Cooper Edwards has had the privilege of fishing and guiding some of the very best muskie lakes in Canada and the US. We wanted to sit with Cooper and talk about his experiences on these incredible bodies of water. Cooper recalls some of the laughs, the highs, and the lows of working as a guide on places like Lac Seul, Eagle Lake, and Lake St. Clair. In this part one, we discuss:

• Fishing during covid
• How water levels change the game
• Shoreline fishing for muskie
• Eagle Lake Island lodge
• Changing game plan when looking for a giant vs numbers

In this Full Moon Friday episode, the guys have a look toward the end of the season. It is the start of the final stretch, otherwise known as giant season! Frank gives a review of how the Unleash the Beast outing on the French River/Lake Nipissing went, as well as an update on a recent adventure to Georgian Bay with Pete Bostelmann and newly signed UFC fighter, Cody Chovancek. Following this, Dave Gray calls in to talk about this year's Musky Brawl. Dave has an unrelenting drive to keep growing this tournament and making it better. He calls in to talk about what is new and exciting at this year's event.

In this second part with Ben LaDuca, the conversation shifts to fishing, how to build baits, and how approaches to using these baits shift for Fall/Winter season success! Points include:

• Building the Dukes Dozers company
• Building and fishing spinnerbaits
• Using spinnerbaits in fall and winter season specifically for best results
  Jigging success
• Niagara Musky Association log keeping

In this episode the guys sit for a riveting talk with Ben LaDuca, owner of Dukes Dozers Spinnerbaits. Ben is an avid angler and the story of what lead him to this sport will lave listeners on the edge of their seats. The guys had an amazing discussion on Ben's history as a USAF soldier who survived multiple deployments to the Middle East and how he turned to fishing to deal with the aftermath. A truly unique and impactful chat with Ben. Topics include:

• How Ben became a muskie angler
• Ben's deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Transitioning from military to angling life
• Fishing as therapy
• Fishing and family

In part 2 of our discussion with Fisheries Technician Erin Wilson, we turn our attention to the science of muskies and muskie ecology. Erin delves into the whys and hows of collecting data and provides fascinating insights as to how she uses not only technology to learn about these fish, but also how she draws upon the community of anglers itself to provide critical data on this elusive species. An insightful and interesting talk on the science of muskies is the result. Topics include:

- Casting and breaking down spots

- Equipment setup

- Using livescope

- Erin's undergraduate - talking to muskie anglers for research

- The individualism of muskies

- Telemetry and other technological data collection efforts

It's not everyday that we get to sit with an avid muskie angler who is also a scientist who has devoted her educational pursuits and working life to understanding muskies. In this episode we sit down with Erin Wislon is currently employed as a Fisheries Technician at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, but recently graduated from her master’s at the Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Lab where she studied muskie movements in a remote Algonquin lake as well as the post release behaviour of angled muskie. Long before she ventured into muskie research she was and still is a very passionate multi-species angler with a major
focus on muskie. Points include:

• Erin's origin story as an angler
• Women's events for muskie angling
• Breaking down the Kawartha Lakes fisheries
• Fishing the Algonquin Lakes

In this Full Moon Friday episode, Chris and Frank discuss the high points of recent episodes and in particular, how mega guest JP Bushey's advice will influence Frank's approach to the upcoming Unleash the Beast outing on the French River/ Lake Nipissing. UTB outing director Todd Dowell of Toddy Tickle Baits calls into the show to discuss this year's adventure, what has changed, and why it will be great.

In this second part with JP Bushey, the talk turns technical. How to properly use baits, especially rubber baits dominates the discussion. JP gives a huge amount of details in this section. As Chris calls it, a true pen and paper session so prepare to take notes and to emerge from this second part a wiser angler. What a session!! Points of discussion include:

• Auto chart - the game changer
• Overcoming rock snot challenges
• Optimal use of rubber baits
• Controlled retrieves vs erratic baits
• Best methods for using tubes
• How to properly pair rods and reels with the correct baits