Fishing League OFFICIALLY Launches Teams are Forming | NY Boat Show Recap

This week’s Bay Rats & Buoys episode is a full NY Boat Show recap mixed with a major announcement that’s been building for months — the official launch of the TheFishingLeague.com website and the opening of league registration. Phase One is officially live, teams are forming, and the countdown to the 2026 season has begun.



We had an incredible five days podcasting live from the New York Boat Show at the Jacob Javits Center, meeting anglers, captains, exhibitors, and listeners from all over the Tri-State area. The energy on the floor was unreal, and this episode is packed with shout-outs to the people who made the week so special. Huge thanks to Amanda, franchise owner of Long Island Paddle Pub, Kurt and Brandon from Pursuit Boats, James from the NYC Pirates, Chris from the Montauk Canyon Challenge, and Captain Amal from Big Apple Charters NYC, along with so many others who stopped by the booth to talk fishing, boating, and community. If you were at the show — there’s a good chance you’re mentioned in this episode.



This video also serves as the official launch video for TheFishingLeague.com! We break down exactly how the league works, what anglers can expect in Year One, and how Phase One of the website is designed to get teams registered and locked in early. The league will cover the entire Long Island Sound, with multiple divisions built for everyday anglers, families, charter captains, and shore fishermen. Registration is now open, teams are already forming, and early sign-ups will have a serious advantage heading into opening day.



While this is only Phase One of the site, it’s the most important step — building the teams, setting the foundation, and growing a competitive but community-driven league that’s focused on fun, fairness, and bragging rights.



We’re also looking ahead to our next stop — this weekend at the Copiague Fire Department Marine Unit Fishing Expo, happening January 31st from 9AM–2PM at 320 Great Neck Road. Bay Rats & Buoys will be there, so come say hello, talk fishing, ask questions about the league, and get registered in person.



Big things are happening. The league is live. The teams are forming.

Welcome to the next chapter of Bay Rats & Buoys.

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

This week’s Bay Rats & Buoys episode is a full NY Boat Show recap mixed with a major announcement that’s been building for months — the official launch of the FishingLeague.com website and the opening of league registration. Phase One is officially live, teams are forming, and the countdown to the 2026 season has begun.

We had an incredible five days podcasting live from the New York Boat Show at the Jacob Javits Center, meeting anglers, captains, exhibitors, and listeners from all over the Tri-State area. The energy on the floor was unreal, and this episode is packed with shout-outs to the people who made the week so special. Huge thanks to Amanda, franchise owner of Long Island Paddle Pub, Kurt and Brandon from Pursuit Boats, James from the NYC Pirates, Chris from the Montauk Canyon Challenge, and Captain Amal from Big Apple Charters NYC, along with so many others who stopped by the booth to talk fishing, boating, and community. If you were at the show — there’s a good chance you’re mentioned in this episode.

This video also serves as the official launch video for TheFishingLeague.com! We break down exactly how the league works, what anglers can expect in Year One, and how Phase One of the website is designed to get teams registered and locked in early. The league will cover the entire Long Island Sound, with multiple divisions built for everyday anglers, families, charter captains, and shore fishermen. Registration is now open, teams are already forming, and early sign-ups will have a serious advantage heading into opening day.

While this is only Phase One of the site, it’s the most important step — building the teams, setting the foundation, and growing a competitive but community-driven league that’s focused on fun, fairness, and bragging rights.

We’re also looking ahead to our next stop — this weekend at the Copiague Fire Department Marine Unit Fishing Expo, happening January 31st from 9AM–2PM at 320 Great Neck Road. Bay Rats & Buoys will be there, so come say hello, talk fishing, ask questions about the league, and get registered in person.

Big things are happening. The league is live. The teams are forming.

Welcome to the next chapter of Bay Rats & Buoys.

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Episode 66 of Bay Rats & Buoys is officially putting us into NY Boat Show mode — and the countdown is ON!

With less than a week to go, Captain Gaige breaks down the excitement of returning for our second straight year of podcasting LIVE from the legendary New York Boat Show at the Jacob Javits Center, running Wednesday, January 21 through January 25. Five straight days on the floor, microphones rolling, cameras rolling, and nonstop action from the heart of the boating world.

This episode dives into what listeners can expect from the show, including BIG news that will be officially announced during the NY Boat Show. Trust us — this is something you’re going to want to hear first. Bay Rats & Buoys will be bringing daily content, interviews, show coverage, and behind-the-scenes moments straight from the floor.

Captain Gaige also runs through the full slate of upcoming fishing and boating shows across the Tri-State area that Bay Rats & Buoys will be attending, making this episode a must-listen if you plan on hitting any winter shows, expos, or events before the spring season kicks off.

IMPORTANT: If you’re heading to the NY Boat Show, make sure to stop by Booth 1160 to meet Captain Gaige and Captain Kory, talk fishing, boating, podcasting, and get the inside scoop on everything Bay Rats & Buoys has lined up for 2026.

Whether you’re counting down to striped bass season, planning your next boat upgrade, or just love the energy of winter show season — Episode 66 sets the tone.

Tune in, share it with a fishing buddy, and we’ll see you at the show.

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Happy New Year Everyone! Become a Member of the Bay Rats and Buoys Fishing Club Now

Alright Bay Rats — listen up.

The Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club is officially LIVE.

This is something we’ve been building behind the scenes, and today we’re opening the doors.

If you want to fish harder, compete smarter, and be part of something bigger, this club was built for you.

Right now, you can head to SandCityCharter.com and join.

Spots are open right now, but founding member status is limited — once those spots are gone, they’re gone.

If you fish the Long Island Sound, whether you’re in New York or Connecticut, and you want to be part of a growing fishing movement — this club is for you.

We’re bringing together passionate anglers from across the entire Sound.

Boat guys, shore guys, weekend warriors, die-hards — all under one banner.

This is built by anglers, for anglers.

As a member, you’ll get access to:

• Exclusive signature tournaments and invitationals
• Live meet-ups and in-person events
• Members-only merchandise
• Insider fishing content
• And a direct connection to the Bay Rats & Buoys brand, captains, and partners

This isn’t just another online group.

This is a fishing club with real competition, real community, and real opportunities to level up your game.

If you’ve been listening to this podcast, fishing these waters, and waiting for something like this — this is it.

Go to SandCityCharter.com, join the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club, and lock in your founding member status today.

We’ll see you on the water — and we’ll see you at the top of the leaderboard.

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Episode 63 of Bay Rats & Buoys is all about closing out an incredible year the right way. As 2025 winds down, Captain Gaige wants to take a moment to wish every listener, viewer, supporter, and fishing family a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a healthy, successful New Year ahead. This community has grown beyond anything we imagined, and this episode is a true thank-you to everyone who tuned in, shared the show, fished alongside us, and helped make Bay Rats & Buoys what it is today.

To cap off the year, we’re officially launching LIVE registration for the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club directly on the home page of SandCityCharter.com. This is a huge milestone for the brand and for the growing Bay Rats community. While the full Fishing Club page will go live on the site next week, we wanted to give our most loyal listeners the first opportunity to lock in their spot before the calendar flips to 2026.

By signing up now, you’ll become a Founding Member of the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club — a badge of honor that marks you as part of the original crew that helped build this from the ground up. The club is designed for anglers of all skill levels who love fishing, learning, competing, and being part of something bigger than just another group chat or social media page. More details, perks, events, and announcements are coming very soon, but this episode marks the official starting line.

We also want to hear from YOU. 2025 was a year packed with unforgettable days on the water — trophy fish, first catches, family trips, tournament wins, sunrise runs, and dockside memories. To close out the year, we’re asking everyone to jump over to Facebook and drop your coolest fishing photos from 2025 in the comments. Whether it was your personal best, your kid’s first fish, or just a day that meant something special, let’s celebrate it together.

Thank you for riding with us through another season. New episodes, new events, and big announcements are right around the corner as we head into 2026. Until then, enjoy the holidays, stay safe, and we’ll see you on the water.

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Why is the Stratford Shoal the most haunted lighthouse in the Long Island Sound?

That’s how Episode 62 of Bay Rats & Buoys kicks off, and from there it only gets wilder. In this special holiday edition of the podcast, Captain Gaige dives into one of the most chilling maritime legends in our backyard — the eerie history, unexplained stories, and spine-tingling reputation of the Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Lighthouse. Whether you’re a boater, angler, or just someone who loves local lore, this conversation will have you looking at the Sound a little differently the next time you pass by.

But the scares don’t stop with ghost stories. Captain Gaige also shares a very real, very intense firsthand experience of getting caught in a severe lightning storm while exiting Huntington Harbor. From the sudden shift in conditions to the split-second decisions every captain dreads, this story turns into a powerful reminder of how quickly things can change on the water — and why preparation, situational awareness, and respecting Mother Nature are non-negotiable.

Joining the conversation is Captain Kory from Kory’s Kustoms, first mate aboard Sand City Charter and a familiar voice to Bay Rats & Buoys listeners. Kory chimes in with his own perspectives, adds some laughs, and helps round out this festive yet hard-hitting episode with real dock-talk from someone who lives and breathes the boating lifestyle. The chemistry is loose, unscripted, and exactly what Bay Rats & Buoys is all about.

With just two weeks left until 2026, the countdown is officially on. Captain Gaige shares his excitement about the upcoming launch of the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club, a community built for anglers and boaters who want more access, more value, and more connection. The question now is — who will step up as the first founding members? If you’ve been thinking about joining, this episode might be the push you need.

Plus, Captain Gaige drops another boating app recommendation that somehow slipped through the cracks in Episode 61 — proving once again that there’s always something new to learn on the water.

Don’t miss this episode. Share it with your fishing buddies, your dock neighbors, and anyone who loves the Long Island Sound.

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Episode 61 of Bay Rats & Buoys is packed with practical tools, winter strategy, and big-picture excitement as we gear up for an epic 2026 season. Captain Gaige kicks things off with a breakdown of captains-recommended boating apps that every angler and boater should have on their phone or chartplotter. From navigation and weather tracking to tides, currents, and safety tools, we talk about what we actually use on the water and why these apps can make the difference between a smooth day and a stressful one. Whether you’re a seasoned captain or a weekend bay runner, this segment is loaded with real-world advice you can put to work immediately.

We also run through the boating and fishing shows Bay Rats & Buoys will be attending in the coming months. These shows are all about connecting with the community, meeting fellow anglers, checking out new gear, and talking fishing face to face. If you’re heading to any of the shows, make sure to stop by, say hello, and talk shop with us. The off-season is when plans are made, boats are dialed in, and the hype for spring really starts to build.


One of the biggest announcements in Episode 61 is that the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club is right around the corner as we head into 2026. This has been a long time coming, and we’re fired up to build a tighter community, with club to club competitions, education, access, meetups, perks, and on-the-water experiences for dedicated Bay Rats.

And finally, the countdown is officially on. Striped bass season opens April 15th, and every day brings us closer to bent rods, working birds, and that first spring linesider. The prep starts now—gear, boats, and game plans—because when opening day hits, it’s go time.

Tune in, stay connected, and let’s keep building something special—on and off the water. 🎣⚓

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/

Bay Rats & Buoys Episode 60 – “Charleston Reds, Southern Waters & Chef Rob’s Grand Opening!”

Episode 60 of Bay Rats & Buoys brings the heat straight out of South Carolina as Captain Gaige sits down with Charleston’s finest: Captain Jamey and Captain Matt from Charleston Red Fish Pros, along with our good friend Chef Rob, who just celebrated the grand opening of Global Pizza inside Godwin Beer Hall in Summerville, SC! This week’s episode is a blend of Southern hospitality, world-class fishing, and big news for the Bay Rats community.

Captain Jamey and Captain Matt share their incredible story of how they launched their charter business from the ground up and what drives their passion for chasing Red Fish and Bull Reds in Charleston Harbor, Wadmalaw Sound, and the endless back bays and creeks they fish seven days a week. These guys live on the water, breathe the tides, and know the Lowcountry redfish game better than anyone. From skinny-water ambush tactics to reading the tides in the marsh, they walk us through the techniques, gear, and instincts that built Charleston Red Fish Pros into one of the most respected charter operations in the Carolinas.

We also take you behind the scenes of Chef Rob’s major milestone — the grand opening of Global Pizza, a new culinary hotspot offering creative, globally inspired pies inside Summerville’s popular Godwin Beer Hall. Chef Rob talks about the journey, the menu concept, and how fishing buddies, good food, and community always seem to come together under one roof.

Meanwhile, here in the Northeast, we’re just a few weeks away from a massive start to the new year! Bay Rats & Buoys is gearing up for the NY Boat Show at the Javits Center from January 21–25, where we’ll be podcasting live for five straight days! Right after that, catch us at the Copiague Fire Department Fishing Expo on January 31, followed by the newly expanded two-day Ward Melville High School Fishing Show coming this March.

And the biggest announcement of all — the Bay Rats & Buoys Fishing Club officially launches in 2026! Get ready for tournaments, meet-ups, exclusive content, and the next evolution of our growing community.

Tune in, subscribe, and stay salty — Episode 60 is one for the books!

https://sandcitycharter.com/podcast/