In this episode we recap THE 2024 Muskie Hunk A Palooza! Most of the Palooza participants are present to talk about their experience fishing in western PA. This episode is filled with fishing trip trials, fish stories and lots of laughs from last weekend. There is a strong possibility that another Eli podcast musky ends up in the bag!  Shout out: Bucko Muro - Bucko's Branded Baits Noah Clarke - Clarkey Baits Greg Jones - Lila Lures Dave From Minnesota

This week the Hunks are joined by return guest, none other than Ben Stone of Ben Stone Media. Ben sits down to talk about his season from last year, some of his past work filming for Kanal Gratis and Devoted Outdoors and what he has planned coming up for his new venture which includes all types of outdoor videography and editing. He’s one of the best at shooting content that is not only entertaining and educational but much more visually pleasing than most YouTubers out there, so definitely give him a look!

In this episode, it’s our privilege to chat with Greg Nimmer, who illustrates over and over during this talk why he’s known all around the country for his one-of-a-kind creative genius. Greg shares some of his journey making off-the-rails and unique musky baits for over 20 years (in an equally unique way). He tells us about his first expos, some things he’s learned in fishing and in building, and what his creative process looks like when it comes to dreaming up his zany creations. He gives us a few secrets and unexpected surprises, holds back on a few others, and tells us some incredible fishing stories from the north woods of Wisconsin. It’s a click-clackin’ good time.

In this episode Josh Marshall and Marshall Custom Tackle facilitate a conversation with one of Ohio's Muskie fishing's greats, Ray "Grandpa" Elkins. Ray is 81 years young and has been Muskie fishing for well over 65 years. Ray gives us some background on how he got started muskie fishing, what it looked like to fish Ohio in the 50's & 60's, how the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club got started and the impact that they have had, how he spent all his money on Wiley's and had to bum money for lunch and how he got the nickname "GRANDPA". This episode is a walk through Ohio Muskie history and Ray tells allot of fun and amazing stories. This was truly an honor for us to interview Ray and we could listen to Grandpa talk muskie fishing for hours.  Special thank you to Josh Marshall for helping set this up and helping Ray join the call!!!

This week the hunks are joined by a very special return guest in Jeff Contreras, as well as Dan Scriver, both from Tackle Industries. We get to catch up with Jeff and learn a little bit about how Dan got started in the fishing industry and how these two have joined forces to try to take the Tackle Industries brand to the next level in the Musky industry. We reveal that two of the hunks have been recruited by Tackle Industries and VEXAN fishing to become brand ambassadors, and are very much looking forward to testing out the products and helping Jeff and Dan get towards their goal of taking Tackle Industries and VEXAN Fishing into the future.

In this episode we have 2 special guests Chris Willen (Chris Willen Guide Service) and Lynn Hotchkiss (Big Fish Lynn). We highlight the Southern Muskie range and all it has to offer including a recent giant caught. Then we talk all things Chris Willen and what he has to offer with his guide service, along many different tactics to target these fish. From fishing the smallest waters imaginable in his Towee or drift boat to the big waters in his Ranger. You won’t want to miss our new segment to the podcast that debuts in this episode. Be prepared to laughing hysterically. Settle in and enjoy this week’s episode.

In this episode we sit down with chapter 16 secretary Charlie Mueller and long time club member Mr. Meatball himself Evan Schoss. We discuss everything chapter 16 new and old and how far the club has come in recent years. We highlight upcoming events like the banquet and the 2024 tournaments, and as usual get derailed a few times along the way.

In this episode we talk with our Wisconsin boys Trevor Allen and Justin Regan from Chaos Tackle. We get a little background on Trevor and Justin and hear about how they got started fishing and how they got hooked up with Chaos. We talk about Chaos and the endless products that they provide to customers, hear stories from their grueling show season travel and more. This was such a fun showcase and very informative for those of you trying to get into the sport of Musky Fishing. Chaos is truly a one stop shop and they really provide high end rods, nets, baits terminal tackle and more to you as an angler at a very cost effective price. Trevor and Justin are awesome sticks and a great representation of what Chaos is all about! Check this one out! Yinz guys will love it!

In this episode, we recap the 2024 Western Pennsylvania Muskie Max. The prodigal son Tommy "Two Crocs" Vanatta returns to talk about his first experience as a vendor at Muskie Max under the Saddle Tramp Banner. We are all sure he will never forget it.  We talk through the setup, first day live on Saturday and Sunday and recap favorite stories from the weekend. We eventually cover our muskie max gear hauls which results in spending PTSD. At the very end of this episode, Owen pulls the raffle winner of the Big Rich Muskie painting. We got MAXXED!

In this pre Muskie Max vendor spotlight, we highlight the father son duo of Nick and Bob Cox and B&N Custom Lures. We discuss what B&N is bringing to this weekend's Muskie Max and get an update from the boys on recent trips. We end the discussion talking about what's going to be in all of our bags. Happy Muskie Max week! We will see yinz at the MAX!

The Hunks are joined this week by 2 friends of the pod and return guests, Jake Latkovic of Latkovic Lures and Mark King of Keystone King Musky Lures. Both will be at Muskie Max showing theirs wares, this weekend at Washington Crowne Center in Washington Pa. Tune in to hear what each has planned to bring for the show so you can budget accordingly! Of course there are many side-tracks and laughs throughout, let’s get ready for Muskie Max Week!!!

In this episode we catch up with owner and operator of Battle The Beast Guide Service and Musky Hunter , Gregg Thomas. Gregg comes on to kill some time while he drives home from the Milwaukee Musky Expo and talks recent musky fishing conditions, show season, cool new baits for the year, fishing tips for early spring, updates to Musky Hunter media as well as highlighting his collection of random gas station bathroom stall art cell phone pictures.  We are all pumped to see Gregg next week at THE Muskie Max in Worshington. Its always a pleasure catching up with Gregg and talking musky fishing! Check this one if your into eating hot dogs like a corn cobb and laughing until you cant breath.

In this episode  owner of Core 3 Group, host of the Boss Juice Podcast and one of the OG Fathers of the Muskie Max, Shawn Leopardi comes on to discuss the upcoming Muskie Max. Muskie MAX is Western PA's Superbowl of Musky Fishing, its one of the top shows in the country.  Shawn answers questions regarding the new venue, gives us a sneak peak at what to expect for this years show and gets us pumped up for Smokin' Dave's BBQ!!! There have been allot of questions regarding this years Muskie Max and Shawn as always has a plan and is able to adjust on the fly to bring us BIGGER AND BETTER MAX 2024! Check this episode out, and get ready to GET MAXXED! https://www.muskiemax.com/ https://www.smokindavesbarbq.com/ https://www.core3group.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boss-juice-podcast/id1669114003

In this episode, we recap the New York Musky Expo and the recent Three Rivers Chapter 16 Muskies Inc Lure Swap.

In this episode we discuss our approach for purchasing gear at the upcoming New York Musky Expo this weekend. All of us talk about our gear wish list and want baits we want to target. When dad goes to bed, we discuss budgeting approaches and how we all fail miserably to stay on financial track. We are looking forward to this 2024 New York Musky Expo and cant wait to see all yinz at the show!

The Hunks are pleased to welcome none other than Katia Rivers and Zach Baker, both return guests and great friends of the pod, to talk all things New York Musky Expo! Get all the info you need as we talk show setup, updated vendor lists and speaker lineups, Lure Swap and Karaoke Saturday night, games and activities for kids and families and more! Also here what Zach has planned from his Baker Lures booth, his new Glow baits, the Big Boy Bubble Baits he’s been working on, $25 firetiger Sunday deal and even a special new color he did for the Hunks! It’s all here and it will all be available to you next weekend February 3 & 4 at Chautauqua Inn & Suites in Mayville, NY! Come Experience The NY Musky Expo

Ahead of the upcoming NY Musky Expo, the Hunks are joined by return guest and friend of the pod, Adam Mueller from Topline Baits. This episode focuses on Adam’s baits, which if you’ve listened to much of the Hunks you’ll know that they’re already fans of Adam’s work, so get a deep-dive into what he has new coming and what people can expect from his booth at the Expo! You’ll want to put some Toplines on your Wishlist after this one, check it out!

Settle in for an amazing conversation between the hunks and none other than the First Family of Muskie Fishing, father/daughter duo Mike and Amy Keyes from Keyes Outdoors and KOTV. Hear all about how Mike got his start in the hunting industry and how that led him, organically, into the world of musky fishing. Hear about his career, how things used to be done back in the day as far as filming, editing and producing musky tv shows, and how his work has evolved into what it is today and the new arrangement for KOTV on ROKU streaming devices. Hear about his daughter Amy who followed in dad’s footsteps by getting involved with dad’s business, taking over on the creative side of things, editing and marketing, which led her to her current position as editor of Muskies Inc. and designer for the magazine and calendar! This episode is full of stories, insight and laughs, give it a listen and let us know what you think! http://www.keyesoutdoors.com/ https://kotvchannel.com/video-on-demand/

The Hunks have a full house on board for return guest Chase Gibson, who gives us a little life update and on his multiple business ventures (Muskie Bumper, 10k Casts with Musky Mayhem, Gibson Guide Services, etc) and then the talk turns to electronics, hot water release studies and the questionable results of the same, differences between fishing south (West Virginia, Ohio) and north (Minnesota) as it pertains to trying to pattern fish and learn new bodies of water. Lots of good personal insight from a young guy who spends all of his time in the business and someone who will be a staple in the Muskie world for years to come. Give it a listen!

Lila lures!!! Get comfortable and listen to the Hunks as they are joined by a very special guest from North of the Border, Greg Jones of Lila Lures! Time flies when you’re having fun, and 3 hours went by in a flash as Greg gives the details of how he got started fishing, muskie fishing the Kawarthas and Georgian Bay, trolling 15 mph, making baits and you get a real good feel for what he will have to offer at his booth at the NY Musky Expo in February! Greg makes some of the prettiest baits in the business, and also some of the BIGGEST crankbaits you can buy! Add Lila Lures as a “Must Stop” booth in NY, you won’t be disappointed! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilalures/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3077346525818687