What really happens beneath the surface after you send your lure into the water?
In this episode of the EatWild Podcast, I sit down with filmmaker, angler, and underwater storyteller Kai White—grandson of legendary West Coast fishing pioneer Charlie White. Charlie changed the way anglers understood salmon and halibut by capturing some of the first-ever underwater footage of fish reacting to lures. Today, Kai is carrying that legacy forward with stunning underwater cinematography and some of the most educational fishing content being produced in British Columbia.
Through his production company, Wild Bus Films, and his Ocean Guy Kai YouTube channel, Kai reveals what fish are actually doing beneath the surface. We dive into salmon behavior, lure selection, water clarity, baitfish movements, and the subtle details that separate successful anglers from the rest. Along the way, we also discuss the encouraging signs of recovering herring and salmon populations in parts of BC's coast, the evolution of underwater filming technology, and why understanding fish behavior is one of the best ways to become a better angler.
Whether you're a seasoned salmon fisher or just getting started, this conversation will change the way you think about fishing.
With peak salmon season arriving on the West Coast, there's no better time to look beneath the surface.
Kai White is a British Columbia filmmaker, angler, and the creator of Ocean Guy Kai. Through Wild Bus Films, he produces cinematic outdoor films and educational fishing content that helps anglers understand what really happens beneath the water's surface while inspiring stewardship of BC's incredible marine ecosystems.
Follow Kai:
-
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OceanGuyKai
-
Website: https://www.wildbusfilms.com/
00:00 Introduction
01:05 The Ocean Guy Kai Project
02:09 Growing Up with Charlie White
04:07 Historic Salmon Surveys
06:15 Signs of Recovery in BC's Marine Ecosystem
07:37 Why the Salish Sea Is Thriving
09:21 How Fish Sense Their Environment
13:34 The Evolution of Underwater Filming
14:13 What Fish Behavior Reveals
18:34 Why Fish Strike (or Don't)
21:37 Charlie White's Lasting Legacy
28:36 Capturing Underwater Footage Today
33:47 Advice for New Salmon Anglers
40:29 Conservation and Future Adventures
43:12 Working in the Film Industry
45:02 Upcoming Projects
49:37 Where to Follow Kai
This episode is perfect for anglers, conservationists, and anyone fascinated by what happens beneath the surface. If you enjoy the conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's getting ready to hit the water this summer. Tight lines!
You can help me and the podcast by checking out our sponsors and telling them you heard about it on the EatWild Podcast. Thanks!
CWDBC.ca is an initiative by Hunters for BC to help educate Hunters on their role in limiting the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in BC. Visit huntersforbc.ca today to join the conservation circle.
The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for the hunt. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are all packed into it to provide you with the information you need for your next adventure.
Stikine Packrafts are heavy on adventure and light on your back. These versatile rafte are ideal for hunters, foragers and fishers to open up a world of adventures.
