The Muskie Hunks Podcast

E39 - Singing the Musky Blues With Joe Bucher

In this extremely special episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with musky fishing’s grandfather and Hall of Famer, Joe Bucher. Joe tells us some of his history in fishing, filming, guiding, writing, speaking, bait making, and even mentoring. He shares stories of things he has seen change along the way, for both the better and worse. He tells us a little about the early versions of his lures, including how they became popular, and how they were originally made. He gives the guys some advice on how to deal with getting skunked on destination/vacation trips. When our time unfortunately comes to a close, Joe leaves us with a guitar riff and some invaluable advice regarding both fishing and life. A huge thank you goes out to our previous guest, Tyler Andrews, for making this unforgettable evening possible.

E38 - Off the Rails With Banging Bottom Outfitters

Pull up a chair to this three-hour sideshow as we get to know the guys of Banging Bottom Outfitters. BBO, out of Western PA, guides primarily on Pymatuning, and consists of Doug Vanasco, Jesse Barnhart, Joel Morrow, and Brian Luffey. The eight of us talk about how the guys got their start, and of course how they got the name. We talk a little bit about what they believe in as far as their day-to-day mentality, and some useful tips for anglers who may be struggling or just feeling the pressure of musky fishing. After a few drinks, things go completely off the rails, and Doug decides to give away his secret spots and interview us. Joel debunks rumors of his famous "musky call" and talks about his preferred choice of footwear. Jesse ruins the perfect streak. Luffey talks a little about something he has, and something we've discussed in the past: pontoons for musky trolling. Donnie gives Doug COVID.

E37 - Brian Skaife and Angling Anarchy

In this episode, we welcome a name that anyone with the internet and a musky rod knows: Brian Skaife, or as you may know him, Angling Anarchy. We also welcome another honorary hunk as a sit-in cohost: Nate Budziszewski. With so many videos on so many topics, it's hard to cover anything that Brian hasn't; but, we do our best to keep it fresh while discussing his history in fishing, filming, and some advice for both. Brian talks about some common misconceptions of Youtube, some upcoming and past fishing trips, and we already start dreaming about show season. Brian gets invited to Hunks Weekend. 

E36 - Blinded by the Light with Tyler Andrews

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Andrews (FKA "The Musky Guru"). Tyler tells us a little bit about how he got into fishing as a kid, and how that eventually led to his obsession with the musky. We talk about his relationship with some of the godfathers of musky fishing, some stories from spending time in the boat with them, and some fun facts we never knew. We eventually talk about how he ended up both on a t-shirt and in a video game. Tyler gives some advice about how to maximize your time as a weekend warrior, and how to ethically and effectively scare away crackheads from launch ramps while night fishing. Donnie catches COVID.

E35 - Dave in Minnesota

In this week's episode, we welcome Dave (in Minnesota), a name you've probably heard before if you listen. Dave (originally from PA, but now in Minnesota) is a longtime friend of Donnie (in Pennsylvania), and arguably the reason Donnie (in Pennsylvania) started chasing musky (in Pennsylvania, and Minnesota). Dave (in Minnesota) sits in as a guest co-host as we tell fish tales. Dave (in Minnesota) talks a little about his past (in Pennsylvania, and Minnesota) and schools us on how he breaks down new water as an amateur musky fisherman with resources available to most anglers (everywhere). Towards the end, we even hear a few fish stories from his two young sons' points of view (also in Minnesota). Owen invites Dave (from Minnesota) to Hunks Weekend (in Pennsylvania).

E34 - Caught in a GLITCH with Mike Conklyn and Conklyn Lures

In this episode , we talk with Mike Conklyn , owner of Conklyn Lures and creator of the Glitch, a hybrid glider and twitch bait. Mike created a very versatile musky lure that is a quality product at a very cost friendly price point. We talk to Mike about where he started musky fishing up in Wisconsin, how he started bait making, Mike tells a few stories and we sit around and BS about Muskies. Mike is a great dude and we were pumped to have him on! Check out Conklyn Lures!

https://www.facebook.com/ConklynLures

E33 - To Scope or Not to Scope

In this episode, we re-welcome a past guest, Alex McLean, an avid musky fisherman from Minnesota. Alex is also one of the new organizers of the annual Musky Battle. While we admittedly lack any extensive live imaging experience, Alex is passionate about this topic, and he comes on to share some of his thoughts. We talk about this very polarizing debate, Alex's season, some Minnesota trip tips, and more. Nick opens an invite to the general public to crash at his new place in Georgian Bay (tell a friend to tell a friend).

E32 - Rock the Boat, Don’t Tip the Boat Over

In this episode, we take a week off from interviewing guests to discuss some of our many recent stories on the water- some fishing, and some not. We talk about some successes, failures, and everything in between. We talk about some beginner trolling terminal gear, rod holders, and some baits that have brought us good results in the recent weeks. Donnie is on the road trying to catch a St. Lawrence 60. Ryan (almost) loses his idol's favorite fishing rod. Tom is convinced he has trolling all figured out. Nick believes in the Believer. Owen retires from skateboarding.

E31 - Ryan Elizondo, El Cazador de Tigres

In this episode, we talk to Ryan Elizondo, a tiger musky fisherman who lives in the Pacific Northwest. Ryan eats, sleeps, and breathes tigers- and his passion has led to quite a few fish that most musky anglers would only ever dream of. Ryan sets the scene by telling us a little about his home waters. We try to debunk some common rumors about these rare fish, the fisheries, and the tactics. We compare and contrast hybrids versus pures. Eventually, as usual, we derail completely into a conversation about lures, life, and musky fishing in general.

E30 - A Quick Chat and Some Big News with Gregg Thomas

In this week's short but sweet special episode, we have a quick talk with a man whose name probably rings a bell to any and all musky fisherman (and cockfighters) - Gregg Thomas. Gregg is a writer, speaker, guide, lure creator, brand owner, show organizer, content creator, photographer, and current owner of Musky Hunter Magazine. Gregg comes on for a special announcement, but we also take some time to discuss a little bit of his history in the musky world. We start with a talk about what it's like fishing the PMTT for so many consecutive years, and eventually work into the history of the Dyin' Dawg and Musky Hunter. We talk about guiding, Gregg's bait and photo tinkering, and eventually lead into the future plans for Musky Hunter Magazine.

E29 - 54 or Bust with Glenn McDonald

In this episode, we talk to Glenn McDonald, aka 54 or Bust, who is an avid musky fisherman, content creator, writer, and educator who lives right in the heart of Ontario’s Sunset country. We talk to Glenn about how he started and where he’s heading with both his musky fishing and his YouTube channel. We talk about what it’s like to juggle a full-time job with a burning passion for muskies while also navigating social media’s complicated landscape.  We talk about the industry changing, tips for beginners coming to Canada, and the right way (and wrong way) to go about getting sponsors.

E28 - Flying High With Scott Grassi

In this episode, we chat with Scott Grassi from Keystone Anglers Guide Service about broadening our musky horizons. Scott is a seasoned multispecies fly fisherman, who somewhat recently added musky fly fishing to his résumé. We talk with Scott about beginner fly setups, what it’s like to guide novice fly fisherman for such a difficult species, and what advantages (and disadvantages) fly fishing may have over gear. Once again, we end with a discussion of why all of us fisherman, whether dirty gear fisherman or purist fly slappers, should just get along.

E27 - Joe Cermele: Fisherman, Creative Genius and Stalking Victim

In this episode, we have the privilege of spending a few hours with one of the truly great creative fishing minds (and voices) of our generation, Joe Cermele. We have an unforgettable chat with Joe about some of his work, as well as his influential past, present, and plans for the future in the fishing industry. We talk about his rivalry with the musky, and he proposes a few often-heated esox debates. Most importantly, Joe explains why all of us fishermen - no matter the species or method - should just get along, dude. Nick welcomes home the second baby Hunk of 2022. Ryan finds out that he bought bootleg Joe C. goods at the bargain outlet. Joe quits smoking, and Donnie might start. Things get weird and Tom scares Joe away from ever coming to the annual Hunks Weekend at Owen's musky camp.

E26 - Stumped on Electronics

In this episode, we ask (and attempt to answer) some questions geared towards beginner electronics. We jump around between some of the popular types of units used by modern day musky anglers. We welcome a new baby Hunk, Owen tells a topsy-turvy tale from the toon, Ryan fat shames himself, and we find ourselves in the midst of yet another phantom fart mystery.

E25 - Musky Battle Takeover

In this week's episode, we hand the ropes off to some of the old and some of the new minds behind the annual Musky Battle. Jeff Contreras (back by popular demand) is joined by Ben Stone, Alex McLean, and Joseph Biebert to talk about their plan for this year's various stages of the Battle. We talk about some changes, challenges, pros, cons, stories , and what to expect. As usual when Jeff is around, we close out by going down a rabbit hole about life.

E24 - Melting Down With Mike Nabulsi

In this episode, we have a hilarious, insightful, and all-around enjoyable chat with Mike Nabulsi of Water Wolf and Bass Magnet Lures. We start the night in shambles, and once back on track, we talk about Mike's storied history in the world of making stuff swim. Mike schools us on things we never before thought about in the realm of rubber, we beg him to come to a US musky expo, and Owen professes his love to another one of his many man crushes.

E23 - Fish Tale Fridays

In this first installment of “Fish Tale Fridays”, we tell stories about a recent weekend excursion where the hunks (almost) had a perfect sweep at various bodies of water across the state of PA. Find some of the events on video on the new Muskie Hunks YouTube channel, also found at linktree.com/MuskieHunks

E22 - Vance “Boomer” Kaloz, pro-guide, bait maker, podcaster, and all-around muskie renaissance man

This week, the hunks host none other than Vance “Boomer” Kaloz, pro-guide, bait maker, podcaster, and all-around Muskie Renaissance Man.  We talk about his progression through fishing to where he ultimately ended up fishing the PMTT, winning various awards, and guiding full-time. We discuss all things musky…and all things not. We take another stab at a speed round, and the podcast quickly divulges into a Kennywood conspiracy theory episode. #TheMuskieHunks #ALLDAY

E21 - New York Expo Recap, spring fish talk and the guys discuss a “fishy” feeling

In this episode, we recap our weekends at the first-ever NY Musky Expo as both vendors and buyers. We talk highs, lows, our hauls, seminars, and everything in between. Following expo talk, we derail into an interesting chat about some recent spring fishing and positive musky mindset. 

E20 - Nicholas Colangelo - Colangelo’s Bakery and Musky Fishing

In this week's episode, we go way over our typical 2 hours talking to one of the more well-known names in Pittsburgh musky fishing. Nicholas Colangelo. We talk all things Esox in this three-hour musky extravaganza. We discuss boats, rods, lures, tinkering, ice fishing, Pittsburgh eats, and everything in between. Nick tells stories, we whiff at the concept of a speed round, and Tom's microphone craps the bed on the night he has been waiting for his whole life. 

#themuskiehunks

#colangelosbakery

Colangelo's Bakery: https://colangelopgh.com/