Ugly Pike Podcast

In this second part with JP Bushey, the talk turns technical.  How to properly use baits, especially rubber baits dominates the discussion.  JP gives a huge amount of details in this section. As Chris calls it, a true pen and paper session so prepare to take notes and to emerge from this second part a wiser angler.  What a session!! Points of discussion include:Auto chart  - the game changerOvercoming rock snot challengesOptimal use of rubber baitsControlled retrieves vs erratic baits Best methods for using tubesHow to properly pair rods and reels with the correct baits 

Episode 245 is live!!  We usually don't like to approach guides during the season for the show, but we absolutely had to get JP Bushey back on the show.  JP is one of the best multispecies guides on Georgian Bay and a top muskie angler in the community.  In this first part, we get into the fabric of the Canadian Angler, a gritty talk about who we are and what makes us different.  JP then gives a long opinion on forward facing sonar and angling.  It is an excellent discussion, one of our very best! Topics include:Fishing and Canadian cultureBeing built different as anglersForward facing sonar

In the final chapter of the Live from Lac Seul series, Chris and Frank sit with their guides and discuss the wonder of Lac Seul, what it is like working in such a paradise guiding people on their trips of a lifetime! 

In this third part of the Live from Lac Seul series, Chris and Frank are joined by guide Zack Tucker who broke the days long slump and helped the guys get the job done!  After days of relentless grind, the guys were all elated to get one in the bag.  In this part they talk about how they got the job done

In this second part, the guys carry on with their chat with guide Joe Marsh to discuss the challenges they faced in the early days of their trip and how to best approach the pitfalls of navigating a challenging lake like Lac Seul

Taking a trip of a lifetime to one of Canada's best angling lakes should be fun and easy, but not for muskie anglers.  In this first session of our series live from Moosehorn Lodge on the legendary Lac Seul, the guys go over the challenges that a cold front brought to their first days on the water.  Chris and Frank sit with guide Joe Marsh and review how the first days of the adventure went, and what will be done to change the approach and find success!  

In the conclusion of the guys' chat with The Musky Hunter Jim Saric, changing and adopting new tactics for hunting muskies are discussed.  Jim also lends some knowledge on how to deal with lethargic or picky fish and how to make them take the bait!  Points of discussion include:  Changing and adopting new habitsUsing Livescope to scout water and understand muskiesEnticing fish to strike 

The Musky Hunter himself, Jim Saric calls into the show for a 4th of July Muskie extravaganza!  It is always a thrill to spend time with Jim and in typical fashion, he drops a ton of muskie knowledge!  Tons of practical tips as it relates to locations and methods are found in this episode.  Topics include:  Early fishing in Ontario USA early year fishing USA stocking  operations Upping the catching odds - planning the dayBite windows

In this second episode with kayak muskie hunter Dan Joseph, the guys get into it.  The discussion shifts toward how to catch and land monsters and what that feeling is like as you handle a giant, boatside and without a net!  The episode concludes with a pulse-pounding story of weather turning ugly on big water, while fishing in a small kayak!  Points of discussion include:  How to land a muskie in a kayak  Customizing your kayak: The essentialsHow different baits influence how the angler controls the kayakTrolling in a kayak Fighting and landing monsters in a kayak 

In this episode, Chris and Frank reveal big plans for their Summer fishing adventure including the location and the lodge.  After that they welcome Dan Joseph onto the show.  Dan got the guys' attention during a recent discussion with Matt Toth who talked about Dan landing fish as big as 55 inches from a kayak.  This episode is a cool look into the world of apex predator kayak fishing!  Highlights include: The guys announce their summer trip to NWO Why fish in a kayak?Importance of Controlling the kayak What makes a kayak safe Lone wolf fishing vs fishing with friends 

In this Full Moon Friday episode, Chris and Frank analyze the many great Ontario Muskie fisheries in order to hone in on the best option for their Summer trip.  The guys also discuss early Ontario season opener and how the first adventure of the season went, with lessons learned!  

In this second part of our discussion with Winnipeg River guide Austin Sandstrom, the discussion turns toward the approaches and methods for finding big fish in this water system.  Austin goes into how to adapt to the different types of waterways and what his choices for baits are, before finishing with a couple of great stories of his time spent on these waters, practically all by himself, chasing monsters.  Points include: Guiding first-time muskie anglersAdjusting tactics for different types of fish Bait selection on the Winnipeg River 

It took over 200 episodes, but the guys finally found an excellent guide on the Winnipeg River to talk about this lesser-known, lesser-fished body of water.  Chris and Frank sat with guide Austin Sandstrom, who guides out of multiple outfits on this secluded and amazing body of water.  Austin describes what it is like to hunt for muskies on some of the most beautiful and remote lakes and rivers in Ontario.  In this episode, they discuss:Blind guiding as a new guide using no electronics Guiding by instinct The Winnipeg River systemFishing in various water types and dealing with water level fluctuation  

In the conclusion of our episode with Nate Andrychuk, we dive deep into how to approach the great waters of Northwestern Ontario.  Baits and tactics are the focus, as well as how to target the mega monsters that very few anglers are lucky enough to ever see.  The elusive 60 inchers!! Points include:Different bait approaches to the different NWO lakesTopwater fishing and bait tuningWater bodies like reservoirs and changing water levels Breaking down waterways and finding an approach to successHunting a sixty-inch behemoth

It has been a few years since we have talked with Nate, and since he is one of the most prolific guides on Lac Seul, we needed to have him back.  In this second interview with Nate, he completely outdoes himself and gives us a good understanding as to why there are muskie guides, and then there are exceptional muskie guides.  In this part 1, we discuss:Nate's guiding groundsHow a guide team instills confidence in anglersMuskie fishing gear breakdownRod length/style importance 

In this second part of our discussion with Linda Rice, we focus on her unique fishing strategies for Lac Seul.  Linda has a method that is truly like no other!  Linda also talks about giants she has seen in the lake before giving two of the very best stories the show has ever heard.  Points include:Fishing mainly with topwater baitsWhen to use certain colours for lures Big Vermilion Lake Lac Seul Giants  

In this episode, the guys chat with the one and only Muskie Mama, Linda Rice! Linda is the owner of the Moosehorn Lodge on majestic Lac Seul.  Linda is well known in Northern Ontario for her passion for the sport and for the excellent service that her lodge provides.  In this first part of our discussion, we touch on the following topics:Linda's life on lac SeulOpening Moosehorn Lodge Keys to success for the lodge The majesty of Lac Seul wildlife

In this Full Moon Friday episode, the guys discuss Chris' recent surgery and (another) brush with death (not lion related), as well as extracting and analyzing the best fishing tips from recent episodes before taking a call from Matt Toth, organizer of the Kayak Musky Challenge, a tournament that spans the Canadian Muskie waters and runs all season long!  In addition to talking about this event, Matt gives some very cool insights as to what it is like landing a monster muskie from a kayak, inches away from the angler's toes!  

In this second part of our discussion with Davin Heinbuck, Davin gives yet another master class on reading environmental conditions in order to ascertain the very best times to be on the water.  We then get into a unique discussion about the psyche of an angler and how intuition plays a role in everything that we do. This part of the discussion was unexpected, but it really made an impact.  Points of discussion include: Making sense of lunar cycles aka 'lunar lunacy'Maturing as an angler and fishing smarterFishing times of day / light cycles Anglers instinct 

Davin Heinbuck returns to the show to follow up on what is often referred to as one of the mega episodes in this show's history.  Davin's level of detail and scientific approach to muskie hunting is truly unique, and in this second interview, he completely outdoes himself.  In this first part, Davin provides amazing insights on the following topics:Research effort updateFish movement patternsTrip planning using weather patterns 'hindcasting'How pre-season conditions affect the season Weather fronts - How to fish them