The Guide Post

Capt. Kyle Schaefer tunes in from the Bahamas to talk about his summer business chasing stripers in Maine and the implications of the looming Addendum II comment deadline. Kyle shares experiences from this past season fishing for bass along Maine's coast as well as his developing business ventures that rely on abundant fisheries.

Chris Weiner from the Bluefin Collaborative swings by to talk about the methods, science and management of tuna fishing on the east coast.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation #BluefinTuna

After the Striped Bass Board approved this document at the ASMFC Annual Meeting, ASGA began reviewing notes, talking with partners up and down the coast, and drafting positions for Draft Addendum II. In the coming weeks, ASMFC will be holding virtual and in-person hearings from New England down through Virginia to collect public comment on this document. The deadline for public input is December 22nd, 2023, so be sure to look into the options within Draft Addendum II and share your perspectives before the clock runs out. The following provides a summary of our positions and a template to guide your public comments - CLICK HERE.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

After the Striped Bass Board approved this document at the ASMFC Annual Meeting, ASGA began reviewing notes, talking with partners up and down the coast, and drafting positions for Draft Addendum II. In the coming weeks, ASMFC will be holding virtual and in-person hearings from New England down through Virginia to collect public comment on this document. The deadline for public input is December 22nd, 2023, so be sure to look into the options within Draft Addendum II and share your perspectives before the clock runs out. The following provides a summary of our positions and a template to guide your public comments - CLICK HERE.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

In the face of historically insurmountable adversity, there is still a chance that conservation can win in Louisiana. These odds are directly due to the unification of a powerful community voice. We can’t quiet down now.Join us in calling on Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to VETO the decision of the Joint Oversight Committee and approve this NOI to rebuild this world-class fishery in a fair, equitable, and timely manner.All emails should be directed to ([email protected]). Please send a respectful and encouraging email expressing your support for this NOI and your desire to see Louisiana Redfish back on track in the fastest timeline possible!SUBJECT: “Veto Oversight Committee & Support Rapid Redfish Recovery”BODY: “I support the redfish NOI with a reduction of 55% to get the adult population of redfish back to acceptable levels within a reasonable timeline.”There’s no time to wait. Send your email as soon as possible. Louisiana redfish need your voice.

Unprecedented news has been delivered from the primary spawning grounds of our beloved striped bass. 2023 is officially the fifth straight year of failed spawns for striped bass, as the newly released Chesapeake Bay Young of Year Survey reports the second-lowest YOY Index in the recorded history of stripers. The 2012 YOY Index still stands as the lowest on record, with an index of 0.9. Unfortunately, 2023 almost claimed that abysmal title with an index of 1.0. The vast proportion of juvenile striped bass are spawned in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay. The Hudson River can not save the coastwide stock. It is said that the amount of spawning age stripers in the stock has no impact on the spawn (no stock-recruitment relationship). That is true unless the stock falls below a certain level. We fear we have crossed that threshold. The time to save striped bass is now.

Charlie Witek stops by the Guide Post to get striped bass followers dialed in on next steps for Addendum II and the upcoming ASMFC meeting where we will get a better look into the future of this fishery.

From building his first store by hand with his father to building the largest Orvis dealer in the country within two years, Brian Flechsig from Mad River Outfitters has delivered on his commitment to angling education and making fly fishing community more inclusive. In this episode, Brian joins host Blane Chocklett to discuss a range of topics including a current campaign to conserve redfish in Louisiana, opening horizons with new target species and the value of customer service in the fishing industry. As Brian claims, “If it swims and can eat, it can be caught on a fly rod” - so gear up and tune in for another great episode with a genuine industry game changer.

ASGA is joined by the New England Aquarium research team to discuss the latest findings from the Albie Project including telemetry tagging results from the first research season. #TheAlbieProject #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

On July 6th, the Louisiana fishing guide community flooded the LWF Commission Meeting and let the state know that the recommended reductions are not enough to ensure the stability of their businesses. To the surprise of many, the LWF Commission did something amazing: they listened and moved to protect the resource. Capt. Bailey Short was one of the guides in that room, calling for proactive management actions to protect the future of his business. In this podcast, Capt. Bailey joins Blane to talk about building a business in Louisiana and the state of redfish.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

Today, ASGA announced a partnership with the GotOne app (“GotOne”) to help expand the data collection for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries’ (“MA DMF”) ongoing study on release mortality of striped bass.This partnership will utilize the capabilities of the GotOne to enable volunteer recreational anglers to track and directly submit data on landings, harvest and potential survival. ASGA has worked closely with GotOne’s founder, Luyen Chou, over the past year to ensure that the app protects anglers’ privacy, while collecting the data needed to support fisheries science and management. The partnership between the ASGA, MA DMF and GotOne supports directives from NOAA to explore new technology that enable more effective data collection utilizing the recreational angling community. This partnership between private, non-profit and government agencies can provide a broader template for recreational fishermen to contribute to science in a meaningful way.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

There's something to be said about a man that follows his dream and earns it the hard way. Capt. Ron Ratliff of Marshdawn Charters is one of those guys. Nothing has been given to him. He's not polished, nor is he politically correct. From working on oil rigs to sacrificing family time to guide in Alaska, Ron knows what it means to work hard and earn your place at the table on your own terms. In his latest podcast with ASGA, Blane Chocklett highlights a Louisiana native who loves his job guiding in the marsh and is committed to preserving the place he calls his office and his home. Crack a cold one and grab a seat at the fire with Capt. Ron Ratliff.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

ASMFC Striped Bass Management Board fails to advance Addendum II for public comment.The ASMFC Summer Meeting, which concluded just a few hours ago, was lengthy and convoluted. An enormous amount of time was spent talking about carve-outs for special interests and very little time was spent talking about the health of our striped bass fishery. This will delay any reductions to the commercial sector until at least 2025.We are extremely disappointed with how this meeting played out. We told you they wanted to kick the can. Well, the can has been kicked.We'll have more details for you in the coming days as we sort through nearly 5 hours of soundbites packed with legislative gamesmanship. As always, we will do our best to break this down in a clear and concise manner.#StripedBass #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

With information gathered over the last couple of days, we’ve come to the realization that a new dance from the mid-Atlantic is in the process of being choreographed. They plan to “kick the can down the road.” Our latest episode provides a breakdown of why a delayed Addendum II process could be a nightmare outcome for striped bass. In this episode, we address a pending historical moment for striper spawns (not good), the lowest release mortality ever recorded for the Chesapeake and how the charter fleet in Maryland killed more fish than the charter fleet in the rest of the Bay and the Ocean combined.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation #StripedBass

ASGA firmly believes the story of the false albacore is still unwritten. If you’re new to the project and want a better understanding of the baseline from year one, head to our Albie Project Hub by clicking here. If you’ve been following along and supporting the project, we have some extremely exciting news for you. We received word that multiple spaghetti-tagged albies that were tagged and released off Cape Cod, MA in Fall 2022 were recently recaptured off the coast of Jupiter, FL! The cherry on top: those tagged fish were recorded and released to swim another day. While we are anxious to receive a full report on the data downloads from the receiver arrays along the coast, our partners at the New England aquarium have also let us know that our tagged albies swam from the islands off Massachusetts all the way to the Carolinas and even Key West, FL. We have merely scripted the first pages of the story of False Albacore, but already a compelling storyline is developing. We can’t wait to write this story together.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation #TheAlbieProject

Several weeks ago, ASGA's Will Poston sat down with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers’ Mike Woods to learn about shoreline access initiatives in Rhode Island and possible legislative solutions to this persistent issue. Since that recording, BHA led a call to action that drove enough engagement to generate a major win. Mike graciously stopped by The Guide Post again to provide the latest update.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

Dr. Andrij Horodysky is a fish biologist with expertise in gamefish sensory ecology. Blane and Andrij have been friends for decades. They founded a strong bond based on innovation in fly design through the lens of wildlife inspiration. In this episode, Dr. Horodysky breaks down some angling superstitions utilizing his gamefish ecology research experience including but not limited to: what fish see, why great bites happen at low light, what fish can hear and more. If you're addicted to learning every single fact about why fish act the way they do, this podcast is for you.Andrij’s creative interdisciplinary research has resulted in over 30+ scientific publications in the field of sensory ecology in fishes.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

ASGA's Tony Friedrich and Capt. Cody Rubner react to last night's New Jersey DEP striped bass meeting about adopting emergency action regulations.

Several weeks ago, ASGA's Will Poston sat down with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers’ Mike Woods to learn about shoreline access initiatives in Rhode Island and possible legislative solutions to this persistent issue. Since that recording, a lot has happened. Namely, a RI Senate Committee has approved a “compromise bill” and sent it to the full Senate. This bill would provide clarity to the question of where the public has a right to access the shoreline. BHA and others are supporting this legislation and are hoping for additional support—learn about this issue in the latest episode and head to the BHA Action Alert available here to share your voice and support! #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

After the fourth and final public hearing regarding the ASMFC's recent emergency action for striped bass management, ASGA's Tony Friedrich and Capt. Cody Rubner sit down for a round of "striper BS bingo" with their favorite logical fallacies from the public comments.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation #ASGA

We Won. Emergency Action Passes with Additional Addendum II. The conservation community has just won the biggest striped bass victory in decades. A HUGE heartfelt thank you to all the conservation-minded board members who heard our voices and made this happen.#StripedBass #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

Capt. Paul Dixon & Capt. Peter Whelan stopped by the Guide Post before the upcoming ASMFC Spring Meeting to provide a perspective on what striper fishing used to look like - and what we should continue to strive for.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

On the opposite end of the spectrum from the previous episode's commentary on striped bass, the upcoming ASMFC Spring Meeting presents a positive opportunity for anglers who desire to learn more and see precautionary management for false albacore and atlantic bonito. In this episode, the ASGA team breaks down a more hopeful opportunity to make your voices heard for another important character in the family of coastal inshore species.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

The ASGA team gears up for a big ASMFC Spring Meeting with a critical moment in the rebuilding of Atlantic striped bass hanging in the balance. After the return of increased harvest numbers for striped bass in 2023, the chance of rebuilding this stock by the required 2029 looks bleak if action is not taken.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

Make your voice heard for redfish in Louisiana. You can find the survey discussed and ASGA's Louisiana Redfish Hub at linktr.ee/asga. The state's redfish survey closes tomorrow, April 11, 2023. Capt. John West joins the Guide Post for a quick riff on his Sheepy Tournament experience and Louisiana redfish. This podcast was recorded in March at the Sheepy Tournament in Hopedale, LA. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation #Redfish #Louisiana

Ph.D. Grad Assistant Joe Dello Russo from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute's Pelagic Fisheries Science Lab stops by to update anglers on a study to determine the catch and release mortality of giant (commercial-sized) bluefin tuna.If you are a bluefin tuna angler up in the Northeast be sure to complete this quick survey!#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

Capt. Cody Rubner and Capt. Mike Holliday sit down for a fireside chat after Tuesday's Stuart Snook Workshop hosted by FWC. The two discuss the proposed regional management for snook, multi-dynamic assessment of the regions and the issues trending Stuart's fishery towards its demise. Public comment for the Snook Workshop is now open with more progress to come at FWC's Spring Meeting in early May. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

Tony, Will and Cody hop on the horn after today's Striped Bass Technical Committee meeting in which 2023 projections are announced.This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses. Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

You don't need to be a thirty-year veteran to change the game. Sometimes, you need to have the guts to speak up in a community that fears the ramifications of doing so - and that alone can leave a legacy. Captain Ty Hibbs was born and raised in Louisiana. And while he may be one of the younger faces, he has been one of the loudest voices about thoughtful harvest and more proactive management in the Bayou. ASGA's Blane Chocklett has spent plenty of days in the boat with this fishy young man and feels there are very few more fit to be featured in this series. We present the second installment of Blane's Game Changers: Captain Ty Hibbs.

Known for “serving fresh chum daily,” Brian Bennett and the Moldy Chum crew utilize an “irreverently serious voice” to cover all aspects of fishing, the industry and conservation. We were pleased to have Brian stop by #TheGuidePost to chop it up about conservation challenges, anadromous fish and the impact of “the five H’s".

A lifetime of lure design and innovation laid the groundwork for much of the fishing industry we know and love today. In the inaugural episode of his new series, Blane Chocklett welcomes angling icon and innovator Larry Dahlberg into the Guide Post studio. Which freshwater fish truly hold the pound-for-pound belt? What goes into a good fly and lure? Answer these questions and more with legendary tales from global travels in this episode of Blane's Game Changers. #GameChangers #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

Tony Friedrich and Will Poston of the American Saltwater Guides Association break down the latest outlook for striped bass management with an impending and important ASMFC meeting in May '23.

**AUDIO ONLY**FULL VIDEO AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE BY CLICKING HERERecorded in Spring 2022 at the ASGA Striped Bass Symposium.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

**AUDIO ONLY**FULL VIDEO AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE BY CLICKING HERETony Friedrich of the American Saltwater Guides Association breaks down the latest Redfish Stock Assessment in Louisiana. Photo credit for all assets used in the presentation to Guiding Flow TV hosted by Captain Benny Blanco.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

ASGA's Will Poston & Capt. Cody Rubner are joined by Ryan Collins, found of MyFishingCapeCod, to discuss a building battle against the pollution of 1+ million gallons of nuclear waste into Cape Cod Bay during the decommissioning process for an outdated nuclear powerplant in Plymouth, MA.Sign on to support the petition and tell Holtec not to dump radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay. Click here or go to https://www.change.org/p/holtec-please-don-t-dump-radioactive-water-into-cape-cod-bay?signed=true#BetterBusinessThroughConservation #CleanWater #CapeCodBay

Well, ASMFC did it. It's almost unfathomable, but they did find a way to ignore a 98% majority in the public comment window for Addendum 1 for striped bass management.They utilized an efficient flow of discourse at today's ASMFC Winter Meeting to never even acknowledge or discuss what 1900+ striped bass stakeholders demanded with their public comments. From the initial seconds they transitioned from the presentation to the discussion, minority Option D took center stage. This same Option D received a total of THREE (3) votes across the ENTIRE east coast public comment period. This motion was workshopped with a substitute motion until the Board came to an agreement, choosing to "kick the can down the road". Not a single second of discussion about what 1900+ stakeholders told the Board they wanted to see in their fishery.In this rapid reaction podcast, Tony summarizes what went down in another largely disappointing ASMFC Striped Bass Board Meeting.

Discussing the results of a recent genetics research effort focused on false albacore.

Peter Jenkins, the owner of the Saltwater Edge, stops by to put a bow on 2022 and looks forward to some exciting goals for 2023.This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association

Exciting news and data updates from The Albie Project! This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association

Tony is joined by Zach Cockrum and Jessie Ritter of the National Wildlife Federation to discuss two major bills that have gained traction and sport great outlook for fishermen and outdoorsmen alike.

At the start of the winter season, the gap between striped bass managers and their constituents was akin to the Grand Canyon - and somehow ASMFC has found a way to continue to grow that gap. The public outcry for guardrails for conservation equivalency (CE) was deafening. Today we rise and CE lives on. We were told it would take an addendum to Amendment 7 to establish these guardrails but there was “no appetite for an immediate addendum”. Well, last week we were presented a Draft Addendum 1 to allow commercial quota transfers for striped bass.The ASGA team remains committed to being honest brokers when it comes to striped bass management. We are not “anti-commercial”. We continue to amplify discussions focused on fixing the issues within our own recreational community. That being said, this commercial quota transfer addendum is not good - nor should it go unaddressed by striped bass community stakeholders.This is not what YOU asked for in your fishery - and now the time has come to remind ASMFC exactly that.This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association

The fight to reform striped bass management has been a long and arduous process. The number one issue for the voices involved has been putting guardrails on Conservation Equivalency (CE). Over 98% of public comments fully supported adding these guardrails. Yet, after the entire Amendment 7 process, CE stills sits on the table in front of us.This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association

This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association

Last week, the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission released a Notice of Intent to increase the minimum size limit on sea trout from a 12” minimum to a 13.5” minimum, as well as reduce the bag limit from 25 to 15 fish per person.In the latest #TheGuidePost podcast episode, Capt. Bailey Short swings by the shop to discuss changes on the horizon for Louisiana outdoorsmen and how they may improve angling opportunities going forward.ASGA considers this NOI a step in the right direction towards managing for abundance. We are encouraged to see the Commission considering changes for a better angling future. We will continue to monitor stock updates and the upcoming stock assessment results for redfish.This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association

Capt. Scott Owens swings by the podcast to discuss a shifting angling culture and the impending evolution of fisheries management in Georgia. Make your voice heard and support this fantastic angling community - click here to learn more.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation

In this episode, Capt. Cody Rubner and ASGA's Tony Friedrich connect after a 3-hour Atlantic Striped Bass Technical Committee And Stock Assessment Subcommittee meeting to discuss their initial takeaways from a complex but critical discussion.This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association

Taylor Ingraham stops by The Guide Post to talk about the upcoming Tightlined Slam tournament series on Long Island Sound. The 2022 Tightlined Slam tournament series targets striped bass, bluefish, bonito and false albacore. The Eastern Sound event will be held 9/30-10/2 and the Western Sound event will be 10/14-10/16. Each Angler will bring home a custom tournament dry backpack full of great gear from our sponsors, including Vineyard Vines, YETI and The Saltwater Edge.ASGA is extremely grateful for the support the Tightlined Slam events have provided since the inception of the first tournament and believes that the tournament shines as a great example of how conservation-focused events can generate serious community engagement, participation and comradery. To learn more about both tournaments and sign up for this year's events, click here.#BetterBusinessThroughConservation #TightlinedSlam#ProtectTheResource#StayTightlined #LongIslandSound

After a solid response to their recent community push for redfish management reform in Georgia, Chad Dubose and Jared DiVincent stop by The Guide Post again to walk anglers and conservationists through the upcoming timeline for public meetings and comment deadlines. Georgia DNR has proposed more favorable, preventative regulations that need public support to get past the finish line. Details below:Public Hearing #1:Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 - 6PM Armstrong Center, Georgia Southern University, 13040 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31419Public Hearing #2:Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 - 6PMCampus Center, College of Coastal Georgia, One College Dr, Brunswick, GA 31520Written comments are due by October 6th.Current limits: 5 redfish per person with no vessel limit.Proposed limit: 3 redfish per person with a total vessel limit of 9 fish.If you want to see more cautious management of Georgia's redfish resource, you must complete the online public comment survey and click "SUPPORT" for all proposed actions. You can comment with any additional changes or variations to these regulations at the bottom of the survey while still supporting the proposed regulations.To access the survey and make your voice heard, click here.This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association

The ASGA team is joined by Amber Hewett of the National Wildlife Federation to discuss the expansion of offshore wind development, implications for future stakeholders and how anglers can best ensure they have a seat at the table during the rapid expansion of the offshore wind (OSW) industry.

What does it take to be effective in an underrated and ever-evolving fishery that houses striped bass, bluefish, false albacore and bluefin tuna? The latest episode of the Albie Project Podcast Series is live with Captain Diogo Godoi - you’ll not want to miss this one.Diogo talks about the latest addition to his family, the transition from his past life in professional sports to guiding and why he chose to get involved with tagging false albacore.This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.Follow ASGA on Social to stay up to date on current events!Instagram = @SaltwaterGuidesAssociationFacebook = American Saltwater Guides Association