In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ben Meadows—fisheries economist, conservationist, and passionate redfish angler—for a fascinating dive into the real value of recreational fishing.

From the dockside price of a fillet to the unspoken joy of watching fish swirl in the surf, Dr. Meadows breaks down how economic tools can (and can’t) capture what fishing means to us. We explore how traditional models fall short in valuing catch-and-release, why property rights matter in fishery policy, and how anglers—from fly fishers to surfcasters—can use economic insight to advocate for the resource we all share.

Whether you're a policy nerd, weekend warrior, or just wondering what your striper trip is “worth,” this one’s for you.

• 00:00 – Meet Dr. Ben Meadows: economist, angler, and former SEC kicker

• 04:00 – Redfish, cheap thrills, and the roots of a fishing obsession

• 06:30 – What does it really mean to maximize fishing value?

• 10:30 – Commercial fisheries: economics, incentives, and extinction

• 15:00 – Why monopolies might (strangely) be the best for fish stocks

• 19:00 – Property rights: the key to sustainable commercial fishing

• 23:00 – The real value of catch-and-release

• 30:00 – Non-market valuation tools explained

• 38:00 – Even a bluefish and bad day can have economic value

• 42:00 – Why stock abundance matters as much as harvest

• 45:00 – Building a bigger tent for recreational anglers

In this episode, Pete Utschig returns to the Saltwater Edge Podcast to talk surfcasting strategy, big fish mindset, and the lifelong pursuit of “alpha” predators. From his days in the firehouse to chasing tarpon in Florida and roosterfish in Baja, Pete shares what it takes to consistently find success from the surf.

We cover the power of preparation, why confidence trumps plug color, and how moon tides, weather patterns, and current windows dictate your shot at a true trophy. If you’re serious about stripers—or just love hearing how passion and persistence play out on the water—this one’s a must.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro and welcome back Pete
01:08 – Surfcasting passion and conservation roots
02:45 – “Spend time to make time”: Planning and tide prep
04:00 – How firefighting shaped Pete’s approach to fishing
07:10 – Guide life in Northeast Florida: species and seasons
09:30 – Baja roosterfish and fishing the Pacific surf
11:30 – DIY tuna in Portugal: heartbreak and redemption
15:00 – The FG knot failure that changed everything
17:00 – Always be ready: preparing for the alpha
22:00 – Plan A, B, and C: Adapting to conditions
24:30 – Using logs and patterns to predict big fish windows
27:00 – Pete’s minimalist 5x5x5 plug strategy
31:00 – Current finders, cheat codes, and why confidence matters
34:00 – How to fish smarter, not just harder
42:00 – Storm tactics: Before, during, and after
45:00 – Moon tides and reading short windows
48:00 – Finding big fish after a blow
51:30 – Final takeaways and Florida guide updates

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We talk seasonal shifts, bait dynamics, and how to approach stripers, albies, and bluefin with the right presentation—whether you’re throwing a soft plastic, flutter spoon, or a bunker-matching fly.

00:00 – Intro: Brian’s path from Montana guide school to Massachusetts waters
01:30 – Lessons from senior guides on building a sustainable guiding career
03:30 – Off-season travel: Cuba, steelhead, and trout across the northeast
04:45 – South vs. North Cape Cod: tides, temperature, and strategy
07:00 – How bait and water temp influence striper migration
08:30 – Cape Cod Canal as a funnel for biomass movement
10:30 – Bait breakdown: River herring vs. bunker behavior
12:45 – How fish stage, rest, and digest in warm backwaters
14:50 – What drives bait movement: estuary dynamics and spring conditions
16:00 – Squid and peanut bunker: underrated keys to early and late season bites
18:00 – When tuna show up: dabbling in the bluefin game
20:10 – 2022: A season defined by stable bunker, predators, and insane biomass
22:30 – What triggers the fall run: tides, temp drops, and migration instinct
24:30 – How bunker behave in different parts of a bay system
26:30 – Identifying “happy” vs. “stressed” bait to pick your tactics
28:00 – Lure tactics: soft plastics, paddletails, docks, and retrieves that work
33:00 – Magic swimmers, Sluggos, and when to slow it all down
37:30 – Locating bunker: ledges, mooring fields, side scan, and sonar tips
43:00 – Flutter spoons: setup, depth, retrieve, and boat positioning
47:00 – Leader, knot, and rod recommendations for spoon fishing
48:30 – Fly fishing bunker schools: presentation, lines, and setting up drifts
53:00 – Why fishing structure can be better than targeting chaos
55:00 – Dredging with sinking lines vs. casting to active fish
57:00 – Teasing, bait-and-switch, and fly rod practicality in deep water
59:00 – Lessons from clients and staying sharp as a guide

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