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!

In this special episode of the Mudfish Adventures Podcast, Master Captain and custom rod builder Steve "Scooby" Stubbe steps away from Toledo Bend and dives into the heart of the Houston Fishing Show's 50th anniversary. Scooby sits down with the powerhouse family behind Batson Enterprises—Bill Batson, Keller Batson, and Eden Batson—for a deep conversation about craftsmanship, family legacy, and innovation in the fishing rod industry.

Celebrating 25 years in business, the Batson family shares their inspiring journey from building rods in a garage to becoming one of the most trusted suppliers in the custom fishing rod world. Learn about their unique process, the importance of quality control, and how they've kept customer service and faith at the core of their success. Hear about Scooby's long-standing relationship with the Batsons, new rod designs for a Sasquatch-themed TV show, and a sneak peek into the Batson's massive product line and new online ordering system.

Whether you're a rod builder, a fishing fanatic, or someone who loves family-run businesses with heart, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and even a few tears. Plus, get to know "Crazy Bob" and find out how to connect with the Batson crew for all your rod-building needs.

🎣 Connect with Batson Enterprises:
Website: batsonenterprises.com
Phone: (360) 681-2381

Book a trip or get a custom rod at www.MudfishAdventures.com

Welcome back to the Mudfish Adventures Podcast, hosted by Master Captain Steve "Scooby" Stubbe, coming to you not from the serene shores of Toledo Bend, but live from the 50th Anniversary Houston Fishing Show! In this special episode, Scooby sits down with Crystal Kirkham, part of the family legacy behind one of the biggest and most beloved fishing expos in the country.

Crystal dives into the rich history of the show, shares how it has grown over the decades, and gives listeners a glimpse into the exciting future of fishing—from high-tech gear to fly fishing seminars. With exhibitors from around the world and family fun at the core of the event, this episode is a celebration of community, tradition, and of course, fishing!

Captain Scooby also reflects on his experience hosting seminars at the show, chats about fly fishing opportunities with Orvis, and reminds everyone that fishing is truly a year-round adventure in East Texas.

So grab your rod, mark your calendars, and enjoy another lively episode with the one and only Captain Scooby. Whoop whoop!

🎣 Learn more or book your next fishing trip: www.mudfishadventures.com
📞 Call the Captain: 1-844-683-3474
📸 Follow the Houston Fishing Show on social media and don't forget to hashtag #HoustonFishingShow for all the latest updates!

In this episode, we sit down with Froylan Hernandez, the Desert Bighorn Sheep Program Leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife, to discuss the highs and lows of restoring one of Texas' most iconic species. From boots-on-the-ground wildlife management to high-flying helicopter captures, Froylan shares what it takes to conserve bighorn sheep in the rugged mountains of West Texas.

We cover everything from the collapse of native populations due to disease and habitat loss to the modern-day efforts to bring them back—tracking with GPS collars, disease research, and youth outreach through programs like the Texas Brigades. You'll also hear behind-the-scenes stories about live captures, partnerships with NGOs, and how conservation is a team effort fueled by biologists, researchers, volunteers, and media.

Tune in for this informative and often humorous look at the real-world challenges of wildlife conservation in Texas—and why it's up to all of us to help restore the balance we once disrupted.

🔗 Learn more at: www.mudfishadventures.com

On this episode of the Mudfish Adventures Podcast, Captain Steve "Scooby" Stubbe sits down with Emily Richett, author of Mama Bear Survival and founder of MamaBearSurvival.com. Broadcasting from the HuntFish Podcast Summit at Pintail Hunting Club, Emily shares her incredible journey from busy media professional and mother of four to self-reliance advocate, hunter, and first-time author.

Emily talks about how the changing world motivated her to reclaim lost skills in personal protection, food preservation, emergency preparedness, and sustainable living. Frustrated by the lack of practical, female-focused resources, she created Mama Bear Survival — a beautiful, full-color guidebook packed with strategies for women (and families) who want to be resilient in today's uncertain times.

In this lively and heartfelt conversation, Emily and Captain Scooby discuss self-reliance, hunting heritage, concealed carry training, the Women Hunt program through the Wild Sheep Foundation, and why having a network of support and preparedness skills is more crucial than ever. Whether you're new to the outdoors or just starting your journey into survival skills, Emily's story will inspire you to take the first step.

🎣 Learn more about Emily's book at MamaBearSurvival.com!
🌿 Check out more adventures at MudfishAdventures.com

In this inspiring episode of the Mudfish Adventures Podcast, Captain Steve "Scooby" Stubbe sits down with two incredible guests: Chris Geib of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and legendary Captain Red Flowers. Broadcasting from the Pintail Hunting Club amidst high winds and big dreams, they dive deep into the mission to fight pediatric cancer through groundbreaking fundraising efforts.

Chris shares the critical work being done across 40 partner hospitals to develop less toxic, more targeted treatments for children battling cancer. Captain Red Flowers recounts his personal battle with cancer and how it led him to take on the ultimate challenge — completing the Great Loop Challenge, a grueling 6,000-mile boating expedition completed in just 19 days — to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. Hear behind-the-scenes stories of the journey, the technology that powered it, the community that rallied around it, and the heartfelt motivation to help the 43 children diagnosed with cancer every day.

Learn how you can support the Great Loop Challenge 2.0 and join the mission to make a difference, one mile, one donation, and one child at a time.

Support the Cause:

• Visit National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and search "Great Loop Challenge" to donate or get involved!

• Check out Mudfish Adventures to stay connected with Captain Scooby and future episodes!