In this episode of the Mudfish Adventures Podcast, Captain Scooby is joined by South Padre Island guide Captain Trae Peña and his dad Lupe—two anglers who've spent the last several years trading saltwater flats for a little freshwater adventure on Toledo Bend. What follows is a wide-open conversation about fly rods, redfish behavior, sunglasses, sunscreen, boat safety, fishing culture, and why the Mudfish rod has become one of Trae's go-to tools on the water.

Trae shares insights from 10+ years guiding the Lower Laguna Madre, one of the saltiest and shallowest bays in the world, where tailing redfish, speckled trout, and flounder hunt in knee-deep gin-clear water. He breaks down why accuracy, fast loading, and quick shots matter more than anything—and why the compact Mudfish rod has changed the game for sight-casting in ultra-shallow water. The guys dig into casting styles, fly design, how to "bully" big redfish and snook out from under docks, and what happens when a woolly bugger goes head-to-head with a school of reds (spoiler: not much).

From there the episode dives into gear talk—Costa sunglasses and lens color choices, the truth about SPF, dangers of cheap sunblock, breathable shirts, waders, and why your nose hurts when you pick the wrong pair of glasses. They also discuss responsible boating, water etiquette, new-generation mudfish rods, and why massive horsepower boats ripping the bays at 60 mph may be damaging the fishery.

Lupe jumps in with stories about camera work, switching to the new Mudfish scoping rod, and suddenly casting double the distance with zero weight on the line. The trio also cover fly patterns, including Trae's deadly "Krusty Krab" redfish fly, topwater poppers, and how different colors and foam shapes change the strike.

The episode wraps with conservation talk, Toledo Bend bass behavior, stocking efforts, client expectations, release ethics, and how Trae balances his guiding life with being a family man.

If you love fishing—freshwater, saltwater, fly, or conventional—this episode is packed with practical wisdom, hilarious stories, and expert insight from two fisheries a world apart… connected by good rods, good people, and good times on the water.

Connect & Book Trips:
🎣 Trinity Fishing Charters – Instagram/Facebook: @TrinityFishingCharters
📞 956-975-0023

🎣 Mudfish Adventures – Custom rods, guided trips & more
📞 1-844-683-3474

Woop woop!

In this episode of the Mudfish Adventures Podcast, Captain Scooby sits down with guests Robert Hannibal and John Monteith for a deep-dive into one of the Sabine River's most beloved traditions—an annual multi-day float trip that began almost two decades ago and continues to grow in legend.

Recorded after their most recent journey from Toledo Bend Dam down to Burr Ferry, this conversation paints a vivid picture of river life: pristine weather, eager bass in untouched water, big crappie bites, and the kind of camp camaraderie you only get when you're miles from the nearest road. The guys break down boat setups, fishing tactics, creature baits, white perch hotspots, and even the occasional accidental treble hook extraction (thankfully with a vet and five techs on site!).

They also share hilarious camp stories—trailers sinking into clay ramps, wrestling sandbars, teenage boys rampaging through the night, a floating TV for the LSU game, and the kind of river lore that sticks with you forever. You'll also learn how the trip originally began as a squirrel hunt, why picking the right water level matters, and what newbies need to know if they want to paddle (or motor) this stretch safely.

Along the way, Scooby shines a spotlight on his guests' lives back home in Sabine Parish—Robert's dual role as dealership manager and Mayor of Many, and John's work developing waterfront properties around Toledo Bend. As always, it's stories, community, and a whole lot of woop-woop! spirit.

Whether you're planning your own Sabine float, love hearing fishing adventures, or just enjoy good Southern storytelling, this episode is packed with knowledge, laughs, and the heart of Mudfish country.

Book a trip, learn more, or grab a custom Mudfish rod at:
👉 mudfishadventures.com
👉 1-844-683-3474

Woop woop!

In this episode of the Mudfish Adventures Podcast, Master Captain Steve "Scooby" Stubbe takes you behind the scenes at the 50th Anniversary of the Houston Fishing Show, where he sits down with Jeff Purdy and Zach Dorman of The Fly Hair Co. These fly-tying pioneers share their journey from taxidermy roots to becoming one of the most sought-after sources of premium fly-tying materials in the U.S.

Learn about their unmatched fly-tying materials sourced from all over the world—ranging from mountain goat hair to Texas peccary—and how their signature bucktails and exclusive hair blends are changing the game for fly anglers. Zach, The Fly Hair Co.'s head fly tier, breaks down the benefits of natural hair brushes, their cutting-edge Livescope jigs, and how their custom designs are making waves in both the trout and crappie fishing world.

Whether you're a seasoned fly tier, a guide, or new to the game, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and passion for the craft. Plus, find out how their unique dyes and methods passed down from fly-tying legend Kyle Hand are keeping tradition alive—one epic fly at a time.

For a guided trip or custom rod visit www.mudfishadventures.com

🎣 Learn more at theflyhairco.com
📱 Contact Jeff at (972) 743-2992
📱 Contact Zach at (405) 535-5484 | Instagram: @zachdormanfishing

Whoop whoop!