On The Water

A once-in-a-lifetime striped bass blitz unfolded in the Cape Cod Canal when an incredible concentration of shortfin squid moved into the area.
Jimmy Fee, Alex Blackwell, and Matt Haeffner break down the entire event—from the mysterious squid beachings and the first reports of giant stripers eating squid, to racing down the canal, finding massive schools of squid, and watching 40- and 50-inch stripers absolutely annihilate them.
They discuss what made this bait event so unusual, how the fish were feeding, why traditional squid-pattern plugs struggled, the soft plastics that produced, and how structure, current, and positioning made all the difference.
The crew also dives into the history of these squid events, the famous “squid hound” nickname for striped bass, and why this particular squid run could have implications beyond the Cape Cod Canal.

In this episode, angling chef Brad Leone talks about dry-aging fish, eating grass shrimp, and childhood food traumas. Also discussed: Cap'n Crunch as a seafood ingredient, losing the striper of a lifetime, and coming of age on a party boat.

This week on the On The Water Podcast, we're joined by Zach Fowler of Fowler's Makery & Mischief and History Channel's Alone to talk about his latest adventure, Chasing Stripes.
After years of survival expeditions and wilderness challenges, Zach has become obsessed with striped bass—and he's documenting the entire spring migration from New Jersey to Maine. He shares what sparked the project, the lessons he's learned fishing alongside some of the Northeast's best anglers, and why the journey is about much more than just catching fish.
We also dive into surfcasting etiquette, truck camping between tides, conservation, following the migration, fishing with John Skinner, the books that inspired the series, and how Zach is turning the experience into both a YouTube series and an upcoming book.
Whether you're a dedicated surfcaster, a fan of Zach's adventures, or just love hearing great fishing stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Two of the East Coast's most obsessed surfcasters share stories, wisdom and philosophy on the pursuit of large striped bass from shore. Topics include strange things seen while surfcasting, keeping the excitement high season after season, and eel-induced incontinence. 

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Jimmy Fee and Chris Megan welcome longtime friend, veteran charter captain, and avid angler Mike Holliday. With nearly four decades of guiding experience on Florida's Treasure Coast, Mike shares unforgettable stories, lessons learned on the water, and the passion that's kept him chasing species like tarpon and snook for almost 40 years.
OTW Podcast Brought to you by:
Old Town Kayaks: https://oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/kayaks
HUK Gear: ⁠www.huk.com⁠
⁠Quantum: ⁠https://www.quantumfishing.com/
Helen H: ⁠https://helen-h.com/
Pro Cure Baits: ⁠https://www.pro-cure.com/⁠ (USE CODE OTWP26 for 20% OFF)
Buzzards Bay Yacht Sales: https://www.buzzardsbayyacht.com/
Striper Cup: www.StriperCup.com