Think you know all the fish swimming in your local rivers and streams? In our lakes and reservoirs, we target bass and crappie, and in our rivers, we chase trout and catfish. But beneath the surface, a secret world of vibrant, beautiful, and "forgotten fish" is fighting for survival, and their fate is a direct indicator of the health of the waters we all love.

In this episode, we sit down with Bo Baxter, the Senior Conservation Biologist at Conservation Fisheries, Inc. (CFI). Bo is on the front lines of the fight to save North America's most imperiled freshwater fish. We dive deep into a world most anglers have never seen, discussing the incredible species that form the foundation of our aquatic ecosystems.

Guest Information & Resources:

• Guest: Bo Baxter, Senior Conservation Biologist
• Organization: Conservation Fisheries, Inc. (CFI)
• Support Their Mission: CFI is a non-profit organization. You can learn more, see photos of the fish discussed, and donate to their vital work at their website.

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Underrated or Overrated? We Settle the Score! 🤔In this episode, we dive deep and spark some debate! I'm tackling some hot topics in the fishing world (and beyond!) and deciding if they're TRULY worth the hype or seriously slept on.On the chopping block:⭐ Phil Robertson⭐ Kayak Trailers⭐ Herring Lakes⭐ Hot Weather Fishing⭐ Magic Swimmer Lures⭐ Fishing Trip HotelsTune in to hear my takes, and let me know if you agree or disagree! Expect laughs, strong opinions, and maybe a few controversial thoughts.#FishingPodcast #Debate #UnderratedOverrated #FishingCommunity #FishingTalk #AlexRuddFishing

Is bass fishing truly thriving—or have we just forgotten what “healthy” looks like?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Steve Sammons, one of the most respected fisheries biologists in the game, to expose a hidden problem in the bass fishing world: shifting baseline syndrome.

We unpack the uncomfortable truth about how anglers—without even realizing it—have accepted degraded fisheries, smaller populations, and less biodiversity as the “new normal.” From tournament pressure and habitat loss to management blind spots, this is a brutally honest look at the future of bass fishing if we don’t start paying attention.

🔎 What we cover:

• What “shifting baselines” means in fisheries

• How anglers are unknowingly part of the problem

• Why today’s bass fishing isn’t as good as it once was

• The long-term dangers we’re facing if nothing changes

🎧 Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a hardcore tournament angler, this episode will challenge the way you see the lakes you love.