John Jarvis has had over 12 years experience in the fishing services industry and his passion for learning has made him an adept muskie angler and guide. We reached out to John so that we could get a perspective on the lesser known hidden gem muskie waters in Ontario's Sunset Country. Currently John works out of the great Nordic Point Lodge on Lake Perrault, which is nestled between its big muskie brother lakes, Eagle and Seul. We had such an enlightening talk with John and ...

In this second part of our amazing interview with John Anderson, we pick up where we left off and John goes into even more detail on targeting and tactical strategies. Part 2 will help you land more muskies, plain and simple. In this conclusion of our chat we touch on the following subjects: -John's off-season/summer camps and the ramp-up to the season!-How/why different bodies of water open earlier vs others-Why the Ottawa region is so amazing for muskie/multi species ...

John Anderson is a Canadian Muskie Institution. Despite the fact that he is one of the pioneers of Canadian muskie fishing and one of the best guides out there, and despite that we are lucky enough to share a boat with him from time to time, we are most thrilled in those times we get to hang out and spend time together because John is one heck of a guy. Whether it is shooting the breeze, or digging into muskie 101, chatting with John is a pleasure and in this episode we do both (b...

In this second part of our chat with Johnny Lubera of Lubowski Lures, we get into bait construction and how to up your odds of hooking and landing fish when using single hook baits. This was a very unique discussion and one that will give listeners new options for spinnerbaits, especially fishing heavy cover, weeds, or deeper water. Points of discussion include: Bait selection approaches Singlehooks vs treblesHow to fish a single hook. Boat speed and rod type Bait c...

It has been far too long since we sat with Johnny Lubera, maker of the famed Lubowski Spinnerbaits! Johnny returns and we sat down over some cool, crisp Last Light Lagers at our Brewery in Beamsville to talk fishing and bait making. Johnny runs a clinic on how to target these beasts and select the correct baits during the right times of year. Makes us wonder why we waited so long to reconnect! Topics include: Early season targeting strategiesUnderstanding fish bas...

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 ...

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 lakeWhat makes Eagle Lake fish hit boatside? What influences this?Herbie...

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&n...

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! ...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...