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. 18h ago

    We’re Back! Hockey, Blackfish, Striped Bass & Big News Ahead!

    Episode 95: We’re Back! Hockey, Blackfish, Striped Bass & Big News Ahead! Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast | Episode 95 | Hosted by Captain Gaige We’re BACK, Bay Rats! After taking a little hiatus from the microphones, Captain Gaige is back aboard the boat in Huntington Harbor, bringing you Episode 95 of the Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast! And no, we didn’t sink the boat, disappear offshore, or get lost at sea! So where have we been? Well, hockey season kicked off, and with Captain Gaige’s kids hitting the ice and Gaige stepping behind the bench to coach their team, life went from fishing rods to hockey sticks pretty quickly! Between practices, games, and coaching, we’ve been living and breathing ice hockey. But don’t worry, fishing is still in our blood, and we’re back to finish the 2026 fishing season STRONG! The October fishing report is looking fantastic! The blackfish (tautog) bite around Long Island Sound has been excellent, with keeper blackfish coming over the rails on every trip! We’re getting into some great bottom fishing action as the fall season heats up. We also discuss the unexpected green crab shortage that briefly affected local anglers and bait shops. Believe it or not, one of the Northeast’s main green crab suppliers blew a turbo on his boat engine, temporarily shutting down operations until repairs could be made. Talk about bad timing during prime blackfish season! Meanwhile, the striped bass bite inside the bays has been incredible! Bass are pushing extremely close to shorelines, feeding aggressively on schools of baitfish. Whether you’re fishing from a boat or working the shoreline, there’s some exciting fall action happening right now! And here’s something interesting: squid have been caught inside Huntington Harbor! We’re hoping the squid fishing continues to improve before hungry striped bass move in and chase them out. Could we have some great squid fishing ahead? We also want to thank everyone who emailed, messaged, and even checked on our welfare during the break! Nothing was wrong, and we genuinely appreciate everyone looking out for us. In fact, we’ve been growing behind the scenes, and some exciting announcements are coming over the next few weeks! Big things are happening with Bay Rats & Buoys, so stay tuned! We’re officially back on schedule with NEW EPISODES EVERY THURSDAY AT 6 PM! Thanks for sticking with us, Bay Rats! Let’s finish this fishing season with a bang! Tight lines, calm seas, and we’ll see you on the water!  Bay Rats & Buoys — More Than a Club, We’re a Crew! Visit SandCityCharter.com to learn more about our fishing charters and join the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

  2. Sep 4

    Boat Fire Huntington Long Island Plus Fishing Reports

    Episode 94 — Boat Fire, Big Moon Fishing & Offshore Monsters! Captain Gaige is back on the boat in Huntington Harbor for Episode 94 of the Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast, and there’s plenty happening on and off the water as we roll into September! This week’s episode starts with a story that made headlines across Long Island — a boat fire right here in Huntington. The dramatic scene of a vessel engulfed in flames and heavy black smoke is another reminder that things can change incredibly fast on the water. Captain Gaige talks about the incident, boating safety, and why every captain and boat owner should be prepared when an emergency happens. Then we get back to what Bay Rats & Buoys is all about — FISHING! The recent Sturgeon Moon brought another round of strong moon tides and changing conditions, and now we’re looking ahead to the Harvest Moon later this month. September can be an awesome transition month around Long Island, and Sand City Fishing Charter is fired up for the upcoming charters as water temperatures begin changing and our fall fishing starts coming into focus. There have already been some interesting catches around the area, including drum fish showing up locally! Captain Gaige breaks down the latest fishing reports, what species are cooperating, where the bite seems to be heading and — most importantly — what bait has been getting it done. We’ll also check in on the latest tournament and fishing league action, with September bringing another opportunity for anglers to put fish on the board and make a move in the standings. And if you want to talk about putting fish on the deck, Kory absolutely crushed it offshore! On the latest offshore excursion, Kory landed an incredible 90-pound yellowfin tuna, a 50-pound mahi, and piled up tons of tilefish to cap off one heck of a trip. We break down the offshore action and talk about just how different the fishing can be once you leave Long Island Sound behind and head for deeper water. From a boat fire in Huntington Harbor to moon tides, local fishing reports, tournament updates, bait talk, drum fish and a monster offshore trip, Episode 94 is packed! Grab a drink, climb aboard and hang out with Captain Gaige for another week of Bay Rats & Buoys — boating, fishing, laughs and everything happening on the waters around Long Island! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

  3. Aug 18

    Brown sharks & Dolphin Invade LI Sound

    Episode 93 — Dolphins & Brown Sharks Invade the LI Sound! The Long Island Sound is ALIVE right now! On Episode 93 of Bay Rats & Buoys, Captain Gaige is back with this week’s fishing report—and there’s plenty happening on and under the water. Dolphins are cruising through the Sound, brown sharks are making headlines, the bluefish bite is picking back up, fluke fishing is heating up, and porgy fishing continues to be an absolute blast for families! First up: the sharks! Social media has been flooded with videos and photos of anglers encountering brown sharks while live-lining for striped bass and bluefish. But before anyone starts thinking Jaws has invaded Long Island, here’s the reality: this is nothing new. Brown sharks and other shark species have been part of the Long Island Sound ecosystem for a very long time. The difference today is that nearly everyone has a smartphone, camera and social media account, so we’re seeing these encounters more than ever before. Brown, dusky, sandbar and sand tiger sharks can all be found around our waters, and their presence is another reminder of just how diverse the Long Island marine ecosystem really is. So enjoy the rest of the summer—get out on the boat, hit the beach, go swimming, tubing and enjoy everything the Sound has to offer! Meanwhile, the bluefish bite is finally showing signs of life again! After weeks of everyone asking, “Where are the bluefish?” reports are starting to improve. The fluke bite is also heating up, with more keeper-sized fish being caught, making August a great time to get out and target some summer flatties. And if you’re looking to get the family on the water, porgy fishing has been fantastic aboard Sand City Fishing Charter. Fast action, plenty of bites and constant excitement make porgy fishing one of the best ways to introduce kids and families to fishing on Long Island. Want even more local fishing intel? Join the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club! Our growing community brings together anglers, captains and boaters who share reports, fishing intel, knowledge and experiences from across Long Island—and you don’t have to live here to be part of it. Anglers from anywhere in the world are welcome to join the crew!  Bay Rats & Buoys — More than a club. We’re a crew. https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

  4. Jul 31

    Dolphins Shut Down Fishing - Where are the Bluefish?

    Bay Rats & Buoys Podcast – Season 3, Episode 91 The countdown is officially on! We’re now just nine weeks away from our milestone 100th episode, and Episode 91 keeps the momentum rolling as Captain Gaige is back aboard the boat bringing you another week of fishing reports, boating talk, and everything happening on the Long Island Sound. This week we break down one of the biggest stories on the water: massive pods of dolphins moving through the Sound. While it’s incredible to witness these amazing animals in their natural habitat, they definitely had an impact on the fishing, scattering bait and making the striped bass bite much tougher for a couple of days. We’ll explain what we saw on the water, why dolphin activity can temporarily slow the action, and why we’re optimistic that the fishing is ready to rebound as we head into the first weekend of August. If you’ve been waiting for your next opportunity to get out there, this could be the perfect time to fuel the boat, grab your gear, and hit the water. We also continue to spotlight the incredible growth of the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club. What started as a small group of passionate anglers has quickly become one of the fastest-growing communities of fishermen, captains, and boating enthusiasts anywhere. Whether you’re an experienced offshore captain, a weekend warrior, or someone who just bought their first boat, there’s a place for you. Members enjoy monthly meetups, weekly fishing reports, boating conversations, tournament opportunities, networking with other captains, and a community that shares the same passion for life on the water. If you’re looking to meet great people, learn new techniques, and become part of something that’s growing every month, head over to SandCityCharter.com, click on the Fishing Club tab, and join today! We’d love to welcome you aboard. As always, we’ll cover the latest fishing conditions, what techniques we’re watching as August begins, upcoming club events, and what’s happening around the Bay Rats & Buoys community. Thank you to everyone who continues to listen, watch, and support the podcast each week. Reaching 100 episodes is going to be a huge milestone, and we’re excited to have all of you along for the ride. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with your fishing buddies. We’ll see you on the water—and we’ll see you next week for Episode 92! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

  5. Jul 17

    Tuna Tournaments Are Here! Bass Still Crushing & Fluke Heating Up | Ep. 90

    Episode 90 of Bay Rats & Buoys is here, and this week Captain Gaige is back aboard the boat with another up-to-date fishing report from the Long Island Sound. Filmed during the haze from the Canadian wildfire smoke drifting across the Northeast, this episode covers everything anglers need to know before heading out on the water this week. The tuna tournament season is in full swing, with offshore crews chasing giant bluefin tuna and competing in some of the biggest events of the summer. We discuss the latest tournament action, what teams are seeing offshore, and why this is one of the most exciting times of the year for big-game fishermen. Whether you’re fishing the canyons or following the action from shore, there’s no shortage of excitement happening offshore. Closer to home, Sand City Charter is still finding quality striped bass despite the summer pattern beginning to change. Captain Gaige breaks down the techniques that continue to produce both trophy fish and keeper-sized bass while explaining how the bite has evolved over the past week. If you’re wondering whether it’s still worth targeting stripers, this fishing report will help point you in the right direction. As water temperatures continue to climb, the fluke and black sea bass bite is really starting to turn on, giving anglers even more opportunities to put fresh fish in the cooler. We discuss where these fisheries are heading, what techniques are producing, and what you can expect over the next several weeks as summer fishing reaches its peak. One question continues to be on everyone’s mind: Where are the bluefish? Captain Gaige shares his thoughts on the unusually slow bluefish season, what could be contributing to their absence, and when anglers might expect to see more of these hard-fighting fish return to local waters. We also invite you to become part of something much bigger than just another fishing group by joining the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club. No matter where you’re from, everyone is welcome. Our club continues to grow every month as captains, boaters, kayak anglers, surfcasters, and fishing families come together to share fishing reports, exchange local knowledge, and build lasting friendships. Our monthly club gatherings are a great opportunity to meet fellow anglers, learn new techniques, hear firsthand fishing intel, and simply enjoy being around people who share the same passion for fishing and boating. Ready to join the crew? Visit BayRatsAndBuoys.com to become a member today, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Bay Rats & Buoys YouTube channel for weekly fishing reports, tournament coverage, boating discussions, conservation topics, and everything happening on the Long Island fishing scene. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you on the water! https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

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.