In this Full Moon Friday episode Chris and Frank recap the recent Muskie Odyssey including why the guys changed the recipe for the upcoming Last Light Lager launch in May.  Then John Vinen and Cole Bailey, co-owners of Angling Sports in London, ON call in to talk about some great deals that they are offering anglers looking to gear up for the season, as well as an EPIC giveaway that they are partnering with Ugly Pike and FIshn' Canada on!  It is not long before the discussion turns to fishing and John and Cole quickly illustrate why they are not only great businessmen, but also excellent muskie anglers.  A talk about how downsizing on Lake St Clair is a must during early and mid season fishing, as well as the unexpected muskie behaviour that they have observed on their livescopes, and how that has completely changed their approach to angling for the apex predator!  Visit www.anglingsports.ca  (or in person) and use promo code UGLY15 to receive 15% off of everything in store (offer ends June 30)!

IN this second part of our discussion with Eagle Lake guides Steve and Danny Herbeck, we focus on targeting big fish in one of the best muskie lakes on the planet.  Steve and Danny conclude with sharing some extraordinary stories that speak to the special relationship between a father and son and their times together on the water.  Points of discussion include: 

• Approaching/targeting certain depths on eagle lake
• What makes Eagle Lake fish hit boatside? What influences this?
• Herbies figure 8 technique 
• Live scope ethical use
• Retargeting fish that don't strike
  
  

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 fishery
• Why Steve and Danny think this could be a banner year for muskie fishing 
• Eagle Lake Pike population and its impact on the fishery
• Finding hot zones when fishing is slow on Eagle Lake
• Upper vs lower sections of Eagle Lake and how they differ
• Why 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 itinerary
• Vendor list
• Speakers (including a science panel) 
• The brand new tackle swap event
• Why 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 casting
• Live scopes and soft plastics
• Repairing 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 universe
• How to scale a bait building operation
• Ugly Pike makes a special announcement about beer
• What makes Rover Baits different, how to use them, and how they act
• LSC fishing methods and best baits
• Colour selection in lures
• When to swap a non productive bait and how to troubleshoot or do different things with a bait
• Confidence 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)