Ep. 81 - Rufus Wakeman
Rufus Wakeman is a legend on the water — a lifelong fisherman, conservationist, and storyteller. From chasing giants to protecting Florida’s ecosystems, Rufus brings passion, grit, and wisdom to every conversation.

Rufus Wakeman is a legend on the water — a lifelong fisherman, conservationist, and storyteller. From chasing giants to protecting Florida’s ecosystems, Rufus brings passion, grit, and wisdom to every conversation.
Ott DeFoe is one of the greatest professional bass anglers of all time. He recently won Major League Fishing's Stage 6 of the Bass Pro Tour on the Potomac River. The tournament, held from June 26 to June 30, ended with a Championship Round where DeFoe landed 32 bass weighing a total of 78 pounds, 11 ounces — enough to take home $150,000! Back in 2019, he became the Bassmaster Classic Champion with a total weigh-in of 49 pounds, 3 ounces, earning $300,000 in prize money. These are just a few of h...
Don’t miss part two of our compelling interview with the legendary Billy the Greek — a true icon in the fishing world with over 70 years of experience. In this episode, Billy dives deeper into the striped bass fishery, offering expert strategies for landing trophy bass, his candid take on the state of the waters, and unforgettable stories from a lifetime spent on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just love a great fishing story, this episode is a must-listen!
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 organi...
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 Cameron Kirkconnell, 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.
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 unpar...
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 f...
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 adv...
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 wan...
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 ...
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 ...
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.