Bay Rats & Buoys

Captain Gaige

Welcome to the "Bay Rats and Buoys" Podcast - Hosted by Captain Gaige. Tune in weekly to this captivating and authentic series where local captains and salty fishermen gather to share their life and passion for the sea. This unscripted podcast dives deep into the daily lives of those who take to the water for work and pleasure, offering listeners an insider's view of the maritime lifestyle. Hear about the challenges and triumphs faced by mariners in all kinds of conditions plus their untold stories, hard-earned lessons, and the unique bonds formed amidst the waves.

  1. 2d ago

    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/

    38 min
  2. Jun 1

    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. 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/

    21 min
  3. May 20

    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/

    44 min
  4. May 20

    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/

    44 min
  5. May 7

    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. 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 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 and book your trip leaving from Huntington Harbor. The season is underway and the fish are chewing! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

    33 min
  6. Apr 30

    Striped Bass Are HERE! April Winners + Fishing League Heating Up

    Episode 79 of Bay Rats & Buoys is exactly what this podcast was built on—raw, unscripted, and back where we belong… on the boat in the marina. Season 3 is in full swing and you can feel the energy building as the fishing season starts to come alive across the Long Island Sound. This week, Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory dive right into the action with a major update on The Fishing League as we gear up to announce our April winners this weekend. The leaderboard is already heating up, and the competition is only getting stronger. The best part? You still have time to register your team. We know plenty of anglers don’t even have their boats in the water yet—but that’s the beauty of this league. Whether you fish from a boat, kayak, or the shoreline, there’s a division for you to compete all season long. As always, we’re giving you the real-time intel you need to stay on fish. Every week we break down what colors are working, the lures we’re dialing in, current water temperatures, and the patterns we’re seeing out on the water. The striped bass bite is officially underway, and we’re seeing more life with every trip—things are trending in the right direction. Of course, with a new season comes the big questions every angler is asking… Will the bluefish show up this year? Will the bunker return in massive schools like we’ve seen in years past—or will it be another slow showing like last season? These are the conversations happening on every dock and in every tackle shop right now, and we’re breaking it all down based on what we’re seeing firsthand. One thing we do know—the water temps are running a bit cooler than last year, which lines up with the colder winter we had. That could play a big role in how this spring bite shapes up. We also drop big news about our Second Annual Striped Bass Invitational, locked in for June 27th & 28th. This year it’s a two-day event, and we’re bringing the heat with a tag and brag format that keeps conservation front and center while still fueling that competitive fire. If you’re looking to be part of one of the most exciting events of the season, now’s the time to get signed up. Season 3 is rolling, the fish are here, and the momentum is real. Let’s go. https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

    23 min
  7. Apr 27

    Striped Bass BITE is ON! Back on the Boat | Fishing League Exploding

    Episode 78 of Bay Rats & Buoys brings you right back where it all started—on the boat, leaving the marina and heading into our absolute happy place. There’s nothing like that first throttle up of the season, and this one felt even better knowing the boat is running flawlessly thanks to our new mechanic dialin’ everything in. Smooth, reliable, and ready to fish hard—that’s exactly how we like it. We didn’t waste any time getting back into the action either. As soon as we splashed, the charters kicked off and it was game on. The striped bass bite is officially ON here on the North Shore, and we’re putting clients on fish trip after trip. From first-time anglers to seasoned fishermen, everyone’s getting in on the action and creating unforgettable memories out on the water. This is what it’s all about—tight lines, screaming drags, and smiles all around. The momentum doesn’t stop there… The Fishing League is absolutely blowing up! Teams from all over the tri-state area are signing up, submitting fish, and climbing the leaderboard. The competition is heating up, and with the season running all the way through December 15, 2026, there’s still plenty of time to get your team in the mix. Whether you’re fishing solo, with your family, or running with a full crew—this is your shot to compete, track your catches, and be part of something big. Head over to TheFishingLeague.com and register your team today! We also made a stop over at the brand new tackle shop in Port Jefferson—Port Tackle—to stock up on some fresh gear. Always important to support the local shops here on Long Island, and these guys are bringing some serious heat to the scene. If you’re gearing up for the season, definitely go check them out. And if you’ve been watching the reports and thinking about getting out there… now is the time. Charters are booking fast as word spreads about the incredible striped bass bite we’re on right now. If you want a shot at landing a trophy fish and experiencing it firsthand, head over to SandCityCharter.com, fill out the contact form, and lock in your trip. We’re back, we’re fishing, and we’re just getting started. Let’s go!!!  https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

    20 min
  8. Apr 16

    The Fishing League is LIVE! Season 3 Kickoff + Jimmy Leyritz Endorsement Ep 77

    Season 3 of Bay Rats & Buoys is officially underway, and Episode 77 marks one of the biggest moments in the history of the show. This isn’t just another episode—it’s the launch pad for something much bigger. We’re kicking off a brand new season while simultaneously launching The Fishing League, a concept built by this very community of anglers, listeners, and supporters who have been with us since day one. In this episode, Captain Gaige sets the tone for what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable season on the water and behind the mic. The growth of Bay Rats & Buoys has always been about more than fishing—it’s about building a network of passionate anglers across the Long Island Sound and now throughout the entire tri-state area. And now, that energy has evolved into a full-blown competitive fishing league that anyone can be part of. A huge moment tied to this episode is the support from Jim Leyritz, a three-time World Series Champion, who officially endorsed The Fishing League with a video released the same day this episode dropped. Having a champion of that caliber recognize what we’re building speaks volumes about the momentum behind this movement. It’s another sign that big things are happening—and we’re just getting started. We also take time in this episode to thank the loyal listeners who helped turn this podcast into something real. From the early days recording on the boat to now launching a league that spans multiple states, none of this happens without you. Every download, every share, every comment—this community built it. Season 3 is going to bring bigger guests, better fishing intel, more behind-the-scenes charter life, and continued growth of The Fishing League as we head into the April 15 kickoff. Whether you’re a seasoned captain, a weekend warrior, or just someone who loves the saltwater lifestyle, this is your time to get involved. Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe—and if you haven’t already, register your team at TheFishingLeague.com. The season is here. The league is live. And Bay Rats & Buoys is just getting started. https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

    35 min

About

Welcome to the "Bay Rats and Buoys" Podcast - Hosted by Captain Gaige. Tune in weekly to this captivating and authentic series where local captains and salty fishermen gather to share their life and passion for the sea. This unscripted podcast dives deep into the daily lives of those who take to the water for work and pleasure, offering listeners an insider's view of the maritime lifestyle. Hear about the challenges and triumphs faced by mariners in all kinds of conditions plus their untold stories, hard-earned lessons, and the unique bonds formed amidst the waves.

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