The Patriots might just be the fishiest team in the NFL, and no, I’m not referring to deflated balls, spy cameras, or their easy path to the 2026 Super Bowl. (Disclosure: I’m a Bills fan and a jealous hater.)
But that’s not what I’m talking about here. I mean actual fishing.
From Hall of Fame linebackers to Super Bowl champions, New England has built one of the strongest fishing résumés in the NFL. Perhaps owing to the team’s location in the middle of our world-class New England fisheries, a surprising number of Patriots past and present have kept chasing greatness on the water.
And Now, the Fishiest Patriots Starting Lineup…
Tedy Bruschi: The Captain of the Fishing Roster
If there’s a leader of the Patriots’ fishing crew, it’s Tedy Bruschi. Since retiring, Bruschi has gone all-in. For Bru, it’s not just a casual pastime but a passion that replaced the competition and camaraderie of football. Around New England, Bruschi is now as well known for fishing as he is for Super Bowls.
Randy Moss: “Straight Bass Homie” Energy
Few NFL stars lean into fishing culture like Randy Moss. Moss’s love for fishing predates his Patriots years, but it followed him to New England and beyond. Known in outdoor circles as “Straight Bass Homie,” Moss has been linked publicly to bass fishing for years, and he’s been photographed fishing with Bruschi more than once.
Matt Light: Fishing and Giving Back
Former left tackle Matt Light didn’t wait long to trade pads for waders. Light is a passionate hunter and angler and has tied fishing into his foundation work, introducing kids to fishing and the outdoors.
Vince Wilfork: Big Man, Big Fish
It should surprise no one that Vince Wilfork catches appropriately sized fish. Wilfork has popped up in Boston sports coverage for landing a massive redfish, and he’s fished alongside former teammates at events. Calm, powerful, and quietly dominant—it all tracks.
Ty Warren: Offshore Muscle and a State-Record Mahi
Former defensive lineman Ty Warren owns one of the most legit fishing moments of any NFL player. Fishing with Hairball Charters, Warren was part of a trip that produced a Massachusetts state-record mahi-mahi—a true bull dolphin that would be impressive by any standard, football player or not.
JR Redmond: Early-Era Patriots Fishing Content
Super Bowl–winning running back JR Redmond rounds out the list of Patriots who can be seen online, fishing rod in hand. He appeared in a classic fishing video jigging for striped bass off Martha’s Vineyard.
Lawrence Guy: Fishing as a Mental Reset
Fishing isn’t just a retirement plan. Lawrence Guy has talked about fishing as a real passion off the field, as in the podcast conversation below, which focuses on fishing and life away from football. For a franchise built on routine and discipline, the patience game of fishing fits right in.
Patriots Alumni + Stripers on Cape Cod
The strongest proof this isn’t a coincidence may be the Patriots Alumni Club’s long-running Stars & Stripers Fishing Tournament. Held on Cape Cod, the event pairs former Patriots with anglers for a day of striped bass fishing and fundraising. When a franchise has an alumni tournament built around stripers, it’s fair to say fishing culture runs deep.
Even Coach Belichick Has a Fishing Boat
And yes, even Bill Belichick fits the pattern. Bill’s Grady-White has been featured in local media and has been seen landing bass and blues off Nantucket, only reinforcing the idea that, in New England, fishing is part of the environment.
Is Any Team Fishier Than The Patriots?
I’m sure this list isn’t complete. Did I miss a Patriots player who lives for tight lines? Is there another franchise out there with a stronger fishing culture than New England? Did I write this article only for the opportunity to bring up the Patriots’ easy schedule and playoff black magic on the eve of yet another Super Bowl appearance?
Let me know, because if there’s a team that can out-fish the Patriots, I want to hear about it.
Kevin Blinkoff is the Managing Director and Editor In Chief of On The Water. He’s spent more than 20 years covering striped bass, fisheries science, and the management decisions that shape saltwater fishing in the Northeast. When he’s not editing or corralling the OTW editorial team, he’s usually chasing stripers from a kayak somewhere along the coast.