Podcast Episode 243: Joe Cermele Talks Fishing Culture, Adventures, and the Stories Behind the Catch
In Episode 243 of the Wild Fish and Game Podcast, we sit down with legendary fishing writer and podcaster Joe Cermele for a laugh-filled, deeply thoughtful look at what makes fishing culture so magnetic. From childhood memories and drift boat disasters to gear confessions and the weirdest fish trivia we could come up with, this episode celebrates fishing not just as a sport, but as a way of life. We even put Joe to the test in a game of Fish Tale or Fish Fail, covering everything from sarcastic fringeheads to catfish skins and carp caught on Barbie rods.
Whether you’re a fly fishing fanatic or a weekend worm-dunker, this episode is for anyone who believes that the best stories don’t always come from the fish you landed, but from everything that happened along the way.
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Meet Joe Cermele: The Guy Behind the Mic, the Pen, and the Pike
Joe Cermele has spent the last two decades shaping the voice of modern fishing media. With a career that spans Field & Stream, Saltwater Sportsman, MeatEater, and now his own wildly popular podcast Cut & Retie, Joe has built a reputation as both a sharp storyteller and a no-BS commentator on fishing culture.
But don’t expect him to flex about trophy catches. Joe’s approach is grounded in humility, humor, and an eye for the everyday weirdness that makes fishing so relatable. “I’ve always been a believer that the fish themselves are such a minor part of a fishing story,” he told us. “When you sit down at a bar and talk about a trip three years later, how much are you talking about what you caught?”
His upbringing around boats, bait shops, and blue-collar angling set the tone early. “My mom’s parents owned a tackle shop in Trenton,” he said. “She used to pack worms in the basement after school. I never stood a chance. Fishing’s been part of me since I could walk.”
Misadventures, Culture, and the Stories That Stick
Throughout the episode, Joe explores why fishing stories resonate, even when they’re full of failure.
He shares a hilarious (and slightly harrowing) tale of a Field & Stream assignment gone wrong, a DIY float trip in Alaska with zero rafting experience and a $3,000 budget. “It was an utter disaster from start to finish,” Joe admitted. “We lost an oar, snapped two fly rods, and ended up just begging the river to spit us out alive. We were trying so hard to stay on budget that we almost died in a free raft.”
But it’s not just calamity for calamity’s sake. Joe’s stories tap into something universal: the idea that failure, imperfection, and the weird in-between moments are what make a fishing trip truly memorable. “Self-deprecation and calamities,” he said. “If you’ve got those, you’ve got the heart of a good story.”
We also dug into what makes fishing culture so unique and how it’s often misunderstood by the wider outdoor community. “There’s too much siloing in fishing,” Joe explained. “The guy on a bridge with a shrimp is just as much a part of this world as the guy with a thousand-dollar fly rod. We’re all doing the same thing, just trying to catch a fish. Let’s all sit at the same bar.”
Snakeheads, Sarcastic Fringeheads, and the Game of Fish Tale or Fish Fail
Of course, we couldn’t bring Joe on without a bit of fun. Our segment Fish Tale or Fish Fail tested Joe and co-host Adam’s knowledge of bizarre fishing trivia, everything from noodle permits in Kansas to dried cod heads in Norway.
Joe’s reaction to one question, “Is there really a fish called the sarcastic fringehead?”, was pure gold. “I covered that on Bent, man! Three years ago, I said, someday this knowledge is going to elevate me.” Sure enough, it did. Joe edged out Adam in the end, taking home well-earned bragging rights.
In another moment, we debated whether poor man’s pâté made from Vienna sausages and catfish skin was a real Ozarks dish. Joe called BS immediately: “The skin was a little too much. Saltines and Vienna sausages, sure, but skin?” His instincts were dead-on. (Although, as we joked later, maybe we should develop that recipe.)
The Role of Food in Fishing, and Why It’s Not Always About the Catch
While Wild Fish and Game often dives deep into wild food culture, Joe offered a refreshingly honest take on his own approach to fishing and eating. “I’m largely a catch-and-release angler,” he said. “I enjoy eating fresh fish, but for me, the food isn’t always the main point. Sometimes I just want to know where the best taco joint is after a day on the water.”
He also touched on the sometimes strange criticism he’s faced: “I’d post a picture of a smallmouth and someone would comment, ‘Did you eat it?’ And I’d be like, no, because I didn’t have to. It’s that simple.”
That said, Joe does love a good fish dinner, especially when it’s something tied to his local waters. “One of my favorites to eat is tautog,” he said. “They’re weird, knobby-headed fish that live in hard structure and eat nothing but mussels and clams. I’ll take a tog fillet over a flounder or perch any day.”
Fishing With Kids, Finding Morels, and Letting Curiosity Lead
Some of the episode’s most heartfelt moments came when Joe talked about fishing with his kids and the joy of passing down the outdoor traditions he grew up with. His daughter, he told us, is more into foraging than fishing these days. “She doesn’t care about the fish,” he said. “She wants all the clams. We’ll go clamming, and I’ll be like, you’ve got to stop. We can’t eat this many clams!”
We also bonded over foraging mishaps, stinging nettle, and the shared excitement of finding your first morels. “For years I thought there were no morels in my area,” Joe said. “Then a buddy showed me the puzzle pieces, certain trees, certain terrain, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Now it’s a thing I do every spring with my daughter.”
Tune In, Cut and Retie, and Keep the Stories Going
If you enjoy fishing stories that are as funny and unpredictable as they are heartfelt, don’t miss this episode. Joe Cermele brings more than two decades of experience, insight, and humanity to the mic, reminding us that fishing is about far more than filling a cooler.
Be sure to subscribe to Joe’s podcast Cut and Retie, where he dives even deeper into the weird, wonderful corners of fishing culture. He also hosts Quick Strike with Outdoor Life, a punchy, tactical podcast for anglers looking to level up their skills. Follow Joe on Instagram @joe.cermele138 for gear confessions, fishing fails, and that perfect mix of chaos and charm.
And as always, hit that five-star button on your podcast app, leave a review, and tell a friend. Whether you fish for food, for fun, or just for the stories, this episode’s for you.