Ugly Pike Podcast

Legends are rare in our sport but to get 2 in the same family is even harder to find!  On this episode we have an amazing discussion with Eagle Lake ace guides Steve and Danny Herbeck!  This season looks like it is going to be a great one on Eagle and Steve and Danny explain why and what to do to get your best chance at landing a famous Eagle Lake Giant!  Topics include:The State of the Eagle Lake fisheryWhy Steve and Danny think this could be a banner year for muskie fishing Eagle Lake Pike population and its impact on the fisheryFinding hot zones when fishing is slow on Eagle LakeUpper vs lower sections of Eagle Lake and how they differWhy guides are valuable on eagle

The conclusion of our Live From the Toronto Sportsman's Show series is a whopper!  First off, Maxime Gilbert from Zale Outdoors stops by the booth to talk about Costa Sunglasses to educate us on how to pick the right style of sunglasses with the correct lenses for various types of water bodies and times of day.  Our chat is interrupted by a surprise guest from Chris' past - Taro Murata!  Following that we are joined briefly by Rick Young, Manager of Anderson's Lodge on majestic Lac Seul!  Rick talks about what a dream fishing getaway on one of the best muskie lakes on the planet looks like.  To cap it off, veteran angler and guide Brent Bochek swings by and shows why he is one of the most sought-after speakers in the sport!  

In Part 2 of our series Live from the Toronto Sportsman's Show, Chris and Frank begin the episode by recapping memorable booths and encounters on the show floor.  The guys then take a look forward at the offerings coming this Spring for the new Ugly Pike e-commerce store as well as a look at what the Ugly Pike Podcast will be doing at the 2024 Muskie Odyssey.   Following that, CJ and Hookset from the Eating Wild Podcast stop by the studio to talk about muskies! 

Episode 172 sees Chris and Frank broadcast live from the 2024 Toronto Sportsman's show!  First up, friend of the show Mike Parker drops by to talk about fishing Lake St Clair and what is new and exciting from Handlebarz Lures.  Then Luis "Top Dog" Pereira and Antonio "Smash" Meleca from the Eating Wild Podcast sit down to talk about a variety of topics including, their exciting new line of cooking spices, a review of the 2023 muskie fishing season including adventures on Lake St Clair, Nipissing, and Scugog.  The discussion then focuses on new product launches for Ugly Pike - a new beer product and Ugly Meat grass-fed, hormone/steroid-free beef pepperettes!  

Part 2 in this exciting discussion turns its attention to how the 2024 Muskie Odyssey will be bigger, badder, and a lot more fun!  Ryan and Peter divulge the amazing details for this epic event, including:Odyssey when and where, and event itineraryVendor listSpeakers (including a science panel) The brand new tackle swap eventWhy it's important / beneficial to buy tickets in advance!  

In part 2 of our discussion with Landry Smith, the discussion turns to focus on methods and targeting muskies.  Specifically, Landry puts on a clinic where modifying and repairing baits are concerned and also provides great insights into where and how to target big fish.  Topics include: Deep water targeting Casting methods - Situating or burying hooks into soft plastics for not fouling/getting a perfect land after castingLive scopes and soft plasticsRepairing rubber baits after strikes

In this session we sit down with Landry Smith, the creator of one of the most sought after and difficult to get rubber baits - the Rover Bait.  Landry not only talks about his journey as an accidental muskie enthusiast but also divulges a ton of information on great fishing methods, how to work baits, and how to target big muskies!  Points of interest for this awesome discussion include: Changing rods and introducing different rod features to up your game    Stumbling into the muskie universeHow to scale a bait building operationUgly Pike makes a special announcement about beerWhat makes Rover Baits different, how to use them, and how they actLSC fishing methods and best baitsColour selection in luresWhen to swap a non productive bait and how to troubleshoot or do different things with a baitConfidence and how it works Deep water targeting 

Part 2 in our talk with John Pensyl goes into even more detail.  John's mastery of muskie fishing is on full display as he drills down on past and present methods and how he uses what he has learned, along with new approaches and innovations, to maximize the number of fish he puts in the boat.  A true master class. Points include: How to take full advantage of presentation to catch more fish Putting your bait in the right spot at the right time Merging old methods with new technology (ethically) 

In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with and learn from a truly elite muskie angler - John Pensyl.  As we got into this conversation, it became apparent that John's casual facade underlies not only an incredible amount of time spent on the water but also a relentless level of detail to his approach.  This is an episode that will inspire all anglers to push themselves to the limit in order to get multiple 50+ inches in the boat every season! Topics include: Niagara River/Lake Erie fisheriesPrecision targeting Lifestyle and fishing partners' importance to maximizing time on the water The amazing work and value to anglers that is the Niagara Musky Association

In this Full Moon Friday chat, the boys talk about Frank's recent trip down to the Chicago Musky Expo!  Chris and Frank talk about what was new and exciting at the show and how this event differs from the Muskie Odyssey that Canadian listeners are used to attending.  Following this, Master Butcher Robbie Aggarwal, owner of Norcini & Co. in Niagara Falls joins the discussion as the Ugly Pike Podcast prepares to launch its "Boat Meat" line of products.  High-end, well-sourced and made meat-based protein snacks that every angler needs in their fishing bag!  Robbie runs a master class on how sourcing well-fed and raised meat is key to a healthy diet, and also goes into detail on the different cuts of meat and how to best prepare them!  

In this second part of our chat with ace guide Marlon Prince, we drill down on his region out East.  We talk about the politics of muskie fishing as the popularity of the sport grows and get into which tactics and gear anglers should use when fishing these unique waters for big toothy monsters!  Topics include: The politics of muskie fishing in New Brunswick Baits and tackle used on the Saint John River for optimal results  Fishing with wire line Discussing the great Canadian fisheries Jigging for muskies on the Saint John River How covid restrictions lead to a rediscovery of that regional fishery for many 

In this episode we check in with an amazing guide from a truly unique and amazing fishery - Marlon Prince.  It has been years since we have sat down with Marlon and a lot has changed out East!  Most anglers know what a bounty the eastern waters like the Saint John River is but many are unaware just how round and fat their muskies get. From dodging icebergs on home water, to fishing in tricky river currents, we talked about so many things during this great session!   Points include:How Marlon has been cultivating his careerMarlon's second favourite fish to target / guiding style Breaking down the Eastern region and topography    How and where muskies are located on the Saint John River Why New Brunswick muskies are so fat The ethics of fishing in hot weather / deep water

Episode 162 is the conclusion of our epic discussion with fishing media legend John Gillespie.  This was such an enjoyable session as we picked John's fishing brain about what it takes, and what it is like being an angling media success.  Highlights include:  Sucker fishingQuick strike rigs, and when/how to set the hookProtecting resources and spots while doing a fishing show

Episode 161 was a special one. It is not every week that we get to interview a living legend.  Few people work as hard as John Gillespie does on his show Waters and Woods.  Over the years John has kept up an unthinkable schedule, releasing weekly shows that every angler has watched at one point.  John sits with us and shares his amazing insights on a career as an industry leader.  Topics include:John's start in media with his back against the wall Turning a life passion into incomeThe key to building a successful fishing show Fishing with muskie legends, their differences and similarities

In this episode, Chris recalls his amazing trip to the Serengeti in Tanzania, Africa including a nail-biting encounter with a persistent lion!  Following this, the guys recall notable discussions and valuable insights gained during interviews with some of the best muskie anglers on the planet in 2023!  This was a groundbreaking year for the Ugly Pike Podcast and we sincerely thank the listeners and the team at the Outdoor Journal Radio Podcast Network! 

Episode 159 concludes the second half of our amazing session with the founders of Red October Baits.  2 hours with this awesome crew went by so quickly that we will have to do it again soon!  There was so much knowledge on bait making, angling, and guiding at one table that it was tough to cover everything that we wanted.  Highlights include: Hans' amazing carved works of woodFuture of the Red October Baits product lineThe different species of fish that can be targeted using Red October Baits  

Straight out of Buffalo!  The guys sit with the original founders of the iconic Red October Baits - Marc Arena, Hans Mann, and Josh Ketry.  A bunch of great friends and people got together to chat not only about muskie fishing, but about life improvements in general.  This episode is loaded with amazing discussions about lifestyle, bait making, and of course, hunting muskies!  Points of discussion include:How lifestyle changes by all of the guys at the table resulted in a cumulative  200 lbs of weight lossThe origins of Red October BaitsHow to best rig and work a monster tubeThis season on Buffalo Harbour

In this Full Moon Friday episode, the guys chat about learning hard lessons on the water and turning them into success.  After one of the best seasons yet for Ugly Pike on the water, chatting about how to hang in there and learn was an essential topic.  Points include:- The Introduction of a new show sponsor, Angling Sports in London, ON- Lessons learned from the recent trip to the St. Lawrence River system, keys to success, and how it changes patterning moving forward - The emotional highs and lows - why persisting is essential- Fishing Lake Erie and the difference an elite guide can make on your muskie education  A big thank you to our sponsors! Support the show by supporting them at:EzokoFishing.comAnglingSports.ca

Part 2 of our discussion Live on the St Lawrence River concludes with a robust talk about how the guys planned on adapting their approach to the changing weather.  Points of discussion include: How Fall/Winter season affects muskie behaviour/patterning Adapting strategies for variable winds Livescope/technology discussion Casting in cold weather