Ugly Pike Podcast

In this second part of our discussion with bait maker and extraordinary muskie angler Cullen Veiders, we dive into the art and craft of bait making.  Cullen talks about the traits and methods that produce excellent lures and how to use them.  Topics include:

• How obsession affects craftsmanship in baitmaking
•  What makes a great lure
•  Working lures in different ways 
•  Finding new lures to work 

It took us a while to book Cullen Veiders but it was worth every minute!  In this episode we sit with Cullen who is a big personality on and off the water.  He is a revered bait maker and angler and in this first part of this series, Cullen talks about coming out on the other side of struggles to channel the lessons learned and turn it all into success stories.  In this part 1 we explore: 

• Addiction Issues muskie and otherwise 
• Cullen's health journey 
• Roots of fishing in NY State and Niagara 

In this Full Moon Friday Chris and Frank talk about the opening of the season and take a call from Frank's brother from another mother, Red October Baits co-founder Josh Ketry.  Josh chimes in about what is new and exciting on his side of the border, fishing the Niagara, and what makes a good lure, a great lure.  Josh also talks about the special guest to his Jiu Jitsu Academy, Buffalo United Martial Arts when A.C. Slater himself walked in the door last week, Mr. Mario Lopez!  

In part 2 of this epic early opener session, lures and baits are the focus!  The guys talk with Johnny Dadson and Alex Boutin about curating lures when you have access to many of them.  Also, what's it like to read an encrypted bump board!  Points of discussion include:  

• Early season lure size
• Selecting lure types
• Early season blade baits
• Breaking down fisheries early season 

 On location with Johnny Dadson from Dadson Blade Baits and Alex Boutin from Barbarian Braid.  The guys talk about their tactics and approaches to this season's early outing.  With these two sharp and innovative muskie minds, a robust and exciting discussion about issues and tactics ensues.  Topics include: 

• Using livescope 
• Crankbait building 
• Using the right hooks 

With the 2026 season upon us, Chris and Frank talk about their plans for this year including some epic destinations to hunt muskies.  Friend of the show Pete Stefenac calls in to reconnect with the guys and talk about his epic career as a guide on the French River.  Pete was one of the first people from the community to connect with the podcast and can be heard on the earliest episodes when the Slobland crew was interviewed at the St. Catharines Muskie Odyssey!  

In this second part of our discussion with Matt "Catfish" Firestein, we get into the diverse fishing ecosystems in both Canada and the USA before shifting the discussion toward gearing up for the inland season opener that is just around the corner!  Topics include: 

• Running down the US and Canadian muskie fisheries 
• Tactics for early season 

Matt "Catfish" Firestein has hunted muskies all over North America.  Matt also works as one of the busiest and most sought-after guides on Lake St Clair.  In this episode, we connected with Matt to tap into his vast knowledge of North American muskie fisheries!  Points of discussion include: 

• Life of a charter captain 
• The Lake St Clair fishery
• How muskie use water types to hunt 
• Boat bites vs board bites
• Value of muskie clubs 

In this second part with global nomad angler Paul Charbonnea, we get into chasing predators in some of the most remote locations on earth.  As Paul says, he lives and works to fish, and in this segment, he takes us with him into boats in South America and Africa as he chases some of the most exotic giants on the planet.  Points of discussion include:

• Saltwater epiphany 
• The Amazon 
• Madagascar 

In this first part with muskie angler Paul Charbonneau, we talk about Paul's entry into the fishing world and what makes a special angler, as well as what makes the muskie such a unique predator.  Paul travels the world chasing predators and explains why muskies are always unique and special. Topics include:  

• The fishing generations
•  The thing about muskies 
•  Choosing Baits to bring in the boat
•  Fishing across Ontario 
•  Casting/trolling