Stay ConnectedA community hub where anglers, fishing guides, scientists, and policymakers connect to discuss fisheries, their history, their futures, and the importance of effective management.
Produced by the American Saltwater Guides Association.
Presented by Costa Sunglasses.
Copyright: © American Salwater Guides Association, 2021
What’s going on? The “most important fish in the sea” just exposed one of the biggest management failures in decades. A new assessment shows Atlantic menhaden natural mortality was inaccurately estimated for years, causing quotas set 300 million pounds too high. A significant, immediate reduction is necessary to align with science-driven management and right the course of a critical forage fish. The Atlantic fishery needs to “take the cut”, and the industrial reduction fleet needs to front a majority of that reduction. We can no longer accept half the coastwide catch being taken from the Chesapeake Bay. The Gulf fishery lacks a quota. It is shocking that an industrial operation of this scale has no upper limit in 2025. This can no longer be true, and buffer zones should not be repealed in any capacity. The fallout of upcoming meetings could reshape both the Atlantic and Gulf fisheries — and what happens next is up to us.
A recap of the ASMFC Summer Meeting 2025.
Alan Batista—a well-known striped bass angler, fishing author, and advocate from Maryland—joins the Guide Post to break down a recent run-in with enforcement that sparked serious questions about current fisheries policy. Alan was issued a ticket for allegedly targeting striped bass during a closed season despite doing nothing wrong. This episode dives deep into the reality of so-called “no-targeting” regulations: what they actually mean, how they’re enforced (or not), and why they represent a dangerous precedent for recreational anglers and the future of striper conservation. With firsthand experience, Alan sheds light on the confusion and contradictions in enforcement, and ASGA breaks down why these policies fail both fish and fishermen.
A must-listen for anyone who fishes for striped bass—or cares about common sense in conservation.
The legend "Capt. Jack" stops by to share tales from global experiences and discuss his involvement in The Jack Project in domestic waters.
ASGA's Tony Friedrich and Cody Rubner hop on The Guide Post to toss around a couple of thoughts about protecting spawning fishing before the holiday.
It's been too long! Tony and Cody rekindle the Guide Post flame after a hectic spring season on the policy and community fronts. This episode includes an update on Redfish, Stripers, Jack Crevalle, Tie Fest and more...
In this guest lecture, Dr. Walt Golet from the University of Maine provided an in-depth exploration of the remarkable physiology and global movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Dr. Golet highlighted the species’ exceptional adaptations, such as their ability to regulate body temperature and sustain high-speed, long-distance migrations, which contribute to their status as apex ocean predators. The seminar discussed extensive lab research efforts, including the collection and analysis of over 12,000 bluefin tuna samples since 2011, focusing on biological data like age, growth, and stock origin to enhance stock assessments and inform management strategies. Dr. Golet also emphasized the importance of understanding the mixing between eastern and western Atlantic stocks, a factor critical to sustainable fisheries management. As an active contributor to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Dr. Golet integrates his scientific findings into international policy discussions, aiming to ensure the long-term sustainability of bluefin tuna populations through informed, science-based management practices.
Throughout the history of time, there have been few other animals that evoke such a strong emotional response from the general public as the great white shark. From Hollywood-driven fear to sublime fascination, the great white shark has captivated the imaginations of hundreds of millions of people. Few know this species better than Dr Greg Skomal, of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Since 1987, he has served as the senior fisheries biologist at MA DMF and has become one of the world’s leading authorities on Great Whites. In this riveting presentation, Dr. Skomal highlights his research on these apex predators, which includes some amazing video and visuals that help dispel a lot of myths surrounding great whites. Dr. Skomal gives us an insider’s look into the lives of the most notorious fish in the ocean!
How much is a fish worth? Most anglers would immediately default to answering that question based on what the cost of that fish sells at market. The real answer, however, is much more complex! In this engaging and informative seminar, Dr Ben Meadows of the University of Alabama at Birmingham provides viewers an in-depth look into the economics of catch & release fishing. Using striped bass as a case study, Meadows engages listeners with relatable prose that helps dispel many of the myths of fisheries economics and provides a better understanding of how we should value the fish we all love.
After years of data pouring in from The Albie Project, advocacy, persistence, and support from our dedicated community, we’re excited to share a major win for false albacore management. Today, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (NCMFC) narrowly passed a proposed rule that establishes much-needed safeguards for this critical species. The vote was close, but ultimately, the Commission recognized the need for responsible management. Get the full scoop in this Rapid Reaction podcast!
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