The Guide Post

In this episode, Tony and Cody delve into the latest updates on striped bass management and the next steps leading to the December 16th management board meeting. They break down key dates, including the public comment period, the release of stock assessment reports, and discuss potential adjustments needed to rebuild the population by 2029. This discussion highlights the challenges of balancing re...

In this heartfelt tribute to fly-tying legend Bob Popovics, Tony Friedrich hosts an inspiring conversation with Blaine Chocklett, Jason Taylor, and Ben Whalley—three of Popovics' closest disciples and friends. They share deeply personal stories about the man behind some of the most iconic fly designs in modern angling. From his groundbreaking innovations like the Surf Candy and Beast Fleye to his...

In this episode of the Guide Post, hosts Tony and Cody give their rapid reaction to today's ASMFC striped bass management board meeting. They navigate the frustrating twists and turns of the meeting, where delays, indecision, and personal agendas ruled the day. From debates about implementation timelines to the exhausting six-hour marathon of charades, the duo breaks down what happened and what's...

In this special episode of the The Guide post podcast, we host a "Striped Bass AMA" to answer pressing questions from our community about the state of Atlantic striped bass. With critical management decisions on the horizon and recent news of a historic spawning event, this episode dives deep into the biology, management, and future of one of the most iconic fish on the East Coast. We address a wi...

In this episode of the Guide Post Podcast, hosts Will Poston and Blane Chocklett are joined by guest Tim Adams, founder of Oxbow Brewing Company. The discussion primarily focuses on Tim’s creation of the "All Species" fishing tournament in Maine, its unique format, and the broader community it fosters. Tim shares his background, starting Oxbow Brewing 13 years ago, and how he’s blended his passion...

Ben Meadows, an economist and professor at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, delivers an engaging presentation centered on the value of Louisiana redfish. Using his personal experiences with redfish and fishing trips with his grandfather, he explores the economic and non-economic values of redfish. Meadows highlights that many people tend to assess the value of redfish solely by its market pri...

This presentation features Luyen Chou, an entrepreneur and passionate fly angler, talking about his innovative fishing app, “Got One.” Chou explains that he developed the app to address the lack of tools that help anglers gather and analyze data to improve their fishing performance. The app allows users to log catches, record details such as species and length, and automatically pull environmental...

This is a two-part video that features presentations from two core members of The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The first half of the presentation features LDWF’s Jason Adrience, the Finfish Program Manager and Chief Scientist, and focuses on the status and management of redfish. He begins by discussing the biology of redfish, emphasizing their long lifespan (up to 39 years), mat...

Dr. Marcus Drymon, a fisheries ecologist at Mississippi State University, highlights his research on an underappreciated fish species, the Jack Crevalle. Supported by organizations like the Lower Keys Guide Association and Bajio Sunglasses, this project focuses on the biology and management of an amazing species. Initially starting as a side project, Dr. Drymon’s interest in the Jack Crevalle grew...

In this episode, Captain Ray Jarvis stopped by to talk everything false albacore. In the last few weeks, ASGA guides have deployed three (3) separate Floy tags on false albacore that were all recaptured less than two weeks later! These tags tell an important story about the value of false albacore as a catch and release fishery and raise questions about the total abundance of the fishery at scale....

False albacore management is back on the docket in North Carolina. The first time albies entered the conversation in February, we saw big wins for little tunny. In that comment period, the North Carolina state agency let us know that it’s been years since they received this many comments on an issue. This influx of passionate digital comments was followed by more than 20 guides and anglers gi...

Join the American Saltwater Guides Association and Cheeky Fishing for a rowdy celebration of the beloved Little Tunny, a.k.a false albacore. The 2024 Tunny Tournament will take place on September 21, 2024 on Cape Cod, MA. This one day tournament empowers anglers from shore and boat to chase down albies, participate in citizen science and win epic prizes from some of the best brands in the industry...

Menhaden advocates from across the country tuned into today’s ASMFC Menhaden Board meeting. At one point, there were 163 people logged into the webinar. Why was this meeting so well attended? Because of a vague statement listed as the final agenda item: “Discuss Possible Chesapeake Bay Management (L. Fegley) Possible Action.” Now, you know as well as we do that Maryland is not exactly a bastion of...

In this episode of Shop Talk, the crew sits down to share absurd guide tales and show love to underappreciated species like Jack Crevalle. The Shop Talk series provides access to the lighter side of the Association - less science and policy, more fish stories and healthy laughs. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

In this episode, Tony and Cody provide more context on the Local Singles Program - a collaborative community campaign to minimize the recreational angling footprint and reduce striped bass release mortality rates. Learn more and participate by clicking here . #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

Take a deep dive into the Marine Biological Lab's incredible striped bass research, which utilizes local eel pond populations to better understand an important migratory species. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

In Episode 146 of The Guidepost, ASGA’s Will Poston sits down with Emilie Franke of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to discuss Draft Addendum II for Atlantic Cobia. Recreational data uncertainties, shifting distribution, and structural management deficiencies are some of these issues frustrating cobia management, and what Addendum II seeks to address. Cobia from Georgia through Rho...

Ted Upton, CEO of North Point Brands, swings by The Guide Post to talk about the most recent Cheeky Schoolie Tournament, a community celebration of an iconic species and the successful, 13-year development of an event with "dirt parking lot roots". ASGA is extremely humbled and honored by the community reception and brand support the Association has received at the Schoolie Tournament. Thank you t...

In this episode, ASGA's Will Poston is joined by Dr. Genny Nesslage of the University of Maryland's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory to discuss an important piece of marine food webs: menhaden.

Tony and Will drop in for a rapid reaction from the ASMFC Spring Meeting. Topics include the latest on red drum, spanish mackerel and striped bass. #TheGuidePost Presented by Costa Sunglasses

With the life of a fishing guide already being so chaotic, it’s hard to imagine how a simultaneous career as a musician is even possible. Balancing both of these journeys along with family life has become the norm for Chuck Ragan, a fly-fishing guide and musician based out of California. While Chuck has experienced a professional life most could only dream of, his proudest memories are based aroun...

Consistent spawning production is paramount to a fishery’s long-term health. Many environmental factors are suspected to impact annual spawning production, and understanding these effects is crucial for conserving this fishery. For Atlantic striped bass, the right conditions are linked to high flows, a cool spring and a moderate temperature rise through the season, but these three factors only don...

Luyen Chou is the founder of the GotOne app. In this episode, Luyen stops by The Guide Post to recount tales of hunting sheepshead in the marsh of Louisiana and talk about the challenges of fisheries data. Luyen expresses hope for a revolution in capturing high-quality data at scale to better understand the fish we love to catch. #TheGuidePost Presented by Costa Sunglasses

The ASMFC Striped Bass Management Board held a formal review of the state implementation plans for the new regulations under the recently passed Addendum II. During this meeting, the Board voted to find the PA, MD and PRFC jurisdictions out of compliance. This vote passed 11-3-1-0 (full motion transcribed below): “Move to approve Addendum II state implementation plans as discussed today with the f...