The Guide Post

Cody and Tony wind down the year with some thoughts on what went down in 2025 and what's set up for 2026.

Tony and Cody stop by the Guide Post to chop it up about current events.

ASGA's Policy Director Tony Friedrich is joined by Dr. Michael Wilberg of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The two discuss new research that explores the natural mortality of striped bass.

The “most important fish in the sea” just exposed one of the biggest management failures in decades. A new assessment shows Atlantic menhaden quotas were set 300 million pounds too high. The fallout could reshape both the Atlantic and Gulf fisheries — and what happens next is up to us. Our Association stands firm on three statements: (1) The Atlantic fishery needs to "take the cut", and the indust...

What’s going on? The “most important fish in the sea” just exposed one of the biggest management failures in decades. A new assessment shows Atlantic menhaden natural mortality was inaccurately estimated for years, causing quotas set 300 million pounds too high. A significant, immediate reduction is necessary to align with science-driven management and right the course of a critical forage fi...

A recap of the ASMFC Summer Meeting 2025.

Alan Batista—a well-known striped bass angler, fishing author, and advocate from Maryland—joins the Guide Post to break down a recent run-in with enforcement that sparked serious questions about current fisheries policy. Alan was issued a ticket for allegedly targeting striped bass during a closed season despite doing nothing wrong. This episode dives deep into the reality of so-called “no-targeti...

The legend "Capt. Jack" stops by to share tales from global experiences and discuss his involvement in The Jack Project in domestic waters.

ASGA's Tony Friedrich and Cody Rubner hop on The Guide Post to toss around a couple of thoughts about protecting spawning fishing before the holiday.

It's been too long! Tony and Cody rekindle the Guide Post flame after a hectic spring season on the policy and community fronts. This episode includes an update on Redfish, Stripers, Jack Crevalle, Tie Fest and more...

In this guest lecture, Dr. Walt Golet from the University of Maine provided an in-depth exploration of the remarkable physiology and global movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Dr. Golet highlighted the species’ exceptional adaptations, such as their ability to regulate body temperature and sustain high-speed, long-distance migrations, which contribute to their status as apex ocean predators. The s...

Throughout the history of time, there have been few other animals that evoke such a strong emotional response from the general public as the great white shark. From Hollywood-driven fear to sublime fascination, the great white shark has captivated the imaginations of hundreds of millions of people. Few know this species better than Dr Greg Skomal, of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries....

How much is a fish worth? Most anglers would immediately default to answering that question based on what the cost of that fish sells at market. The real answer, however, is much more complex! In this engaging and informative seminar, Dr Ben Meadows of the University of Alabama at Birmingham provides viewers an in-depth look into the economics of catch & release fishing. Using striped bass as...

After years of data pouring in from The Albie Project, advocacy, persistence, and support from our dedicated community, we’re excited to share a major win for false albacore management. Today, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (NCMFC) narrowly passed a proposed rule that establishes much-needed safeguards for this critical species. The vote was close, but ultimately, the Commission re...

In this episode of  The Guide Post , we dive into the world of custom rod building with Zack Richardson, the entrepreneur behind Zack’s Custom Rods. From humble beginnings crafting rods in his childhood home to building a thriving business in Westport, Massachusetts, Zach shares his journey of passion, persistence, and problem-solving. He talks about the challenges of scaling a business, the...

In this special episode of  The Guidepost , guest host Nick Jones welcomes a true titan of the fly fishing world, Keith Rose-Innes. As the Managing Director and co-founder of one of the most renowned fishing outfits on the planet, Keith shares his extraordinary journey—from pioneering remote fisheries to championing conservation efforts in the pristine atolls of the Seychelles. Dive into Keit...

In this episode of  The Guide Post , we’re joined by Captain Daniel Andrews, co-founder of Captains for Clean Water. Daniel shares his story and role in the organization’s mission to fight for sound water management in Florida and restore the iconic Everglades. We dive into how Captains for Clean Water is uniting communities to protect Florida's coastal ecosystems and what it takes to be an i...

ASGA brings you part two of a new series, diving into the fascinating world of fisheries and natural resource economics. Economist Dr. Ben Meadows breaks down the concept of market failures, the different types of goods (private, public, common resources, and club goods), and their relevance to fisheries management. In this episode, we dive into the challenges of balancing resource use with conser...

The ASGA team provides a striped bass recap before the holidays and sets the scene for what lies ahead in 2025.

In this inaugural episode of  The Angling Economy  series, host Tony Friedrich introduces Dr. Ben Meadows, an environmental and natural resource economist with a passion for fishing and conservation. Together, they dive into the intersection of economics and fisheries, explaining foundational concepts like scarcity, trade-offs, opportunity costs, and supply and demand. Using relatable an...

The ASMFC Striped Bass Management Board must take action to fulfill their obligation to rebuild our striped bass fishery. We believe the Board needs to prioritize the long-term health of this shared resource and equitable contributions to conservation by all sectors. Reductions should balance impacts across jurisdictions. Law enforcement has deemed no-targeting closures unenforceable. Despite the...

In this episode, the ASGA team dives into the latest developments from the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board's Technical Committee Presentation Webinar. Hosts Cody and Tony recap the complex two-and-a-half-hour meeting, including a detailed Q&A session. Key topics include the challenges of implementing equitable seasonal closures, the controversy surrounding "no-targeting" regulations, an...

In this episode, hosts Tony Friedrich, Kyle Schaefer, and Cody Rubner deliver a rapid reaction to the latest developments in striped bass management. They dissect the Technical Committee's report and highlight concerns about proposals such as no-targeting closures, which are inequitable and unenforceable. The team unpacks flawed assumptions driving management decisions, including projections based...

In this episode of  The Guidepost , guest host Nick Jones dives into a captivating discussion with Matt DeLorme—a talented artist, accomplished angler, and passionate conservation advocate. Matt shares his journey from fishing the coasts of Maine and Seattle to blending his love for art and the environment through intricate relief prints. The conversation explores parallels between the patien...

In this festive and reflective episode of  The Guide Post , the team dives into holiday themes and fishing memories. Tony, Kyle, Scotty, and Cody share stories about the best and worst gifts they've ever received—from mismatched boots to beloved pets—offering heartfelt and humorous anecdotes from the holiday season. The discussion transitions to the challenges facing fisheries today, with eac...