Former Major League Baseball pitcher Mike Remlinger shares how joining My Fishing Cape Cod helped transform him from a freshwater angler into a successful surf fisherman.
In today's podcast and blog post, we get to know former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher, and current My Fishing Cape Cod Member, Mike Remlinger.
After 20 years in professional baseball including 15 seasons in the big leagues, the Plymouth, MA native shares his fishing journey and how joining MFCC helped transform him from a freshwater angler into a dedicated salt water surf casting enthusiast.
20 Aug 2000: Pitcher Mike Remlinger #37 of the Atlanta Braves pulls back to pitch during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco, California. The Braves defeated the Giants 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
Mike is an active contributor inside our members' forum on My Fishing Cape Cod. In this photo, he's showing one of many late fall-run stripers that himself and fellow members caught from the Outer Cape Beaches. Pictured left is MFCC member Jean Lapienne.
We cover a lot in today's podcast and post!
You can click here start listening, or scroll down to access a table of contents and written version summarizing our conversation (with photos and links to additional resources) of everything we cover.
From Fresh Water to Salt Water
Growing up in the quiet village of Manomet, part of the town of Plymouth, Remlinger's early fishing experiences were exclusively in fresh water.
"I had a pond 200 yards from the house that had great largemouth in it," he recalls.
Despite living near the coast, striped bass fishing wasn't part of his childhood repertoire. The closest he got to saltwater fishing was catching mackerel off the Plymouth docks.
During his professional baseball career, Remlinger kept his passion for fishing alive by seeking out fishing spots in various cities where he played.
"That was my way of keeping myself sane when maybe baseball wasn't always going so great," he explains. "I could always go out on the water and kind of find myself."
MFCC Member, Mike Remlinger enjoys surfcasting and "losing himself out on the water". Since joining MFCC and becoming a more accomplished salt water angler, Mike has landed a variety of large striped bass such as the one pictured above!
Discovering MFCC and Surf Fishing
After retiring from baseball, Remlinger returned to his hometown of Plymouth and was eager to explore the world of surf fishing. A lifelong friend and MFCC member, Rick Peck, recommended joining the community as a valuable resource for learning about surf fishing spots and techniques.
Mike enjoys surfcasting the Cape Cod Canal as well as the many beaches around Cape Cod & The Islands. The MFCC Forum has proven to be extremely helpful to Mike after moving back to the area following his baseball career.
"I have become an absolute surf casting nut," Remlinger enthuses. "I love something about being on the beach, especially when you can find a little more private stretch, trying to learn how to read the water more."
Whether is a desolate Cape Cod Beach, the Cape Cod Canal, or out in a boat with friends, Mike finds peace and enjoyment!
Personal Best and Growing Success
True to his professional athletic background, Remlinger approached surf fishing with dedication and a competitive spirit. During 2024 he found consistent success by adapting his strategy and focusing on nighttime fishing.
His breakthrough moment came during an unforgettable evening on a Plymouth beach. Armed with soft plastic lures, Remlinger found himself in the middle of an epic bite.
"The fish were just nonstop for a good hour, two hours at least," he recalls. "Really big fish. The small fish that night were 35 inches probably and we easily had a couple dozen fish apiece."
Among these trophy-sized stripers, Remlinger hooked into something special - a 43-inch bass that would become his personal best from the surf. The success wasn't just luck; it was the culmination of carefully studying information in the MFCC forum, learning to read water conditions, and putting in countless hours on the beach.
After initially targeting striped bass from the beach, Mike has expanded his horizons. He now also targets funny fish such as the false albacore pictured above. Mike has also ventured off shore for blue fin tuna.
His approach to improving his catch rate has been methodical. Starting with basic surf casting gear (which he admits was initially inadequate for the task), he gradually upgraded his equipment and expanded his knowledge. Working at Red Top Sporting Goods has given him access to expert advice and the latest tackle, while MFCC's resources helped him identify productive spots and techniques.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Remlinger has set his sights on an even larger personal best. He's particularly focused on mastering different lure presentations, with specialized techniques for various conditions. His arsenal now includes everything from 12-inch sluggos for summer nights to metal lures for the fall run, demonstrating the evolution of his new surf fishing obsession.
Expanding Horizons
Beyond striped bass, Remlinger has begun exploring other species and fishing opportunities around Cape Cod. He landed his first bonito this year and caught a 150-pound bluefin tuna on spinning gear. His next ambitious goal? Catching a tuna from the shore.
Mike Remlinger was part of a crew that successfully landed a 150-pound blue fin tuna this season. Despite his initial experience only being fresh water fishing, Mike has continued to evolve into an extremely accomplished salt water angler.
Mike also wants to continue to expand in his role at Red Top Sporting Goods. He finds it rewarding not only meeting the customers at Red Top, but helping them get outfitted to reach their own lofty expectations. Through his own experiences and the expertise he's gained as part of the MFCC community, Mike hopes to assist more folks achieve their fishing goals in 2025.
Closing Thoughts
For Mike Remlinger, MFCC's greatest strength lies in its community of sharing anglers.
"It's not a group where everyone's just trying to get something for themselves," Mike notes. "Everyone I've reached out to has reached out right back out and said, 'Hey, try this or do this,' and more than willing to help or even potentially offer to fish together."
Through the combination of MFCC's resources, community support, and his own dedication, Mike Remlinger has successfully transitioned from a freshwater fisherman to an accomplished surf caster. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to explore new fishing adventures on Cape Cod and the surrounding waters.
Mike, it is great having you onboard as a member.
Tight lines! 