Musky Therapy

What does it take to hunt muskies for 26 years without losing the spark? This week, we sit down with the legendary Mike Keyes of Keyes Outdoors to discuss his "off-the-grid" philosophy and the mental grit required to find fish in the wild! We’re skipping the manicured resorts and diving straight into the deep woods, covering everything from early-season river tactics to southern lakes an...

For the first time since the 1980s, the "invisible line" across Wisconsin has vanished. Starting in May 2026, the Northern and Southern musky zones are unified, giving anglers in the Northwoods an opening day three weeks earlier than tradition has ever allowed. But is this a win for angler opportunity, or a risk to the next generation of trophies? In this episode, we sit down with Jordan...

In this episode, we sit down with Sean McAughey to reflect on his first full season operating Crow Rock Lodge on Lake of the Woods . Sean breaks down what year one was really like—from the biggest victories that made it all worthwhile to the challenges that tested him along the way. We also dive deep into the open water fishing season on Lake of the Woods , discussing how the bite shaped up overal...

​In this episode, we sit down with Sean McAughey, the new owner of Crow Rock Lodge, to explore his journey from a young angler on Lake of the Woods to becoming the proprietor of one of Ontario's premier fishing resorts. Sean shares stories from his early days guiding on the lake, the lessons he learned working in the resort and lodge industry, and the experiences that led him to purchase Crow...

If you’ve ever had a musky follow your lure all the way to the boat, only to give you the cold shoulder at the last second, you’re not alone. Muskies are masters of hesitation, and without the right boatside maneuver, they’ll leave you frustrated and empty-handed. That’s where the figure-8 comes in, and in this video, I break down exactly how to turn those stubborn followers into boat-flipping tro...

Ever dreamt of that explosive topwater strike, the line screaming off your reel?  That heart-stopping moment is what every muskie angler lives for. But let's be real, those magical moments don't just happen. They're built on a foundation of rock-solid boat control.  Think about it: you're out there casting all day, maybe 1200 times in ten hours, just for that one epic bite.  Ev...

In this video, we dive deep into the fascinating behavior and tendencies of muskies, often referred to as the "fish of 10,000 casts." As tertiary predators with a cautious and inquisitive nature, muskies present a unique challenge to anglers. These long-lived fish can reach ages of 30 years and are known for their notorious following behavior, often trailing lures without striking. Under...

Mastering Muskies Episode #3: "Seasonal Muskie Movements – Adapting to the Calendar" dives deep into the ever-changing patterns of muskie behavior throughout the year. Drawing from countless hours on the water, this episode seeks to unravel the mysteries behind where and why muskies move, as influenced by seasonal transitions. Listener questions fuel the discussion, touching on topics su...

In Episode 2 of Mastering Muskies, we will first begin by diving deeper into musky fishing essentials, tackling some of your follow-up questions from Episode 1. We'll break down the key components of open-face reel and rod combos, focusing on what works best for you. From selecting the right musky line to understanding the importance of leaders and premium terminal tackle, we'll also exp...

Welcome to my ALL NEW whiteboard educational video series: Mastering Muskies - Beginner to Expert! In this program you will join me as I start with an introduction to muskie fishing and the basics you will need to achieve success. As we continue in this program we will cover more advanced topics with the goal of providing you with the tools you need and want to become a more knowledgeable and succ...

Forward-facing sonar technology in fishing is a revolutionary new tool that provides anglers with a real-time, detailed view of the underwater environment. Unlike traditional sonar systems that scan downward, forward-facing sonar sends out a beam in the direction the angler is facing, allowing them to see fish, structure, and the bottom ahead of the boat.  By offering a live, high-definition view...

Join me for this very exciting episode of the Musky Therapy podcast as we talk with National Freshwater Hall of Fame angler Joe Bucher!  Joe opens up about his health and some of the challenges he faced during the 2023 season and how he is now back in the saddle and stronger than ever before.  Next we dive into the saltwater game as Joe brings us up to speed on chasing Bull Reds and Speckled Trout...

Join me for this very exciting episode of the Musky Therapy podcast as we have the incredible opportunity to interview National Freshwater Hall of Fame angler Joe Bucher!  Joe opens by discussing how his adventures in Florida during the winter months chasing bull Red fish have shaped the way he has continued to grow as an angler and then, we get into muskies!  With the 2023 muskie season on the ho...

Join us in this episode of the Musky Therapy podcast as we sit down for an exciting discussion with guide and videographer Doug Wegner.  In this episode we dive into Doug's 2022 muskie season, what he learned, and how he will be applying these lessons this coming season.  Doug also discusses his new exclusive members only subscription YouTube service for his channel and what makes this specia...

The summer of 2022 was undoubtably the most challenging we have faced in years!  Join me on this episode of the Musky Therapy podcast as I sit down and talk with good friend and Northwoods fishing guide Chris Opper as we breakdown our experiences on the water during the summer season and make predictions for fall hunting! For more information about the complete lineup of Joe Bucher Outdoors produc...

Join me for a talk with one of my best friends and long time musky fishing partners Chris Martin - my brother!!!  In this episode Chris and I discuss what my goals are for filming the 6th season of the Musky Mastery YouTube channel and then we dive into what "musky fishing confidence" entails and how we can all grow this over time. For more information about the complete lineup of Joe Bu...

Join me for a very exciting talk with an icon in the musky fishing industry Joe Fittante, owner of Fittante Taxidermy and Replicas!  In this episode we discuss how Joe Fittante discovered wildlife taxidermy during his younger days and what led to the start of his nationally recognized fish replica business.   Joe's career in the musky industry began in 1972 and has spanned an incredible 50 ye...

Join us as Herbie talks about how his favorite northern WI musky waters have changed over the years and his predictions for big muskies in Wisconsin. Plus, Steve shares a few lessons learned from his encounters with the biggest muskies he has ever seen!  Check out the Musky Mastery YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/MuskyMastery To learn more about the complete line of Joe Bucher O...

Join me as I sit down with Brian Skaife, who owns and operates the Angling Anarchy YouTube Channel, as we discuss the importance of learning from our muskie losses and how filming our muskie hunts can give us the edge in finding future success!  Check out Brian Skaife's Angling Anarchy YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnglingAnarchy Check out the Musky Mastery YouTube channel h...

Topics discussed: Chas talks with Musky Mastery pro staff member Mike Richardson about the mental state of muskie hunting!   - How do you mentally prepare for a musky hunt? - Humor on the boat... what kinds of things do we do to keep things fresh? - Physical preparation and what it takes to stay "in the game" for 16 hours straight! - Healthy eating and muskie hunting? - How we approach e...