thescienceoffishing.com REEL IN SOME MERCHwww.thescienceoffishing.com⁠/ FOLLOW SCIENCE OF FISHING Instagram:⁠ ⁠@scienceoffishing   / scienceoffishing   TikTok:⁠ ⁠@scienceoffishing   / scienceoffishing   Facebook:⁠ @scienceoffishing   / scienceoffishing   Twitter: @scienceoffish   / scienceoffish  #Marlin #OffshoreFishing #fishing

    34 min
See All (79)

3.9
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Welcome to 'The Science of Fishing', where you'll listen and learn from the best in the fishing industry to improve your skills and listen some great stories! Every week, we delve into the exciting world of fishing, with expert guests, tips and tricks, and exciting stories from the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, 'The Science of Fishing' has something for everyone.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Farag
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mark Farag
  • Show Website
    Science of Fishing

You Might Also Like