Striped Bass Are HERE! April Winners + Fishing League Heating Up |
April 30, 2026Episode 80 of Bay Rats & Buoys is here and this week we’re back in the studio thanks to some rough weather keeping us off the water—but that doesn’t stop the fishing talk! Captain Gaige breaks down everything happening right now as striped bass season continues to heat up across the tri-state area and anglers are getting fish in every region of The Fishing League.
This week we officially announced the April winners in all divisions of the league, and the competition is already getting intense heading into May! New teams are signing up every single day in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, proving this league is growing fast right out of the gate. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the perfect time to put your team together because every month gives anglers a fresh chance to win. The Monthly Featured Species leaderboard resets every month, meaning anyone can jump in and compete for monthly prizes in five different divisions no matter when they register. Meanwhile, your points continue stacking all season long as teams battle it out for the ultimate season championship title by December.
Captain Gaige also talks about the importance of picking your weather windows this time of year. The bass are officially here, and the bite has been getting better by the day. One lure that has absolutely been producing lately is the flutter spoon. If you’ve never experienced striped bass smashing flutter spoons, you’re missing one of the most exciting bites in fishing. The team shares some insight into the setups, retrieves, and conditions helping put quality fish in the boat right now around Long Island.
We also gave a shout out to Salt Mafia Gear for their support and high-quality fishing apparel built for serious anglers. Make sure you check them out and support the brands supporting the fishing community.
Another exciting announcement this week is Captain Gaige officially testing out the new Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses for content creation on the water. The first flutter spoon fishing video was already filmed using the new glasses, giving viewers a whole new perspective right from the action. Expect weekly fishing videos, reports, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the season.
Want to get out there and catch striped bass yourself? Head over to Sand City Fishing Charter and book your trip leaving from Huntington Harbor. The season is underway and the fish are chewing!