This week the MOT crew gets together to chat with MN guide and bait maker Mike Kramer. We discuss the early days of bait making and how the revolution blades came about along with the ever so popular woodtick. We also have a discussion on more hay day of MN musky fishing back in the early to late 2000's. There's lots of great stories in here so you don't want to miss out!

The MOT crew also talks about local reports of current conditions, a recent BIG catch and some fresh news in the fishing industry. This is another jam packed pod with lots of great info so kick back and tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

"My back's broke.... spinal" - Brian, probably

This week we feature our most recent guests back because they just took home the dub at the PMTT Late Summer Showdown on Lake Minnetonka!!!! Congrats to Clayton Spiess and Nick Amorose for bring home the big check by boating 3 beautiful muskies on Tonka. We discuss the entire story behind how Clayton and Nick got it done from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs. You won't want to miss this one!

The MOT crew then chops it up on the experience Gus and Max had at Tonka and how they managed to capitalize on some bites to secure another top 5 finish in a PMTT qualifier. This long format podcast is jam packed with stories, catches, tips, tactics, pre fishing talk, and tourney fishing strategy of everything that went right and wrong. We hope everyone enjoys this one and have a great Labor Day weekend!!!

Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Clayton Spiess - Thistle Dew Outdoor Adventures

Nick Amorose - Hammer Customs lures

"In the ghetto, in the ghettoooooo" - Cartman

This week the MOT crew talks with Jody Marler from Fishcamp Creative. Jody is extremely passionate about the outdoors whether it's musky fishing, hunting, or building custom log homes & cabinetry. He's well traveled and brings us many great stories of all the places he's been chasing these toothy critters. From his original roots of going to northern Wisconsin and the UP to the giant muskies that roam the big waters of Minnesota and Canada. Fishcamp YouTube channel is where you will find all of this incredible work talked abut in this weeks pod. Don't want to miss this one so tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

https://www.fishcampcreative.com/

Where's the muskie, Lebowski?

This week the fellas get on their buddy from Madison, Will Zeichert, to chat about Madison Chain musky fishing. Will and his tournament partner Aaron took home a 6th place finish at the 2024 Madison PMTT event earlier in June. We talk about what they did get get their fish during some less than ideal conditions. Be sure to give a follow to Will's Instagram account @second_win_willy to see some big fish pictures and chat more on Mad town muskies!

Gus gives his report on the northwoods bite during this crazy weather changing month. This June isn't handing out any freebies and needing to grind extra for each and every bite. Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

This week Gus and Max breakdown everything that went down on the Madison chain from the first day of pre fishing right to the very end of Sunday. This one isn't filled with sunshine and rainbows but we hope you can still learn with us and have some takeaways. On the other hand, northwoods fishing once Gus got back up north has been outstanding providing many bites each day. Weather has been shifty so be sure to play your cards right because those bite windows close as fast as they open still with the relatively cold water surface temps for mid June. Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

This week it's just Gus and Max with a quick hitter on an early June update on how the bite has been since opener plus preview of Madison PMTT this weekend. Gus discusses current conditions like water temps, weed growth, where the muskies are, baits that have been working and then what this weather will do for the weekend. Goodluck to those in the Madison PMTT qualifier, Spring Classic in Eagle River, or just out chasing these phantoms on their own! Tap in!

This week the MOT crew gets together with their good friend Jack and chat about Northern Wisconsin musky opener 2024. Lots of highs this low but we touch on the lows as well. The entire gameplan and step-by-step walkthrough of how we got it done is all in this pod so don't skip out!

After the recap you will find another segment dedicated to talking about the MN musky opener this weekend with reoccurring guest Alex Mclean along with his good friend and boat partner Tyler Schlabsz. These are two insanely good sticks in MN and bring some serious knowledge to the table. We discuss opener strategies, insane big fish stories, baits, night fishing, etc.. These guys always have a finger on the pulse of what the bite will be in MN so tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Northern WI musky opener is upon us! We gathered two guests this week to talk about the other ends of the state that are opening for muskies: GB and Hayward/NW Wisconsin. Phil Stodola of the GB area joins us for the first time and gives the run down on temps and where the muskies should be for the bay itself and the tributaries. If you're fishing GB you won't want to miss this part! Phil also guides for Angler Sportfishing and has a YouTube/Facebook with the ever so popular "Pond Bait Demos" that you don't want to miss!

Next up we have Michael Hanson on to talk about the northwestern section of Wisconsin and what those anglers should be looking for this weekend. Michael gives up some juicy tips on crankbaits and gliders that are sure to put more muskies in your net all parts of the year.

Lastly, by now you have for sure realized one member was missing... Max's first pod missed! Oofda. That's okay. Gus and Brian held down the fort and chopped it up about their own tactics and thoughts on opener for more of the Eagle River/Minocqua area this weekend. Nuggets are dropped all throughout this one so be sure to tune in on your way up north and tap in!

Goodluck to everyone on the water and we wish you a successful season!

We hope you enjoy the Caddyshack cold open referring to Phil's pond bait demos!

https://sugsfishing.com/

On this week of Muskies On Tap we bring to you a local legend and guide Todd "Tadpole" Powell. Todd grew up in Eagle River, WI and cut his teeth guiding at a very young age. Fishing has been a huge part of his life and he shares some of his fondest memories. Todd's stories are second to none so you don't want to miss out on this one! He also runs a local shop called Tadpole's Sports in downtown Eagle River. We also take a look at old school vs. new school techniques along with advancements in electronics. We at MOT enjoyed this one and hope y'all do as well. Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Tadpole... a master he is... listen you will... force is strong with this one

This week we have Austin Wiggerman on to take us to school on some pre, during, and post spawn muskies. He has been on the water keeping tabs on these northern Illinois muskies since ice off and soon southern Wisconsin muskies. The tips he gives span from fish movements, staging locations before & after the spawn, and incredibly useful lure techniques to trigger more fish. Meanwhile, the MOT crew came off a difficult southern opener and break down the conditions faced on the mighty Wisco river. Stick around after our recap in the beginning of the pod because you do not want to miss Austin's segment! Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

The start of the PMTT season has begun. Join us this week on a full rundown of how Gus and Max squeaked out a top 10 finish for the first leg of the PMTT at Cave Run Lake down in Kentucky. Lot's of ups and downs during pre fishing through the end of the tourney so join in to hear how it all went down. The fellas also talk a quick preview on heading to Southern Wisconsin to chase muskies during the opener south of highway 10. Goodluck to all of the anglers headed out on the water this weekend and have fun! Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

This week we sit down in person with two other PMTT trail teams; Clayton Spiess/Nice Amorose and Jeremy and Trevor Barber to preview the upcoming PMTT event at Cave Run, KY. We touch on past tournaments, lessons learned, and some fun tournament stories. We are even joined by special guest Gregg Thomas who gives us an update on water conditions heading into the tournament. Tap in for this mega pod and as always, thanks for listening!

https://sugsfishing.com/

The MOT crew hops on to chop it up about a stellar weekend of musky fishing together in the northwoods. Combo of pre August full super moon + great weather systems rolling through made for action packed fishing. All the details are spilled out in this one as well as talking through Tonka PMTT and the recent National Championship Musky Open held in Eagle River. Special guest appearances from Clayton & Nick so grab a cold one and tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

This week it's the 3 original MOT crew members chopping it up with some Q&A that the listeners sent in from Instagram. This one is entirely off the cuff, and if you can get through the first 10 minutes or so there's some good fishing tips mixed with a lot of fun questions. Next week will be a MEGA pod on all things PMTT with the upcoming Cave Run being the highlight. We will be joined by 2 other trail teams: the Barber father/son duo Jeremy & Trevor and team Clayton Spiess & Nick Amorose. Tap in!

Hope you enjoy this weeks intro quote... Celebrity Jeopardy! and all jokes aside from the quote punchline, I love my job! The SNL segment was just too fitting for this weeks pod featuring the fellas just buzzing back and forth on the Q&A. New intro quotes each and every week!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Taylor, from Musky Guarantee Guide Service, was kind enough to hop on with us and chat Wisconsin northwoods fishing. Taylor talks about his ascension to guiding, multiple fish days, lures, colors, best time to catch a northwoods giant and more. Stick around as we announce the March Madness bracket challenge winner. We had a blast chatting with Taylor and we want to thank everyone who participated in our March Madness group. Tap in!

This week we are joined by David Dykowski from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to talk muskies. David is an avid fisherman of many species but especially has a magnet for huge muskies and pike. We talk about some of his go to patterns to catch these phantom beasts along with some really cool fishing stories he has to offer. He's a wealth of knowledge so get the notepad ready! Also be sure to listen in as Gus talks about his short trip down to Iowa for the first musky trip of the year. Tap in!

Hope you enjoy the Caddyshack quote to start off this weeks episode!

https://sugsfishing.com/

This week we bring to you a re-run episode of an early guest we had on in our first year of the podcast. Jeff Widmann, owner of Team Rhino Outdoors, shares the story on what it took to take a few cool custom colored baits and turn it into what TRO is today. He also is a very avid musky angler and shares some great stories and tips to put more muskies in the boat. Tap in!

We threw it back this week to an old fashion Muskies On Tap episode with just the fellas chopping it up about the Wisconsin Musky expo last weekend in Wausau (Rothschild), WI. Lot of hot takes this week that you won't want to miss regarding baits we love and maybe not so much. We kept the episode rolling with some q&a towards the end regarding reading water and crazy stories. We hope you have fun listening to this one because we had a great time recording it. Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

On this weeks episode we welcome Kyle Hunsader, Green Bay local, w/ Hunseytails and Nick Amorose, Northern WI, w/ Hammer Customs to talk about their baits that you can find at the Wisconsin Musky Expo this weekend (March 15-17)! Kyle makes a series of bucktails called "Bangers" that puts a unique twist to modern bucktails and comes in various sizes. Nick hand carves a various array of wooden baits like gliders, twitch baits, dive-n-rise, and trolling crankbaits. This will be a first expo debut for both bait builders so let's give them a warm welcome! The booth will be under the name "Hunseytails" and Gus will also be joining Kyle and Nick in the booth with some MOT gear. This pod has some more Green Bay info along with the bait talk so you won't want to miss this one! Tap in!

Wisconsin Musky Expo - Rothschild, WI @Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center - March 15-17

https://sugsfishing.com/

http://www.wimuskyexpo.com/

This week we are joined with special guest Rich Reinert, a legend of all things musky fishing. Listen along as we dive into more than just the upcoming Wisconsin Musky Expo in Wausau March 15-17th. Rich covers some old school fishing stories involving Tony Rizzo, topwater tricks, sleeper baits, the musky industry, where the musky world is at today and many more. You won't want to miss this one so tap in!

This week Matt and Jozef from Taps and Tackle Co joined us from their bait shop bar in Stevens Point, WI. We had a great conversation regarding a lot of different aspects of the musky world, from owning a business, being a guide, to chasing river muskies. Tap in this week!

https://tapsandtackleco.com/

https://sugsfishing.com/

We put a bookmark on the q&a questions for now as we spotlight the Taps and Tackle crew this week. Questions will be answered in a later podcast. Sorry for the delay!

This week we got the privilege to chat with Bryan Schaeffer about all things musky. Bryan has had quite the career as a guide, tournament angler, and seen regularly on Keyes Outdoors. We cover certain times of his guiding career, ffs, tournament fishing, traveling/filming, and much more. Long one this week, but we think you'll enjoy it. Kick back and tap in!

Hope you enjoy Bob the Garbage Man's wise words for this weeks cold opening quote! A classic

Brady Martz with BAM BAM Bait Co and Brett Wingfield with WF Custom Lures hop on with the fellas to discuss their bait making careers and gave us the full run down on Brady's new "Bowfin" rubber bait. We chat about the origin of their baits, how these two got linked up, and plenty more. These two are making some incredible baits and you won't want to miss this episode! Tap in!

The fellas are all up in the northwoods together to kick off a good ole fashion musky hunt. We talk about current conditions and how the bites been. Our candle lit interview this week with Gregg Thomas covered a variety of topics from his season in Canada to the origin story of the Dyin' Dawg. We want to wish everyone the best of luck who is fishing in the National Musky Championship and MMT this weekend. Hope to see some big fish pictures by the end of the weekend. Tap in and tight lines.

https://sugsfishing.com/

The MOT fellas are joined this week with special guest Owen Seman from over in the eastern state of Pennsylvania. He is one of the hosts of The Muskie Hunks podcast which is one of the MOT crews favorite musky pods to listen to. He also makes bucktails and spinnerbaits by the name of Big O's Bucktails that are responsible for Gus's PB northern pike. We also get into the origins of the Hunks along with Canadian adventures and some good ol' fashioned musky talk. Tap in!

This week Michael joins our short list of reoccurring guests as he chats with us about his late fall/early winter marathon. We talk about nice fish he stuck and how he did it. We also chatted a lot of baits as we tend to do this time of year. Some unique mods, choices, etc.. Gus and Michael will be at the Musky Road Rules event this Saturday, February 3rd, to present their seminars at Sportsmans Repair Shop in Mosinee, WI. Tap in!

While Brian was off celebrating his b-day, the fellas had a blast sitting down with Austin Wiggerman for a long chat. We caught up on his time at the Chicago show and heard about his successful season guiding in Northern IL, Southern WI, and Western MN. We even had a surprise guest drop by. Tap in!

This week the MOT boys had the pleasure of talking to an extremely talented videographer in the musky industry and that is none other than Kyle Friedges. Kyle runs a YouTube channel by the name of Cabbage Dragon Media. In his short few years of doing it he's put out some incredible content. In this pod we touch on Kyle's travels in his home state of Minnesota and out to Wisconsin & Canadian shield waters while telling us his full camera setup. He also touches on the previous Musky Battles he's been to and what's to expect on that front. The MOT fellas then touch on the upcoming musky expos this winter as well as a new merch drop. Tap in!

This week we were joined by Capt. Curtis Cecchi, a multi species guide in Presque Isle WI that has the musky bug. Curtis has an extensive fishing background as a biologist & full time guide. We get into life as a younger guide, bar stories from the resort he guides out of, and a lot of conservation talk. We found it enlightening and hope you all do as well. Tap in!

The fellas get their NYE hangover cure from endless laughs while talking to musky fishing legend Gregg Thomas. Gregg has been doing the PMTT events since the beginning, guiding all over the musky range, and has his name well established within the musky fishing community. So with his background we barely breach the surface of musky tales and tips n tricks that Gregg can provide.

We hope everyone had a tremendous welcoming of the New Year and will be blessed with musky riches in the 2024 season. Tap in!

This week the fellas chop it up with Glenn McDonald from 54 or Bust YouTube channel making it the crews first ever Canadian guest on the pod. During this special interview Glenn speaks on multiple Canadian musky fishing tips that the listeners can use up in the north or anywhere in the musky range. He also touched on some prominent baits in his boat plus the past, present, and future of his YouTube channel. Tap in!

Join the fellas this week as they have a chat with the Musky Metrics man, Jeff Lang. Make sure to get out your pen and paper for this one because it is full of crazy good musky catching knowledge and patterning. Jeff has created an incredible app (Musky Hunter TV app) that puts moon and weather all in one. Knowing the best feeding times for musky on a daily basis has never been easier. This has been a game changer in my boat for this season, past seasons, and will be again for the seasons to come. Tap in!

If you want to learn more about Musky Metrics be sure to visit www.MuskyMetrics.com

This week the MOT crew is joined by a fellow young angler and guide, Rowan Stamm. Rowan brings to the table a wealth of knowledge on rivers and fly fishing along with some great nuggets on conventional gear and fisheries all over the midwest. The fellas listen in as Gus breaks down a very memorable catch to cap the season off in a BIG way. Thank you to all of our listeners on helping make 2023 one helluva season! Tap in!

We can't thank Brian Skaife enough for coming on this week to chat all things musky fishing. From his travels, to YouTube channel (Angling Anarchy), to being part owner of Chaos Tackle. It was a blast hearing his story and how he continues to make an impact on the musky world. The fellas catch up on their Thanksgiving weekends and chat about what's left this season. Tap in!

The MOT crew is back together for another mid summer chop sesh. August update for northwoods of Wisconsin is discussed along with some cold snap tactics for the rest of the month. The crew also talks on some recent large fish shown on social media that's been circling around. On top of all this a little bit of Green Bay muskies is discussed as well. Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Unfortunately no guest and no Brian this week as Max & Gus sit down and have a good ole fashioned late night musky chat. We recapped how end of November fishing has been going. Frustrations and wins. We also chatted some PMTT schedule now that it's been released and our opinions on the destinations for next year. We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and are appreciative of all the support this year for the new guys. Tap in!

On this weeks podcast we bring on our household co-host, Clayton Spiess, to check in on how his season went and help answer questions sent in by the listeners. On top of Clayton's very successful musky season, we chit chat about some late fall fishing nuggets that can still be used on the water for those who can get out. We hope everyone has had a great fall and good luck to those still hitting the water until the lakes freeze. We also would like to wish all of the Wisconsin deer hunters on a safe and successful opening weekend. Tap in!

This week we were lucky to have Matt Vavroch join us to chat all things muskie. We discussed his travels, YouTube channel, favorite niche muskie baits, and some great stories. Matt makes some awesome YouTube videos and we encourage everyone to check him out. Gus gives us a quick update on the status of northwoods fishing for those of you that are still out on the water or plan to be. Tap in!

The fellas recap their Musky Bender weekend that included 7 dudes, 2 boats, old fashions, potential ghosts, hot takes, and luckily a pile of Muskies. Tap in to hear about how we battled weather conditions, turnover, and at times, stubborn muskies. The conversation turned into a broader discussion regarding the pros and cons of fall fishing and what to do when things seem tough. Tight bite windows, tough weather, but truly no better time to be on the water amongst good pals. Grab a maple bourbon on ice or a pumpkin spice latte if you're driving and tune in to this weeks episode. Cheers.

This week we have a good ole fashion chop shesh about Summer Muskies. Our good friend Clayton was nice enough to sit in as a co host for Brian this week and he fills us in on his latest trip to Vermilion. We talk on a few of Gus’s recent trips including a big Wisco greenie that hit the bag and how he’s holding up during the thick of guide season. Tight lines everyone and tap in!