Join experienced angler and educator, Mark Gostkiewicz, for an immersive deep-dive into bottom fishing in Long Island Sound. Whether you’re a new boat owner, a head-boat voyager, or a shore angler looking to take your skills to deeper waters, this workshop is designed to turn "fishing trips" into "catching trips." 

The Sound is a complex and beautiful ecosystem, but finding the fish requires more than just luck. In this class, we’ll take the guesswork out of your time on the water. From decoding underwater topography to mastering the perfect bottom rig, you’ll learn the exact strategies Mark uses to bring home a fresh harvest from the sea.

What You’ll Learn:

• Targeting the "Big Three": Specific breakdowns for Fluke, Black Sea Bass, and Porgy (Scup), including how to find their favorite "condos" and "highways." Bottom line is this is a Bottom Fishing with Bait class.

• Digital Scouting & Sonar Secrets: We will see how LIS was formed in the last ice age and go beyond basic charts. Learn to use apps like Navionics to identify bedrock, glacial deposits, and sandwaves. We’ll decode sonar signatures—from bait "clouds" to hard "botches"—so you know exactly what’s under your hull.

• Mastering the Drift: Learn how to position your boat for the perfect ambush over reefs and sand waves, and how to reposition/rest your drifts to stay over the structure. You'll learn how to avoid "scoping out" so you can stay on the bottom.

• The Gear/Tackle: Master the "Pro Spooling Method" (Bottom-Up technique) to maximize reel performance. Learn how to match your rod, reel, and braid strength to the depth and current. We'll see all of the little choices too and weed through the overwhelming amount of tackle out there to find the right hooks, swivels, and snaps you'll need to make your own rigs.

• The Rigging Roadmap: Learn how to make your own 3-Way and High-Low rig setups with T-knots. We’ll cover precisely why pyramid sinkers have no place on a boat and which lead sinkers you'll need to stock up on. 

• The "Art of the Cut" & Bait Mastery: Learn to prep the "Big Three" baits like a pro. From the "Squid Stopper" technique for clams to using kitchen scissors for perfectly tapering squid strips that flutter rather than spin to how to catch your own spearing.

• Local Knowledge: Most of all, this class is a collection of what works in Long Island Sound. If you are going on the water in your own vessel, on a charter, or in a friend's boat, this class will help you catch more fish!

The Digital Tackle Box: You won't leave empty-handed. Every student receives a comprehensive digital package (over 10 pages) including the Master Slideshow, annotated infographics of LIS structures, links to helpful resources/suppliers/videos, and typed-up gear checklists.

Don’t let the big one get away! Sign up now and learn how to tackle the depths of the Sound with confidence.