Blog

Hungry Hungry Catfish

Published Aug 26th, 2011

Received this story in a recent email: A guy who lives at Lake Saint Marys (60 miles north of Dayton, OH ) saw a ball bouncing around kind of strange in the lake and went to investigate.. It turned out to be a flathead catfish that had apparently tried to swallow a basketball which became […]

The First Maina Maniac! Kevin Bye

Published Aug 11th, 2011

Kevin Bye was selected as the first Maina Maniac! He already had a few photos to share, as well as a quick bio. You can check out his page at http://www.petemaina.com/kevin-bye/! If you want to become the next Maina Maniac, all you have to do is be an active fan on Pete’s site, Facebook Fan […]

Extreme Fishing

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Beat the Heat, Beat the Cold… Pete’s tips and techniques for non-traditional Muskie presentations in tough conditions. Catch it in this new issue of Wisconsin Sportsman’s Magazine (July/August 2009) On Newsstands Now!

Check Out the Ladies of Muskie Fishing Podcast!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here To Listen The Muskie Maniac Podcast Sponsored by Musky Tales Introducing Jesica Retzleff of Phelps Wisconsin. Jesica started Muskie fishing a year ago and has already had a triple! Jesica describes herself as a girly girl who not only enjoys hunting and fishing, but is in the process of starting her own Muskie […]

SCHRAM Band on Tour with MOTLEY CRUE!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

8/22/2009 – Crue Fest 2 – Nissan Pavilion – Bristow, VA 7800 Cellar Door DrBristow, VA 20136-1148(703) 754-2156(Near Washington D.C. and Baltimore) 8/23/2009 – Crue Fest 2 – Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion – Raleigh, NC3801 Rock Quarry RdRaleigh, NC 27610(919) 831-6400 8/27/2009 – Crue Fest 2 – Cruzan Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL601 […]

Pete on John Gillespie’s Waters and Woods

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Show Date: August 29th & 30th, 2009 Location: St. Lawrence Seaway; Montreal, Canada Pete travels to Montreal on the St. Lawrence Seaway, with John Gillespie along with guide and friend Marc Thorpe. As per usual, we are targeting the great muskellunge, and Marc has us on the spots that produce big fish. We get just […]

Targeting Trophy Species

Published Jun 29th, 2011

The Surface is an Edge The surface of the water is an edge that predators learn to use. As they mature, they learn to use it more and more … the surface is often a place to target trophy specimens of all species.

Barbs, Cutters & Stuff

Published Jun 29th, 2011

We’ll start with what may likely be the most important topic in Esox release: hook cutting. We’ve been over this a bunch, but will never stop. Hook Cutting This is a subject that may not have nearly as much importance for folks going barbless (more on that later), since with no barbs, hooks easily back […]

Those “Blooming” Muskies

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Late summer/early fall fishing means a lot of things for a lot of people. For everyone, it’s the end of summer. For fishermen and women, no matter what their target species, it means changing patterns in their fishing if they wish to remain effective… leading the way to a period of consistent transition into the […]

Live Bait Basics

Published Jun 29th, 2011

As many of you may already know, live baits can work great for muskie and pike. In Wisconsin, the use of live bait (usually in addition to artificial presentations) is very popular, especially in the fall, for muskies. It can work well in the spring too. In a nutshell, it works best and is most […]

What’s Next for Our Muskie Fisheries?

Published Jun 29th, 2011

All you muskie fishers out there-give yourself a pat on the back. Let’s look at what’s happened in muskie fishing over the last couple decades. About twenty-three years ago I started to release muskies myself, and encourage my guiding clients to do the same. As a teenager, so rabid about fishing that I started guiding […]

Fishing with Live Bait

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Many anglers have never even tried live bait for any species. Where I come from in northwestern Wisconsin, live bait use for musky is a tradition as old as the sport itself. Generally, live bait use is common in the spring, and almost standard procedure for most muskie seekers in the fall. There are those […]

Lure Colors and Muskies

Published Jun 29th, 2011

You’ve all seen the smiley tackle manufacturer or rep at the sports show, graciously offering info on their line of product; also counsel on the myriad of colors available. I’ve been there myself many times; on both sides of the fence. Once an angler is convinced they can’t possibly live without a particular lure type, […]

Finding Pike Through The Ice

Published Jun 29th, 2011

To me, when it comes to the hard water season, northern pike are my favorite target for a lot of reasons. First, they are bigger fish that have teeth. And they pull hard and move fast. And another real neat thing to me, is that they are generally pretty easy to target on waters with […]

Fight ‘Em Right

Published Jun 29th, 2011

I’ve spent many seasons now as a muskie angler and guide (to the point where I’d rather not get specific). As a result, I’ve endured many a muskie story. Of course, the bulk of these are of “the one that got away” variety (specimens cited in the telling are of extreme proportions). I’ve watched many a muskie shake-off, not-get-hooked and even skillfully avoided as potential captors managed to whisk-away their offering before snapping jaws could close around them. It’s as though they want to save their respective purchases from the wear and tear that coincides with such vicious, toothy attacks (which I’ve never quite understood, since they’re usually paying me money to catch one of the silly things).

Catch & Release Basics for Toothy Critters

Published Jun 29th, 2011

As esox anglers, we all know the importance of catch and release to the future of our sport. Good intentions alone don’t make for successful releases. If the esox doesn’t survive the release, wasted effort and fish flesh is the result. There is no complete substitute for experience. No doubt, the more fish you handle, […]

Head in the Water

Published Jun 29th, 2011

When we talk of practicing effective release for muskie and northern pike, we commonly hear of the importance of having the right tools – and this is absolutely essential. If you don’t have the long-nose pliers, quality hook cutters, spreaders, split-ring pliers and spare hooks – you shouldn’t go. Additionally though, while the initial response […]

Adjusting Boat Control

Published Jun 29th, 2011

  Efficiency is a very key element in muskie fishing. The lower the density of a fish species, the more you need to optimize your time on the water. Adjusting boat position on structures as patterns emerge can really save time, increasing water coverage of the effective zone and ultimately resulting in more strikes.

Learn to Use those LURES

Published Jun 29th, 2011

A BIG secret – that doesn’t involve a “secret” lure; rather, increasing significantly, the capability of your favorite lures – to become secret weapons – as compared to other folks’ lures of the exact same kind. And actually, it’s a great off-season project for folks who chase muskie and pike where the water stays hard […]

Lure Patterning

Published Jun 29th, 2011

There are big advantages to multiple anglers. After decades of guiding, generally a couple anglers at a time, every day, you’d think I’d like to spend a day or two just fishing alone. And I do, if it’s relaxing bobber-watching for a higher density species, but if I’m even halfway serious about muskie-catching, I can’t […]

Netting

Published Jun 29th, 2011

This subject is important for any species, but knowing how to properly use a net is especially important when it comes to big predators like muskie and northern pike. Done right, it’s the most effective and safest (for angler and fish) way to land and release fish. The ‘safest’ part is true – but based […]

Polarized Glasses

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Talk about a no – no; it’s like going muskie fishing without long-nose pliers and quality hook cutters-if you don’t have ’em-don’t go! Quality polarized glasses are an absolute must for any good muskie or pike fisher. And, it goes well beyond fishing-efficiency – to eye protection. You only get one set of these eyeballs, […]

Proactive Management

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Mandatory release (i.e. proactive regulations that require release of all fish, a majority of fish, certain size-structure ranges in a fish species…) is a popular management tool. There are many variables – each specie and fishery with its own uniqueness – as to where and how special regulations should be established. And total catch and […]

Return – Get that Muskie!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

A real common question from muskie anglers is: “What do I do when I’ve located a big one?” Of course questions on triggering and wondering why figure eights didn’t work are common too. The hard thing for folks like me, is that there really are no certain answers. I’ve certainly never figured out how to […]

Puffing

Published Jun 29th, 2011

This is a tremendous little tip for use with any type of spinner lure, whether it’s an in-line or overhead spinner style. It’s exactly what I love in life: something very simple, comparatively easy-and I really believe increases interest and reactive strikes. Simply put, most folks just reel their spinners straight in… and often that […]

For the Love of Muskie’s

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Author: Ted Pilgrim with Pete Maina Pete Maina has in his day handled thousands of big muskies. Ex-guide, lure inventor, TV personality, angler extraordinaire, Maina has worn many hats. Today, while he remains a zealous hunter of the big green fish, his real crusade is a message of placing fisheries first. “No one is handling […]

Jigging on Cold Fronts

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Cold fronts generally aren’t the greatest news for any fishing, other than the fact that pre-frontal conditions usually bring a feeding spree as barometric pressure drops. Following this though, when cold air, high, clear skies persist, muskie and pike are usually laying pretty low, just trying to stay comfortable, digest, likely pass a little gas… […]

Catch and Release Muskies After Dark

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Night fishing is in many ways – exactly the same as fishing during the day, when it comes to structures, lures, tactics and such. Yet, it does pose some unique issues for handling the landing and release of hooked fish. As with the fishing itself, every step of the process is made a little more […]

How to Get Out of Your Summer Muskie Drought

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Muskies are never easy. We hear all kinds of things about what makes them tough to catch – and one of them is warm water, dog day summer conditions. But actually, in many ways, summer is my favorite time of year for muskies. It’s often feast or famine; there are so many things to try; it […]

New Podcast – Common Sense “Secrets” of WHY and WHERE to find the BIG Fish!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here To Listen Understanding which ones you keep for the frying pan and which ones you throw back…you may just be surprised to learn it’s not be they way Grandpa taught you! Pete chats with well known Fishing Guide Dustin Carlson who resides in Duluth, Minnesota which offers him the opportunity to fish some […]

BIG PIKE Action from Budapest – Check out THIS VIDEO!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Pete’s friend Aurel Hernyak lives in Hungry and has a passion for Big Fish. Recently Aurel and one of his good friends fished for Pike in the Baltics. They put together this amazing clip of HUGE Pike that give Europe it’s infamous reputation.

Eagle Lake Ontario – Andy Myers Lodge

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Pete Maina and his father Tex on their annual Father/Son Fishing Trip with John Gillespie at Andy Meyers Lodge in Eagle Lake, Ontario CA.

New Podcast is up!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here To Listen Pete talks with Patrick Sebile of the award winning lure company, Sebile USA. They will tell you which lures are their personal favorites, why they like them and how to use them. We catch up with Kurt Eltvedt owner of Musky Tales, an online store that offers everything you need for […]

The New Podcast is up! Find out what’s coming up on “The Next Bite TV” show

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here To Listen The Next Bite’s new season is right around the corner! Join Pete Maina as he chats with Gary Parsons, Keith Kavajecz, Chase Parsons and Brian Shram about what shows they shot for the upcoming season. Listen as they share where they fished, their behind the scenes trials and tribulations of filming […]

New Podcast is up World Record Muskie’s – Fish, Lies and Measuring Tape!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here To Listen This month’s Podcast is titled “FISH, LIES and MEASURING TAPE”. Fishermen have long been known to tell “fish tales”…but when some tell lies for money and fame…that’s a whole other story…certain to be controversial topic on World Record Muskie’s. Check out the Media page for a list of ALL podcasts!

Pete will be at Northwest Sports Show – Minneapolis 3/26-3-27

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here for More Information Come meet Pete and enjoy his informative and fun presentation on Friday March 26th at 5 pm and 7pm (Chance to win prizes at both presentations) Then on Saturday March 27th Be sure to stop by the Sebile USA Booth … Pete will be demonstrating Sebile lures and will be […]

Pete on The Fish Schtick

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here to Listen An audio journal highlighting fishing and the fly-fishing world. Hosts: Teeg Stouffer, Brian Bennett, Michael Mauro and weekly guests. We offer news, reviews, tips and tricks along with interviews that are delivered while they’re fresh to an enthusiastic, worldwide audience.

New Podcast – Pete catches up with Mark Zona

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here To Listen Join Pete Maina and his guest Mark Zona, TV fishing show host for ESPN’s”The World’s Greatest Fishing Show” and BassMaster.This very funny show will have you laughing as these two friends share their fishing stories and experiences as TV Fishermen. It wasn’t completely perfect getting started in the business, Mark Zona […]

Vacation with Pete!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Take the family fishing with Pete and his family, for a fun filled long weekend of fishing, bbq, fish fry, campfire stories and children’s activities…we are cutting this off at 15 families so book your space today! Vermilion Vacation

New Podcast – Operation Muskie 3

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Click Here To Listen Pete Maina chats with four Iraq and Afghan United States vets about their experience fishing the 3rd annual Operation Muskie event. Twenty vets are selected to participate, some have fished muskie, some haven’t. Hear their stories of how they caught their first muskie or how they lost the big one. Is […]

HOLIDAY DVD SALE! Buy One Get One FREE!!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Buy one DVD at regular price and get the 2nd Free!Lowest priced DVD qualifies as ‘Free’. Your discount will be applied as a “Refund” when Credit Card is processed, Offer ends 12/31/2010.

“Tweet for Pete!” Contest

Published Jun 29th, 2011

How would you like to win a lure from Pete’s own private stash AND a free DVD? All you have to do is follow Pete (PeteMaina) on Twitter! Not only will you get all of Pete’s updates, you’ll also get a chance to win one of Pete’s lures and a DVD of your choice! Just […]

Win a Chance to Fish With Pete!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

You know how American Idol works right? You perform, we judge…then we leave it up the audience to decide! That is how you can become known as the “Next Muskie Idol”! Submit your best reason why you should be the one to fish with Pete. You can do that by posting on Pete Facebook Fan […]

Win Prizes with Pete at the Spring Fishing & Boat Show!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Be sure to come see Pete Maina at the Spring Fishing & Boat Show Saturday thru Monday (Feb. 19th – 21st) at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario! Pete will be giving away his signature Pink Hats and other great prizes. Stop by and say hello to Pete for your chance to win!

Come See Pete and Mark Zona at the Bass Pro Shops Spring Classic!

Published Jun 29th, 2011

Pete Maina and Mark Zona will be TOGETHER at Bass Pro shops Spring Classic this weekend! Stop in and meet both of them at one of these locations! -Pete Maina: Friday, February 25, 2011 – Bolingbrook, IL; Seminar @ 7:00pm-Pete Maina: Saturday, February 26, 2011 – Gurnee, IL; Seminar @ 2:00pm-Pete Maina: Sunday, February 27, […]