Striped Bass Are HERE! April Winners + Fishing League Heating Up |

Episode 79 of Bay Rats & Buoys is exactly what this podcast was built on—raw, unscripted, and back where we belong… on the boat in the marina. Season 3 is in full swing and you can feel the energy building as the fishing season starts to come alive across the Long Island Sound.

This week, Captain Gaige and First Mate Kory dive right into the action with a major update on The Fishing League as we gear up to announce our April winners this weekend. The leaderboard is already heating up, and the competition is only getting stronger. The best part? You still have time to register your team. We know plenty of anglers don’t even have their boats in the water yet—but that’s the beauty of this league. Whether you fish from a boat, kayak, or the shoreline, there’s a division for you to compete all season long.

As always, we’re giving you the real-time intel you need to stay on fish. Every week we break down what colors are working, the lures we’re dialing in, current water temperatures, and the patterns we’re seeing out on the water. The striped bass bite is officially underway, and we’re seeing more life with every trip—things are trending in the right direction.

Of course, with a new season comes the big questions every angler is asking…
Will the bluefish show up this year?
Will the bunker return in massive schools like we’ve seen in years past—or will it be another slow showing like last season?

These are the conversations happening on every dock and in every tackle shop right now, and we’re breaking it all down based on what we’re seeing firsthand. One thing we do know—the water temps are running a bit cooler than last year, which lines up with the colder winter we had. That could play a big role in how this spring bite shapes up.

We also drop big news about our Second Annual Striped Bass Invitational, locked in for June 27th & 28th. This year it’s a two-day event, and we’re bringing the heat with a tag and brag format that keeps conservation front and center while still fueling that competitive fire. If you’re looking to be part of one of the most exciting events of the season, now’s the time to get signed up.

Season 3 is rolling, the fish are here, and the momentum is real. Let’s go.