Muskies On Tap

40 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Gus Mantey, Max Mantey, & Brian Eckle

Wisconsin northwoods musky Guide, Gus Mantey, his brother Max Mantey and their childhood buddy, Brian Eckle chronicle each week of Gus’s journey as a Musky guide. Hear real time fishing reports, stories from the boat, guest interviews, tournament results, tactics, and the occasional beer recommendation. We hope you enjoy!https://sugsfishing.com/Muskies on Tap - a division of Sug's Fishing LLC

E103 - JVR On Early Season Tactics + "On the Line"
#103
Last Thursday at 7:40 AM

This week the fellas get JVR back on the podcast who is an extremely knowledgeable and well rounded angler for all species, especially muskies and walleyes in the Northwoods. He breaks down precisely how this year has been shaping up with ice off, water temps and everything you need to know about the musky spawn. We even break into opener tactics already and per usual - get side tracked - right into some tournament talk! The fellas also chat in the opening minutes on some recent Livescope/FFS news in the industry. Couple listeners on the line sprinkled in...


E102 - Cave Run PMTT Recap LIVE from the Truck
#102
05/01/2025

Gus and Max LIVE from the truck ride home from Cave Run PMTT with Brian on the call. With it all fresh in their minds, the fellas bring the energy and talk entirely how they took a tough pre-fishing into an 8th place finish. Max got his first Kentucky fish and jigging! Lots of beans spilled in this one, don't want to miss it so tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Season is upon us now. Don't wait to book a trip with Gus!

Nate from Pittsburgh with some help on the intro

<...


E101 - Live From Cave Run PMTT Preview
#101
04/24/2025

This week we sit down live down in Cave Run, Kentucky with Gus, Max, Clayton and Nick who are all gearing up for the first PMTT of the 2025 season. The fellas chop it up on current conditions and everything about fishing tournaments. The good, the bad, the ugly. If you're fishing the PMTT this weekend we all wish you luck! Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Ladies and gentlemen...... START YOUR ENGINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


E100 - Tadpole Is Back!
#100
04/18/2025

The fellas get none other than Todd "Tadpole" Powell back on the pod for this special episode. Todd is a legend of Eagle River, WI and has unlimited stories to be told. We dive right into it and Tadpole doesn't hold back! Go mix yourself a signature Tadpole drink, kick back, and tap into the MOT-crews 100th episode. Cheers!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Nantz with a masterful call during Rory McIlroy's Masters victory in a playoff for this special weeks intro


E99 - On The Line, Viral Videos, FFS talk & More
#99
04/10/2025

This podcast with the 3 MOT amigos gets a lil spicy. We dive into voicemails from the listeners to see what they got to say while occasionally keeping up with current events. We read Facebook comments, chat on viral fishing videos and talk a little on the state of FFS in the musky industry. Tap into this certified yap-fest!

https://sugsfishing.com/

The intro this week starts with a Hot Rod quote and from there.... we will leave it at that lol


E98 - Adam Mueller w/ TopLine Baits
#98
04/03/2025

This week we bring on Adam Mueller with TopLine Baits. The fellas not only chatted it up on muskies and baits, but also on our shared passion for hockey. Got to hear about Canadian Juniors along with some rowdy stories. For TopLine Baits, Adam has a very impressive lineup of dive-n-rise, twitch baits, crankbaits, hard bodies tubes, and is always coming up with new ideas! We chat about some trolling tips and Great Lakes fishing in this one. Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

A very fitting quote this week since we talked about hockey fights...


E97 - On The Line w/ Taylor Flannery
#97
03/27/2025

This week the MOT gents get together with Taylor Flannery of Musky Guarantee Guide Service to chop it up with some On The Line submissions. We reflect on WI Musky Expo, baits we're looking forward to using, and chat on the upcoming Watersmeet Musky Expo this weekend (details below). We appreciate all those sending in voice memos/voicemails to get on the show and can submit them at any time! As always, thanks for tapping in and we're all getting pumped for the 2025 open water season!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Watersmeet Musky Expo March 29th (Saturday...


E96 - Big Fish Stories Live from the Wisconsin Musky Expo
#96
03/20/2025

The three MOT amigos put on a live podcast right out of the Hammer Customs/MOT/Sug's Fishing Guide Service booth at the Wisconsin Musky Expo. We had a fantastic time getting on numerous guests to chat on big fish stories, many of which were first time guests! We enjoyed our time at the expo and thank everyone who stopped by to support and say hey! If you want to immerse yourself in this one we recommend a cold beverage to tap in.

https://sugsfishing.com/

"Bring out your dead!" - Monty Python and the...


E95 - WI Musky Expo: Hammer Customs + BamBam + Big Action
#95
03/13/2025

Go get me a (Sugs) Juice Box!!!! From HunsyTails! Wisconsin Musky Expo this weekend and we couldn't be more excited! We have a special pod jam packed with Hammer Customs very own Nick Amorose, Brady Martz from BamBam, Brendon Rurak w/ Big Action, and bonus guest Clayton Spiess! Be sure to tap in not only to the pod but checking out the show!

Clayton and I will be speaking Friday at 4:30pm - The Great (Musky) Debate!

Muskies On Tap will have a booth right next to Hammer Customs and HunsyTails with a full lineup...


E94 - MN Muskie Expo Mashup: Musky Addicts & Kramer Bros Tackle
#94
03/06/2025

This week we bring two special guests on to prepare for the MN Muskie Expo this weekend. We get both Jon Best of Musky Addicts and Mike Kramer of Kramer Bros Tackle on this week. Both bait makers have some amazing new baits and colors to bring to this years show so we highly recommend stopping by their booths this weekend! Looks like it'll be an amazing show and can't wait! Gus and Max will be on foot this weekend at the expo so be sure to say hey and ask about merch!

We also had some...


E93 - The Three MOT Amigos Yapathon
#93
02/27/2025

We interrupt our regular winter scheduled guest program with a full on yapathon put on by yours truly: Gus, Max and Brian. The fellas get a few MOT listeners "On the Line" to hear some hilarious stories and great questions. Afterwards we finally chat upon our 2025 year resolutions and goals while also reflecting on the previous years. Tune in to see if we were able to fulfill 2024's goals and if 2025's are attainable or not!

Couple musky expos to watch out for that the MOT crew will be attending:

Minnesota Muskie Expo March 7-9...


E92 - Brad Hoppe w/ Musky Mayhem Tackle
#92
02/20/2025

Brad Hoppe, a fishing industry mogul, joins the MOT crew to chat about where Musky Mayhem started to where it is now. Brad knocks it out of the park with this one giving great stories and insight into the bucktail we know and love: The Cowgirl. American made! Brad also is the host of Mayhems 10k Casts with Chase Gibson who we recently had. The start and outlook of the show is also discussed. We give a quick recap on the Milwaukee Muskie Expo Brad and Gus just got back from. Thank you to everyone that participated and showed...


E91 - Musky Filled Conversation w/ Mr. Bryan Schaeffer
#91
02/13/2025

Bryan Schaeffer with Schaeffer Outdoors Guide Service was kind enough to join us on a cold Wisconsin evening. We covered most things under the sun with musky fishing. We even talked some Wisconsin opener tactics and rivers! Gus will be at the Milwaukee Muskie Expo in West Bend (Washington County Fairgrounds) this coming weekend Feb 14-16. He will have his own booth with MOT merch and information on Sug's Fishing Guide Service. Gus is also speaking Friday afternoon at 4pm! Hope everyone is staying warm and sane this winter. 3 more months till musky season in the north! Tap in!<...


E90 - Mike Conklyn Lures + WI Musky Expo Preview
#90
02/06/2025

This week we get on the man behind the infamous Glitch and Pedigree glidebaits, Mike Conklyn. Mike crafts each and every bait he makes by hand, balancing and testing them to give you the best possible custom glide bait. He also will be showcasing at this years WI Musky Expo a new lure: the Pacifier. This is a sweet take on a dive n rise bait we advise to check out! On top of Mike getting into all the specifics about how Conklyn Lures started and got to where it is now, special guest Rich Reinert is also on...


E89 - Jordan Weeks w/ the WI DNR
#89
01/30/2025

This week we have Jordan Weeks on from the WI DNR who has been a part of the musky program (musky team leader) in the state for around 25 years and has the title Mississippi River supervisor as well. Not only does Jordan provide the science but also is an avid musky angler in the sport for over 30 years. With his passion for muskies we dive into may topics tonight which include stocking, musky spawning, musky mortality, handling, hot water studies, barotrauma, and many more. This was quite possibly the most educational podcast we have put together and that was...


E88 - Ayden Froeschle Keepin' It Fresh
#88
01/23/2025

This week the MOT crew gets on Ayden Froeschle, a young musky angler with some fresh takes in this episode! Ayden grew up in the Hudson area fishing the St. Croix and Western Wisconsin. His musky bug started in Canada and now has taken him to many different big fish waters in MN like Leech Lake. Ayden's tournament career, although short (so far), is highly impressive breaking out multiple wins in the last few years. Tap in!

https://sugsfishing.com/

New merch incoming!!!!!

Lots of fresh things on the MOT agenda this week...


E87 - 10,000 Casts & Laughs w/ Chase Gibson
#87
01/16/2025

This week we have a chat with West Virginia native, Chase Gibson. He is now a very well traveled guide that is also making a mark in the TV side of musky fishing. Himself and Brad Hoppe host the show Mayhem's 10,000 Casts that airs weekly on KOTV and YouTube this winter. As we dive into that we also look at how Chase found himself in MN and now specifically Leech Lake. Lots of great tips, thoughts on electronics and bait suggestions in this episode as well as so many stories & tournament talk. We fit in as much as we...


E86 - Spotlight: Steve Genson & His 25 Years of Guiding
#86
01/09/2025

We welcome everyone to the new year with this fantastic chat we had with Steve Genson who is celebrating his 25th season of guiding! Not only that but we dive deep into some certified classic stories on the early days of Keyes Outdoors, guiding and tournament fishing. Steve guides primarily the greater Hayward area of WI nowadays, but has acquired extensive knowledge from all over the musky range from filming and tournament fishing. From start to finish you can hear the passion Steve still holds for the sport. Don't want to miss out on this one so tap in!<...


E85 - A Very Merry Hunksmas & A Happy MOT New Year!
#85
12/31/2024

The MOT crew thanks The Musky Hunks podcast for inviting us to join their secret santa gift exchange over the holidays. Huuuuge shooouuut ooouuuttt to them as well as Kyle Friedges (Beyond The 8 on YT), Matt Vavroch (Matt Vavroch Fishing on YT), and Tyler Andrews aka the Musky Guru (Not A Musky Podcast on all podcasting platforms). Had a great time and be sure to check out all of their content!

Gus and Brian talk over some end of the year updates prior to the gift exchange so listen in to get the scoop! Gus has a...


E84 - December Muskies w/ Rowan Stamm + Year In Wrap Up!
#84
12/19/2024

Welcome to the 2024 season wrap up of Muskies On Tap along with special guest Rowan Stamm out of Southern Wisconsin. Rowan is a river specialist who is also well equipped to take on any lake from the deep south to the north like Northern Wisco and MN. We had Rowan on last year in December and continued our chat on late season muskies and rivers. We share a lot of insightful tips along with some 2024 woes and struggles. There was plenty to take away with this past season and I hope everyone is prepared to take on 2025! Tap in...


E83 - Musky Strategy w/ Rich Reinert
#83
12/12/2024

This week we bring back Rich Reinert to talk about musky strategy, specifically in the fall timeframe. There were some trends statewide that Gus and Rich connected on to scheme up a different way looking at fall fishing. Along with more of the philosophy side of fishing, Rich sprinkles in a couple bait mods and nuggets. After catching up about recent fishing events we move onto expo talk and braided fishing line - specifically FINS. Rich keeps everyone in the loop with the news there that you don't want to miss out on. Many new baits to look forward...


E82 - Back w/ Gregg Thomas: The Musky Fishing Wizard
#82
12/05/2024

No introduction needed here as we bring back Gregg Thomas after our Thanksgiving break. Gregg gives his run down on how his fall went and quickly turns into a mega deep dive into fall fishing entirely. We know it's all over for us in the north as seasons end and ice forms, but don't let that deter the fact Gregg drops some incredible knowledge bombs for you to jot some notes to. Sit back, unwind, and tap in to hear the wizard himself

https://sugsfishing.com/

This weeks intro comes from the ever famous Harry...


E81 - Ryan McMahon: MN Muskies & Sucker Fishing Late Fall Tactics
#81
11/21/2024

This week the fellas get on Minnesota musky guide Ryan McMahon to discuss late fall tactics, progression of musky fishing, MN metro fishing, and sucker fishing. Ryan has a lot of passion for the sport and you can really tell from listening to his stories and fishing tactics. Tap in to hear Ryan's story and pick up on some great sucker fishing tips!

MOT hats are in stock! Link below

https://sugsfishing.com/

Another Happy Gilmore quote today: Happy and Bob Barker get in a fist fight after being in dead last at...


E80 - Austin Wiggerman Is Back! Southern WI + MN Musky Chat
#80
11/14/2024

This week we bring back Austin Wiggerman to sit down and chat about his season up until this point. We cover a wide variety of topics along the way like mid-summer, key baits on the season, turnover, water temps for fish movement, live bait, and many more. Summer through fall we covered it all!

MOT Hats available for sale on the website below!

https://sugsfishing.com/

Intro comes from Happy Gilmore in the opening scene of his round with Bob Parker and a heckler in the crowd messing with Happy's swing


E79 - Kevin Cochran On Northern MN Muskies
#79
11/07/2024

This week the MOT crew gets to chat with Kevin Cochran, Bemidji area musky specialist. Kevin has been at these monster MN fish guiding for just over two decades and consistently keeps the big fish pics coming. We have a full on discussion about area pressure, electronics, stocked vs native fish, and of course big fish stories.

Kevin also devotes part of his time for running his brand Headwaters Hat Co. which has some of the coolest hat/logo designs in the game. Be sure to check them out!

Tap in and be sure to...


E78 - WI Musky Battle Recap w/ Alex McLean & Tyler Schlabsz
#78
10/31/2024

This week the MOT crew is joined by special guests Alex McLean and Tyler Schlabsz from MN to recap the 2024 WI Musky Battle. We discuss how the battle went, the goal of the battle, and where it might take us in the years to come. Although the bite was tough for all, fish were still caught, some lost, friendships made, and good times had. It was an honor to be apart of this and look forward to the future of the battle!

Congrats to this years battle winning team: Kyle Weeks and Adam Stark!

Thank...


E77 - WI Musky Battle Preview w/ Kyle Friedges & Tyler Eggenberger
#77
10/24/2024

This week we are joined by Kyle Friedges and Tyler Eggenberger to preview the 2024 Wisconsin Musky Battle taking place in Vilas County, WI. We discuss what the musky battle is and hear some stories from past events. We chat about how the bites been as of late in the Northwoods and what to expect for this upcoming weekend. Best of luck to all that are getting out on the water or in the woods this weekend. Cheers.

https://sugsfishing.com/


E76 - Fall Q&A Mashup w/ the MOT Crew
#76
10/17/2024

This week the fellas sit down and answer questions sent in by the listeners mostly on fall fishing. We break down the go-to lures, types of spots to fish in certain conditions, turnover, fall warm ups, and many more fall topics. Gus gives an update on the northwoods conditions including lake temps, turnover, size lakes to target, etc. Tap into this one and good luck to those on the water or in the woods this weekend. Cheers!


E75 - Nate Osfar on Tournament Fishing + Fall Fishing Tactics
#75
10/10/2024

This week the MOT crew gets on special guest Nate Osfar to chat a bunch about his successes in musky tournament scene for almost 25 years. We start from the beginning with some of Nate's first tournaments and how that shaped him as a fisherman today. We barely scratch the surface on the countless stories he has from these events. We also get some of his expertise on fall fishing tactics. Brushing up on when to target certain systems and at what depth fish should be based upon the weather pattern. This pod is filled with tons of great nuggets...


E74 - PMTT Championship at the Eagle River Chain Recap
#74
10/03/2024

The MOT crew hops on for a recap of the PMTT Championship that just went down on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes. Gus and Max along with the other 36 boats were put to the test of some of the hardest early fall conditions one could draw up. Massive heat wave reaching mid 80s air temp, zero wind, zero clouds, water temps changing 5-8 degrees per day. It was a battle. In here we chat about what went down from pre fishing up until the end of the tournament with tactics and timing being of the main discussion. When...


E73 - Luke Bogdanovic w/ LBfishing + PMTT Championship Preview
#73
09/26/2024

This week we have fellow northwoods musky guide Luke Bogdanovic out of the Price county region of Northern Wisconsin to chat on some river and lake muskies. Luke has an incredible passion for fishing and shows that with his down to earth nature and pursuit of the freshwater phantom beast that lives within our rivers and lakes. We chat from rivers of his area to lakes and the mighty Bay of Green. For those looking for river float trip for muskies or smallmouth please hit Luke up to get on some phenomenal fishing!

The MOT crew also...


E72 - Taylor Flannery: Muskies Are Guaranteed In This Episode!
#72
09/19/2024

This week we bring back Taylor Flannery for a checkup on how his summer has been going and what's been working for him. We also dive into the current conditions we are dealt with and what to be looking for on the water during the incoming cooldowns we're getting in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Lots of bait talk in this one as the entire MOT crew + Taylor reflect on bait MVPs of the summer and the bait LVPs (Least Valuable Playa's). We also chat on some new videos Taylor has been putting out to the public on YouTube and...


E71 - Tyler Andrews On Canadian Muskies: Guru 4.0
#71
09/12/2024

This week we bring back a very special guest: Tyler Andrews aka the musky guru. He's one of our top reoccurring guests and always knows how to bring the heat. He's been up to a few new things this season that we all break down in the podcast. His new podcast that he hosts himself called "Not A Musky Podcast" podcast is a well put together show that includes guests from fishing to hunting and everything that bridges these sports together. We also chat on some Canadian adventures Tyler has been on this year. This podcast is jam packed...


E70 - Mike Kramer w/ Kramer Bros Tackle
#70
09/05/2024

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...


E69 - Minnetonka PMTT Recap Featuring 1st Place Team Clayton Spiess and Nick Amorose
#69
08/29/2024

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...


E68 - Late Summer Musky Bender Recap + Minnetonka PMTT Preview
#68
08/22/2024

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/


E67 - Gregg Thomas Is Back + Musky Bender Weekend Preview
#67
08/16/2024

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/<...


E66 - August Update w/ MOT Crew + Big Fish Chatter
#66
08/09/2024

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/


E65 - Mid Summer Northwoods Chop Sesh
#65
08/02/2024

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!


E64 - Muskies Around The Horn: Michael Hanson, Phil Stodola & Kyle Hunsader Chat On Northwoods Adventure
#64
07/26/2024

The MOT crew gets on a full line of guests to go around the horn and highlight a fishing trip that Phil Stodola, Kyle Hunsader and their good friend Jamie went on with Michael Hanson up in NW Wisconsin. Although this was the main objective, as you may have guessed this podcast goes derails all over the place and includes a "would you rather" segment that had some HOT n spicy takes. Muskies were totally talked about here.

Tap in and crack a cold one because it's going to be a hot one this weekend!

...