The NJ Multi Species Podcast

The NJ Multi Species Podcast 2025 Christmas Special delivers live giveaways, Christmas chaos, and some of the biggest fishing regulation wins NJ anglers have seen in decades . Joe Santiago and Chris Pereira are joined by Jerry Gorski from NJFishing.com to recap the NJMSP Christmas Party, announce giveaway winners, and explain how real angler involvement helped secure better sea bass, tuna, and str...

In Episode 132 of the New Jersey Multi Species Podcast, Joe and Chris are joined once again by Frank Mihalic , widely known as The Blackfish Master , for a deep dive into what it truly takes to land giant tautog . Frank breaks down drag systems, bait presentation, jig vs rig strategy, hook sharpness, blackfish behavior, and why patience beats spot hopping every time. The crew also discusses tog gr...

In Episode 131 of the New Jersey Multi Species Podcast, Joe and Chris welcome back Jerry Hicks of Net Trek to talk innovative fishing net design, multi-species challenges, and how the right net can change your entire fishing experience. The crew also covers striper reports, ice fishing safety, blackfish tactics, updates from the NJMSP Christmas Party, and the continued growth of Multi Species Mayh...

In NJMSP #130, Joe & Chris sit down with Frank Panico , Chief of NJ Fish & Wildlife Law Enforcement, for one of the most detailed and transparent conversations we’ve ever had. Frank explains officer staffing, response times, snakehead rules, freshwater vs saltwater enforcement, trespassing laws, fines, spearfishing in NJ, the 3-rod rule, CWD concerns, and answers dozens of “Stump the Warde...

Episode 129 features Josh Taylor of Fish Fever Guide Service breaking down freshwater striped bass winter patterns, bait selection, ice tactics, and the late-season shallow-ice bite. Additional topics include Mayhem standings, Delaware River walleye updates, the NJFishing.com Christmas Party, late striper/shark opportunities with Captain Dom, and Eddie Mackin’s jerkbait bite. Sponsors: Yellow Dog...

In NJMSP Episode 128, Joe and Chris welcome Dan from PalMarius Rods, the creator behind one of the most innovative fishing brands in the Northeast. They dive deep into jig design, electric reel tech, 3D-printed tackle solutions, and the journey from pouring bucktails in a Cape May shed to building a full-fledged tackle empire. The guys also talk: • The insane mystery fish that nearly spooled Sandi...

In Episode 127, Joe and Chris sit down with surf fishing technician Dan Mancari , who explains how to read cuts, work tides, build a bite, and target walleye after dark. The guys break down the massive updates coming to Multi-Species Mayhem 2026 , including new species, new divisions, membership perks, the return of the pig roast, and a potential grand-prize raffle structure. They cover the kayak...

In Episode #126 of the New Jersey Multi Species Podcast, Joe and Chris talk with Anthony Pensabene , Treasurer of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) . Tony explains the inner workings of the NJOA, its bipartisan mission, and how the organization supports the state’s hunting, fishing, and trapping community. They also discuss the Mayhem contest leaderboard shake-up, late-season white perch fish...

Joe and Chris welcome Craig McGuinness of Freedom Outdoor to tackle the Salmon River debate: do these fish actually bite, or is it all snagging? They also cover the Mayhem leaderboard , Yellow Dog Paddle Delaware jig trips, and Toggy Time Jigs’ Christmas Party rod giveaway. Other topics: fluke vs striper popularity, rising river privatization, and why the Salmon River has become both legendary and...

Old photos, big feelings. Joe & Chris sit down with Russell Bethon Sr. (Raritan Bay Anglers) to unpack whether yesterday’s norms—deck shots of winter flounder, liberal creel limits—caused today’s slowdowns, or if the real culprits are climate, predators, bunker, and pollution. Plus: Salmon River went nuclear, Rhode Island tog lessons (when to ditch the jig), “invasive” triggers & blowfish,...

Roger from Cooking & Fishing joins Joe & Chris for a deep dive on open-water smallmouth tactics, when live bait truly shines (and why he sometimes avoids it), and how LiveScope is changing tackle and technique. Then we wade into NJ fishery policy: the proposed 12% striped bass reduction , “no-target” vs “no-harvest,” sea bass debates, bunker pressure, and why better science (and less misin...

Phil Sciortino from The Tackle Box in the Atlantic Highlands joins Joe and Chris for a powerful, emotional episode about the struggles and pride of running one of New Jersey’s most historic tackle shops. They cover everything from the impact of online retail and rising costs to the fight against the proposed no-target striped bass regulation that could destroy local fishing businesses. Also in thi...

Joe and Chris sit down with Candidate Jack Ciattarelli for a candid talk about the future of fishing and outdoor recreation in New Jersey — covering everything from sea bass quotas and bunker boats to trout hatchery recovery, Merrill Creek access, and small business support for local tackle shops. Ciattarelli shares his vision for balancing conservation with common sense, protecting outdoor rights...

Joe disappears at the start of NJMSP #121 — and yes, he actually fell asleep! Chris and Deuce scramble to keep things rolling with Kevin Glenn, who tells the most chaotic fishing story ever: lost bait, cops called, broken motors, and a surprise salmon. Later, Joe wakes up just in time to join Morgan & Andy from Project Healing Waters , who share how their nonprofit uses fly fishing to help vet...

Episode #120 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast takes you from the Salmon River to the harbor at night, where Joe and Chris stumble into a whole new way to target salmon. From bobber-down skien fishing to dodging lines in low water, this recap is packed with fishing lessons and laughs. Our guest this week is Phil from Wildman Outdoor Adventures , a multi-species guide based in the Pacific Northwest w...

Episode 119 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast features legendary angler Chuck Many , who joins Joe, Chris, and Deucey to recap his unbelievable 18-species day (and why the count correction still proves the record). Chuck shares the story of his PB unicorn sheepshead , breaks down the history of weakfish, debates bait choices, and explains his obsession with striped bass. The crew also dives into the...

Episode 118 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast goes LIVE with our first-ever guest stream featuring Jen & Dustin Muse, competitive kayak bass anglers and content creators from Nebraska who built a career around fishing. Joe and Chris share trip recaps, including John Dornes lost giant largemouth, Chuck Manny’s legendary sheepshead, and a wild bluefish blitz that produced Spanish mackerel and boni...

Episode 117 is a milestone – the first-ever live-streamed episode of the NJ Multi Species Podcast! Joe and Chris dive into: Fishing the Passaic River with nonstop smallmouth, carp, and pike encounters. A heated debate on invasive species like snakeheads, flatheads, and blue catfish – threat or opportunity? Fishing with kids, boat vs. kayak vs. shore, and when to switch them from live bait to lures...

Joe and Chris return after vacation for Episode 116 of the NJ Multi Species Podcast! Joe recaps his dream trip targeting sheepshead with Captain Scotty Sevens, sparking a debate over catch-and-release vs. harvest of this emerging New Jersey trophy fish. Chris shares a surprise striped bass catch on vacation and raises concerns about salmon changing lake trout fishing at Merrill Creek Reservoir. Th...

Joe and Chris are joined by Tackle World’s Mark Mercer — a chef with a degree in culinary arts — to talk about the part of fishing we almost never discuss: keeping and cooking your catch. Mark shares insider tips on fish care, storage, and cooking techniques for both freshwater and saltwater species, explains why bleeding matters, and offers recipes that work even if you’re not a pro chef. We tack...

Joe and Chris break down the sea bass regulation crisis and what it means for NJ anglers, then talk with George Shao from The Fisherman Magazine about freshwater stripers, ice fishing, and why sharing fishing info matters. They also recap an insane fluke trip with Fishmonger III (81 keepers by 9:30 AM!) and a Chesapeake cobia adventure. Plus: the importance of standing up for outdoor rights—even i...

Back for the first time since Episode 2, Justin Lerner joins NJMSP to talk about his recent fishing adventures around the globe—golden dorado in Argentina, bull trout in Alberta, and snook in Florida. But things heat up fast when the guys debate whether lure color makes a difference and take on bait vs. lure elitism. Also in this episode: The Fishmonger is crushing fluke Hybrid stripers are lighti...

Episode 112 brings sturgeon power and saltwater chaos! Joe and Chris recap a 12-species challenge with Chuck, Joe’s first surf fluke attempt using Roger Aye’s blade mod, and welcome back Dave to talk about his unforgettable sturgeon trip in Oregon. From nearly being pulled overboard by a 7-footer to navigating an airport for the first time since 1980, Dave’s trip is packed with emotion, laughs, an...

Captain Coral Rose of the Coral Rose charter joins the NJ Multi Species Podcast to talk striped bass over 60 pounds, her roots in the Rhode Island charter game, and how she’s helping preserve the tog fishery while still putting clients on monsters. She shares how her dad flipped roles with her as she became captain, and what it's like being a female leader in the sportfishing world. Joe and Ch...

Captain Scotty Sevens returns to the NJ Multi Species Podcast to talk about New Jersey’s emerging sheepshead fishery, his solo tuna missions, and why guides like him are vital to cracking tough species. Joe shares a family camping trip and his niece’s first fish, while Chris recounts a mechanical scare on a fluke trip with 8 Ball that turned heroic. Plus, the crew reflects on the power of fishing...