Saltwater Edge Podcast - Sharing Our Passion For Saltwater Fishing

Tony Friedrich of the American Saltwater Guides Association returns to break down a disappointing loss: Rhode Island DEM's rejection of common-sense bonito and false albacore regulations for 2026. Despite a proposal built on the state's own data, a compromise to match Massachusetts' five-fish limit, a generous commercial cap, and public comments running 60–3 in favor across two packed hearings, the effort was misrepresented and dismissed. Tony and Peter walk through the timeline, the advisory council's conflicts of interest, the tautog precedent that proves this approach works, and why this fight is far from over, including new bonito acoustic tagging research and a promise to return next cycle. To everyone who wrote a letter or missed dinner to attend a hearing: this one's for you. Stick with it.

Pete Utschig spent 22 years with the New York City Fire Department before retiring to chase fish full-time. Today he's the founder of Phase Gear — a technical apparel company built specifically for surf casters, by a surf caster. In this conversation, Peter from The Saltwater Edge talks with Pete about: - Why his snowboarding business partner kept asking "why is all your fishing gear so heavy?" — and what they did about it - The list of grievances every surf caster will recognize (hoods that blow off, soaked cuffs, gasketed necks, pockets that fill with water) and how Phase Gear engineered them out - What it's like to fund a company out of your pension and keep inventory on the shelf one retirement check at a time - Why Pete has turned down investor offers - The single hardest skill to learn — in fishing and in business — and how it's the same answer twice - What's next for Phase Gear as it expands beyond the surf Show notes and the full conversation at saltwateredge.com/blogs/saltwater-edge Shop Phase Gear: https://www.saltwateredge.com/search?q=phase+gear Learn more about the brand: https://phase-gear.com

In this episode of The Saltwater Edge Podcast, Peter sits down with Captain Greg for an in-depth conversation about one of Rhode Island's most iconic spring fisheries: squid.
Greg shares decades of experience fishing squid from both shore and boat around Newport and Narragansett Bay, covering everything from lights, tides, and jig selection to squid behavior, seasonal timing, and why Rhode Island offers such a unique squid fishery.
The discussion also explores:
How squid react to lights and shadow lines
Why foggy nights can produce incredible fishing
Best tackle and jig setups
Mono vs braid for squid fishing
Spring and fall squid runs
Squid as a key forage species for striped bass, tuna, and more
Rhode Island's trophy tog regulations and conservation efforts
Favorite ways to cook and prepare squid
Whether you're a longtime squid angler or someone looking to experience the spring calamari run for the first time, this episode is packed with practical knowledge and fascinating insight into New England fishing culture.

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we sit down with Eric Harrison, one of the Northeast's most respected kayak anglers. Eric has spent over 20 years chasing fish from a kayak and has landed striped bass every month for more than a decade.
We dive deep into:
Why kayaks give anglers a stealth advantage
How to target giant striped bass in shallow water
Soft plastic retrieves that outfish plugs
Jig head weights, tides, and current strategy
Reading sonar and finding fish others miss
Why conservation matters and how lure choices affect release survival
Whether you fish from shore, boat, or kayak, this episode is packed with actionable striped bass knowledge.
Link to OTW Articles: https://onthewater.com/author/eric-harrison
Link to Hogy Lures YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hogylures

What matters more in fly fishing: the pattern, or the presentation?
In this episode, we sit down with Maine guide and highly regarded fly tyer Capt. Ben Whalley to talk about the small details that make a huge difference when targeting striped bass and other saltwater species.
Ben discusses the influence of legendary fly tyer Bob Popovics, his approach to designing large-profile flies that remain castable, and how observation and experimentation lead to better fly design.
The conversation also previews the upcoming Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo, where Ben will join a panel focused on one of the most important parts of fly fishing: the final 40 feet of presentation.
From neutrally buoyant shrimp flies to triggering strikes from fish that are locked in on bait, this episode dives deep into the real decision-making that happens when fish get a long look at your fly.
Topics include:
Why large flies don't have to be hard to cast

Lessons from Bob Popovics and hollow fly design

Matching movement instead of just matching size

When to change flies and when to change presentation

Why observation is the most important skill in fly fishing

Techniques for triggering bites from pressured fish

If you enjoy problem solving on the water and learning how great anglers think through a fishing situation, you'll enjoy this conversation.