The Fishing Podcast

East Coast trailer boat legend Mike Benicci sits down with the boys. Spearfishing roots, Coral Sea dogtooth, marlin lessons learned the hard way, cracking stickbait yellowfin, kingfish gear, and the six-day trailer boat missions chasing dogtooth up north. Plus the fish he still can't let go of. Chapters 00:00 – Intro: why Mike's an East Coast legend 02:13 – How it started: family trips, spearfishing in Malta 04:09 – Coral Sea era: chasing 50kg+ dogtooth tuna 07:29 – Hayley's rise: seasick deckhand to elite angler 11:08 – Learning marlin fishing the hard way 16:39 – Stickbait yellowfin: lures, size, reading the workup 26:20 – Releasing tuna properly — what actually works 32:45 – Kingfish: popper vs stickbait 41:51 – Six-day trailer boat missions chasing dogtooth up north 53:34 – Blue marlin, Exmouth, and the one that got away Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Joel and Lee swap stories from two very different weeks on the water. Joel took the entire Australian Boomers basketball team - including Ben Simmons, Josh Giddey and Jock Landale - out chasing squid ahead of their World Cup and Olympic campaigns. Meanwhile, fresh off the tackle trade show in Brisbane, Lee breaks down the standout new gear for the season including Shimano's award-sweeping year and a new breed of soft plastics. There's also a jaw-dropping side-scan sonar catch of a 150cm giant jewfish cruising just meters from the boat and the boys reflect on fishing in today's culture and the next generation of young anglers. Chapters: 00:00:13 Intro - Trade show vs. fishing recap 00:00:39 The Boomers basketball team squid trip 00:06:04 Ben Simmons' offshore fishing world championship team 00:09:50 Brisbane trade show recap begins 00:11:21 Shimano's 7 awards + Calcutta Conquest DC reel 00:24:39 The Dunphy Award story 00:26:16 Kids/grom fishing boom 00:28:53 Eden Craft boat business update 00:34:13 The guy who eats soft plastics 00:36:33 Scent tips + the 150cm giant jewfish on side-scan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From plumber to fishing captain, Riley Page has built a life around the water and at just 26 he's already living the dream. In this episode of The Fishing Podcast, Riley talks about leaving his trade behind to pursue a career on the water, how he got his start in the fishing world, and what it's really like working as a captain and crewman. We dive into chasing yellowfin tuna and kingfish, the thrill of hooking a massive blue marlin, and the lessons that come from losing big fish. Riley also shares stories from his family's six-month adventure through Western Australia, where the kids got stuck into everything from queenfish and trevally to Spanish mackerel. Plus, we talk boats, fishing preparation, life on the Central Coast and what's next for Riley on the water. Chapters 00:00 — Meet Riley Paige: Living the Dream Job on the Reef 02:21 — From Plumber to Captain: Riley's Path Into Game Fishing 03:33 — The Day It All Started: "Best Day of My Life" 09:02 — Landing the Viking 60 and the Bad Company Connection 10:17 — Thrown In the Deep End: Crewing for Bad Company on the Reef 22:41 — Why Light Tackle Blue Marlin Is the Ultimate Challenge 24:03 — Winning the Shootout With a 704lb Blue Marlin 32:54 — Back-to-Back Glory: Young Bray's Junior Prize Fish 41:22 — The Omni Sonar Revolution and Fishing Out Wide 51:39 — The One That Got Away: Losing a 1,200lb Giant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is fishing technology getting too good? Lenny from Garmin joins the podcast to talk about the rapid evolution of fishing electronics and how tools like the PS70, LiveScope and the latest LVS42 and LVS44 transducers are changing the way anglers find, understand and catch fish. We talk sonar, live-scoping, finding bait, targeting tuna, learning how fish react to lures, and where fishing technology could go over the next 5–10 years. Lenny also shares some of his favourite fishing, his move from the NSW South Coast to Victoria, and the one blue marlin that still sticks in his mind. Chapters: 00:00 – Lenny survives the Sydney Boat Show 03:39 – What exactly is the PS70? 05:26 – How 120° sonar is changing fishing 06:40 – Using sonar to turn on tuna 07:57 – Finding bait before you start fishing 08:23 – LiveScope 42 vs 44 11:27 – What will fishing electronics look like in 10 years? 14:55 – Lenny’s first swordfish 18:14 – The future of fishing technology 29:57 – How LiveScope changed the way we fish 33:41 – The Blue Marlin that got away Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Block, big tuna, blue marlin, kingfish and a six-month family adventure across Western Australia. Kyal Demmrich from The Block joins us to talk about life after reality TV, building and renovating on the Central Coast, and why fishing has become such a huge part of his world. From chasing 60kg yellowfin tuna on Pro Fidgies to losing a giant blue marlin, Kyal gets into the reality of offshore fishing — what works, what doesn't, and the lessons that come when everything seems dialled in. We also talk boats, jigging for kingfish, chasing snapper on plastics, family fishing adventures and how Kyal and Kara built a renovation and content business after The Block. Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:00 Life after The Block 11:00 Getting into offshore fishing 16:00 The blue marlin 22:00 Chasing big tuna 29:00 Kingfish and jigging 36:00 Boats and fishing with the family 42:00 Six months in Western Australia 52:00 The fish that got away Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Gilchrist has built a reputation as one of Australia's most passionate trophy fish hunters. From the legendary waters of Coffs Harbour to unforgettable expeditions in Oman and the Seychelles, Sam is always searching for the biggest and toughest fish he can find. In this episode, we dive into his obsession with topwater fishing, creating world-class fishing content, chasing giant yellowfin tuna, and the mindset it takes to consistently target trophy fish. We also chat about family life, travelling the world to fish, and why the pursuit is just as rewarding as the catch. Whether you're into offshore fishing, topwater lures, GTs, tuna, or simply love hearing incredible fishing stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel and Lee kick things off with a reel idea, a snapped rod, and the stunning shift in bluefin activity along the Victorian coast — top-water tuna, smarter fish, and why more anglers are ditching the troll for something more dynamic. From there it's straight into Blue Marlin World Cup talk, before Lee's own story drags the conversation into the shark subject that's been blowing up on socials this week — sharks following boats, and Australia's ongoing love-hate relationship with them. No guest needed. Just two blokes, a broken rod, and a lot to talk about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee and Joel are joined by Michael Tong, a C4 quadriplegic who refuses to let his disability keep him off the water or out of the field. Michael talks about life after his injury, the adaptive gear that keeps him fishing and hunting, and the mindset that's carried him through it all. A raw, inspiring conversation about grit, adaptation, and chasing what you love no matter the obstacles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk with Jon from Molosi Lures about the brand's journey from handmade garage lures to global recognition, and how fishing helped rebuild a bond between brothers. He shares stories from early land-based missions across Australia, the trial-and-error path from the first broom-handle lure to designs that actually worked, and the effort behind every release—from testing to production. We discuss how social media and behind-the-scenes content fueled the brand's growth, the challenge of scaling without losing craftsmanship, and how Molosi's micros and staples opened the brand up to younger anglers, with community feedback and real catches building trust along the way. John also reflects on the pressure of first major drops and the lessons of turning a passion project into a business, and we close with a memorable fish story that captures both a big heartbreak and a big milestone in the brand's history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee and Joel look back on a big first season of the show — the highlights, the hard lessons, and everything in between. Lee shares his recent frustrations with sharks making a nuisance of themselves on the water, while Joel can't stop talking about his upcoming trip to New Zealand. A relaxed chat between two mates to close out the season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee and Joel are joined by freediver and abalone enthusiast Chris Wright for a deep dive into one of Australia's most thrilling and delicious ocean pursuits. Chris takes us beneath the surface of the cold, kelp-filled waters of southern New South Wales to explore the secretive world of recreational abalone diving, from reading the ocean and finding the perfect spot, to the techniques, gear, and hard-won knowledge it takes to pry these prized shellfish from the rocks. Whether you're a seasoned diver or simply curious about what lies beneath, this episode is packed with stories, tips, and a healthy dose of saltwater stoke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Lee and Joel are joined by Collingwood AFL star Harry Perryman for a cracking chat about the other great passion in his life fishing. Harry opens up about how time on the water keeps him grounded through the pressures of elite sport, his favourite spots and species to target, and what a typical day off looks like when footy's not on the mind. Whether you're a fishing fanatic, a footy fan, or both, this one's a ripper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee Rayner and Joel Ryan sit down with legendary lure maker Graeme “Bonze” Fleet for a deep dive into the obsession, craft, and chaos of big‑game fishing. From the early days that shaped his passion to the global rise of Bonze Lures, Graeme shares the stories, innovations, and wild moments that turned him into one of the most respected names in the sport. It’s an energetic, honest, and often hilarious conversation about chasing fish, chasing perfection, and building a brand that changed the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After an epic Barramundi trip chasing the run-off in the Northern Territory, getting home turned out to be just as wild as the fishing. Navigating croc-infested waters and flooded river crossings, Jez's journey back was anything but straightforward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Lee and Joel welcome aboard Tim Dean, a name synonymous with the legendary black marlin grounds of Cairns. With a lifetime spent running charters in one of the world’s most iconic fisheries, Tim brings a treasure trove of stories from monster fish that pushed crews to their limits to the quiet moments that remind you why the ocean keeps calling you back. Together, they explore the craft of marlin fishing, the characters who shaped the scene, and the deep respect that comes with chasing giants. It’s an episode rich with history, heart, and heavy tackle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee and Joel are in the studio when Jeremy and Helen dial in live via satellite from the Northern Territory and within the first five minutes, the remote connection erupts as they hook and land a Barra in real time. The episode blends that unexpected live catch with their stories of being caught in a brutal Top End storm and close encounters with lurking crocodiles, giving the show a sharp hit of danger and Territory atmosphere in a tight, punchy package. There is some tech trouble and Jezz & Helen drop in an out of the chat. This is a wild one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices