Brooklyn Fishing Club Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Opager, Director of Communications for Major League Fishing (MLF), to dive deep into how MLF has become the premier tournament circuit in the world of largemouth bass fishing. Joe breaks down the evolution of the league, the innovative weigh-in system that's changed the game, and what sets MLF apart from traditional formats. Plus, he tells stories from the tournament trail and gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a top-tier fishing organization.

Join Dr. Marty Arostegui — the world's most decorated angler with over 400 IGFA world records — as he shares incredible tales from his record-breaking adventures. From escaping communist Cuba as a child to becoming a doctor and the first angler to land the IGFA Billfish Royal Grand Slam on fly tackle, Marty's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Join us for a captivating two-part episode featuring the iconic Billy the Greek, a fishing legend with over seven decades of experience. Dive deep into the world of striped bass as Billy shares his insights on the current state of the fishery, expert tactics for landing giant bass, and unforgettable stories from his decades of angling adventures. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just love fishing tales, this episode is a must-listen!

Join 17-year-old pro bass fisherman Dylan Quilatan as he reels you into his incredible journey from fishing in Central Park to competing in the Major League Fishing (MLF). Dylan shares his personal story, expert tactics for catching largemouth bass, and insider tips to help anglers of all levels up their game. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned bass angler, Dylan's passion and experience will keep you hooked.

Join Southern California fishing guide Fred Klinshaw as he shares expert tips and tales from the water. Specializing in largemouth bass, Fred dives into the challenges of running a charter business, recounts unforgettable fishing adventures, and breaks down the best seasonal tactics to help anglers up their bass game. 

Dr. Aaron Adams serves as the Director of Science and Conservation at the Bonefish Tarpon Trust. He's is responsible for formulating, overseeing, and implementing BTT's science and conservation plan. We discuss migration patterns, fish testing positive for drugs, the staus of tarpon in the Northeast and more. 

In this episode, we sit down with Cam Kirkconnel, a world-renowned spearfishing guide and yacht broker who has spent his career chasing trophy fish in some of the most remote corners of the globe. With 18 world records to his name, Cam has an incredible wealth of stories from the deep—both underwater and on the water. 

Known for his raw lyricism and timeless contributions to Hip Hop, Masta Ace takes you behind the scenes of his storied career and shares personal anecdotes about icons like Old Dirty Bastard, Sean Price, and more. With his influence stretching from the streets of Brooklyn to the ears of modern rap giants like Eminem, this episode is a celebration of hip hop's golden era and the legends who shaped it.

Captain John McMurray is a legendary charter captain who's been catching striped bass and tuna around NYC for over two decades. He shares stories about his career, close calls with death, challenges of being a charter captain and more. 

Stefan Turko set out on a mission to land a Bluefin Tuna from his kayak and he did just that, accomplishing something that has never been done in the USA (and possibly the world) until now. We have the inside story on this insane catch that happened a two weeks ago, plus information on how he landed it, what lure was used and more. 

Manny Puig is an icon of the outdoor world and he's gone hand to hand (or hand to fin) with some of the most dangerous fish/animals on the planet. He shares stories from his adventures, tips on how to handle wildlife, close calls with death and more. 

Valentine Thomas, the world famous spearfisherwoman, cook, author and mom, joins the show for a second interview. We discuss her travels, how her career has changed since becoming a mother, ideas around conservation and more.   

On this episode we're joined by none other than Chef Brad Leone - a culinary master and all-around outdoorsman. We discuss his two Youtube shows, the challenges of being an influencer, overlooked ingredients and more. 

On this episode we're joined by none other than Chef Brad Leone - a culinary master and all-around outdoorsman. We discuss his two Youtube shows, the challenges of being an influencer, overlooked ingredients and more. 

Captain Abie Raymond is a charter captain out of Miami, Florida. We discuss his fishing career, time spent working with Bouncer Smith, close calls with death, epic catches and more. If you love good fishing stories you won't want to miss this episode!

Alan Elenson is an old school New York City fisherman who has the IGFA line class records for 4, 8, 16 and 20 lb. for Bluefin Tuna. He's gone to extreme lengths to catch these fish, you don't want to miss his story!

Tim Choate, founder of Wild Oceans and a legendary pioneer of sportfishing, joins us to discuss his journey to become the most influential billfish angler since Hemingway. Ray Rosher, a billfishing legend in his own right, joins us as a special guest host to bring you one of our best episodes to date.

Join us for an exclusive discussion with the legendary Captain Bouncer Smith, a titan among charter captains with an astounding 54 years of experience navigating the Miami waters. This living legend has survived deadly encounters with sailfish, caught the world record halibut on the fly (yep, you read that right!) and has a treasure trove of gripping stories to share. We also discuss the rising shark issue that's impacting anglers across the world. Get ready to dive into the wild tales and unparalleled industry insights from a true fishing icon!

We're thrilled to have one of the most legendary captains in the Northeast, Joe Diorio, onboard to share his treasure trove of knowledge with us. From his inspiring journey to becoming a charter captain to his go-to techniques for targeting stripers, we're diving into it all. Join us as we discuss his valuable insights on striper fishing methods, and his take on the constantly evolving striper regulations in the Northeast.

Ready to embark on an adventure? Join us for a discussion with the legendary Jon Cooper, also known as Froggy. Discover how he rose to fame not just in spearfishing but also in the billfishing scene with the Get Lit team. We're delving deep into his extraordinary life, from surviving a shark attack and a lightning strike to his escapades hunting dogtooth tuna along the African coast. This episode is packed with unbelievable tales and priceless fishing wisdom! You won't want to miss out—tune in for some legendary fishing stories with Froggy!

Get ready for an inspiring episode as we sit down with Brett Henninger, the incredible mind behind @hennlures. Hear how he overcame adversity after a devastating fire and emerged stronger, crafting top-notch baits that anglers swear by. We delve into the challenges of running a small fishing business, unravel tales from Brett's adventures across Central America, and even chat about his personal best catch. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation packed with resilience, passion, and angling adventures!

Join us for an incredible episode featuring Adrian Moeller, the captain of Rockfish Charters, as he shares his unique journey from the Hip Hop industry to becoming a full-time charter captain. Although he's been sick, he still called in to the show to share his story! We'll delve into the challenges he's encountered during his first season, including some gripping tales of close calls with danger while out on the water. Adrian's transition from the music scene to the sea is a story you won't want to miss! Tune in as we explore his remarkable experiences and uncover the unexpected twists and turns of his fishing adventures.

Captain Ray Rosher is back for a thrilling part two episode! Get ready to be amazed as he spills the beans on the epic tale of catching not one, not two, but four sailfish from an inner tube. Yes, you heard that right! We'll dissect each picture he sent our way, unraveling the epic tales behind them. Trust me, these are some of the best fishing stories ever, and that's saying a lot after 57 episodes! For an exclusive peek at the pictures and more behind-the-scenes action, follow us on Instagram @nycfishing. 

In this episode, we're diving into the world of sportfishing with none other than Captain Ray Rosher, the legendary owner and operator of Miss Britt Charters in Miami. With an impressive 30 first-place tournament wins under his belt, Ray's angling skills are truly next level. We'll take you on a journey through his remarkable career, exploring the highs and lows, the thrill of victory, and the challenges of the sport. Plus, we'll touch on the intriguing concept of fishing as a fine line between a gambling addiction and a fishing addiction. Get ready for an exciting episode with an angling icon!

There's been a significant increase in the number of sharks along the coast of NY in recent years, and there are many anglers trying their best to catch them. This episode has all the information needed to have a safe and successful shark trip. Benjamin Dyall has been shark fishing from the beaches of South Florida for decades. He calls in to discuss tactics and techniques, he shares his story of landing a ten-foot tiger shark, how he saved a little girl from being attacked by a shark and more.

Cooper Gallant is a professional angler on the Bassmaster Elite circuit. He calls in from the road to give advice to young anglers trying to go pro, the ups and downs of tournament life, his PB largemouth, life on the road and more. 

One of the most accomplished anglers on the planet, Patrick Sebile, joins us to discuss his 34 IGFA world records, how he's managed to become #2 in the world for "most species caught," lures he's invented, stories about getting shot at by pirates while fishing in Africa and more.

Sheepshead have become a trophy fish to target in the Northeast despite a lack of regulations to sustain their population. Have they been here for a while? Or did they arrive in the past few seasons? Will they be here much longer? Scotty Sevins is dialed in on 'em and answers these questions, plus he provides tips on where & how to catch them, we discuss the impact of the lack of regulations, the impact of spearfishing and more. 

A lone wolf who keeps a low profile, Frank Goncalves, is one of the best surfcasters in the Northeast. We discuss tips on eeling for stripers, what plugs he uses and when, unexplainable things he's seen while fishing and more. If you're looking to improve as a surfcaster you don't want to miss this one!

One of the best fishing photographers in the Northeast joins us to discuss his quest to capture the highest quality fishing pictures in the world. We talk about what goes into being a professional fishing photographer, the challenges he's faced within the industry and stories from his adventures on the high seas. 

Orlando (@norcalkat) calls in to discuss striper fishing on the west coast, why swimbaits are more popular in CA than NY, his plug making process and more.

Capt. John McMurray, a renowned conservationist and seasoned saltwater fishing guide from NYC, weighs in on the topic of whales dying in great numbers in the Northeast. Over the past six months, an abnormal amount of whales have perished and no one's sure why, but one thing everyone can agree on is that it isn't normal.

Bill Wetzel joins us to discuss the 22' Striper run, UFO sightings while surf fishing, when to use bucktails vs. plugs and more!

Greg Myerson achieved what many anglers dream of when he landed the world record striped bass. Since then he's published a book, caught stripers in the triple digits and landed a deal on Shark Tank with Mark Cuban. 

For years, rumors have swirled around the infamous snakeheads of New York City. At one point they established a small population in Central Park, but were killed off by the DEC. Many thought they'd been eradicated and for a while, things went back to normal. However, the invasive species was quietly infesting another body of water within the five boroughs. And now it's safe to say that they're here to stay. Snakehead can survive frigid winters and grow upwards of 2 and a half feet, all while living in some of the grittiest conditions known to hold fish. Our next guest, Dennis Morano, caught the largest snakehead on record in NYC.

Vance Zahorski, founder of Line Cutterz, explains how he turned an idea into a multi-million dollar brand. You might have seen him win a deal with Daymond John on Shark Tank, and you could be using his product without knowing he invented it. The brand he created continues to grow and we talk about how he made it happen. 

From the kitchen to the ocean, Brad Leone is always pushing the limits. He's a world-famous chef, best-selling author and a longtime member of Brooklyn Fishing Club. You might have seen him cooking up some good eats on your TV and if you follow him on the gram then you already know he's always outside. We discuss his rise to fame, how he prepares his catch, his new hobby of spearfishing and more.

On this episode we're taking a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where Wes Brough, aka Cabo Surfcaster, was born and raised. He's spent his entire life fishing the beaches for giant roosterfish, cubera snapper and mahi mahi. He also caught the world record snook from the beach in extreme conditions, you don't want to miss this story!

Before fishing channels on Youtube existed, Bill Dance was making waves by hosting and producing his own fishing videos for millions of viewers. He's a true legend and trailblazer who's inspired generations of anglers to follow their dreams and most of all, to have fun while doing it. 

Our next guest, Mike Iaconelli, is a professional angler, a pioneer of urban fishing and the only angler in the history of the sport to win the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Angler of the Year, and the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship. 

Captain Chris Gonzo has been fishing the waters around NYC since childhood, he's seen a lot over the years. Nothing could've prepared him for what he'd experience when he went out on an impromptu solo mission and found himself up against a giant bluefin tuna. In addition to this wild story we discuss sturgeon as a bycatch, fishing as a life skill and more.

The Vice President of the Auburn University Bass Team, Sam Hanggi, discusses the finer details of what it takes to competitively fish on the college level, how to earn a scholarship for fishing, the high school scouting process and more. 

Eduardo Tossato set out on a mission to win the infamous Surf Rats Ball this year and he did exactly that! On this episode he discusses what went into this endeavor and how he managed to pull off the win at the last second with a 50+ lb striper. 

This summer has seen high numbers of sharks cruising the beaches in the Northeast. Chris Stefanou has been catching everything from Great Whites to Hammerheads from shore in NY for almost a decade. Tune in to hear about his catches, conservation efforts, close calls and more. 

World renowned fly fisherman and pioneer, Captain Paul Dixon, joins us to discuss striped bass conservation, the art of flats fishing and the 51" striper he recently caught and released. 

Tim Reagan, an avid angler and drone pilot, joins us to discuss some of the content he's captured over the past few years. You might know him from IG as @southforksalt if you haven't seen his footage you need to check it out.

Captain Mike LaRussa went out for a casual day of seabass fishing when he unexpectdedly ended up in a battle with a massive swordfish, all within sight of land. This story is almost unbelieveable, you'll have to hear it for yourself to believe it!

World renowned spearfishing legend, Valentine Thomas, joins us to discuss a variety of topics. We delve into her story, misconceptions about sustainability, how to train for spearfishing, advice for young women and more. 

If you don't know who Bob the Garbageman is, you're about to find out. This legendary bunker chunker has a lot to say when it comes to Stripers, Surfcasters, social media and more. This episode is uncensored, parental advisory strongly suggested. 

For the first time in the history of NYC fishing we've become the bluefin tuna capitol of the Atlantic Coast! Follow @nycfishing on IG for all things related to the BFC podcast.  

Legendary spearfisherman Peter Correale joins us to discuss his 4 world records, stories from the deep and more. If you're interested in getting into spearfishing or improving your game, this is a must listen!