Episode 31 - Musky Fishing Secrets From a Lifetime on the Water with Pete Maina
Episode 31 - Musky Fishing Secrets From a Lifetime on the Water with Pete Maina  
Podcast: Legends of the Wild, A Field And Stream Production | Hunting, Fishing and the Outdoors
Published On: Wed Sep 09 2026
Description: Musky fishing can consume a lifetime, but the biggest lessons come from adapting. Pete Maina has spent decades chasing muskies as a guide, lure builder, writer, television personality, and lifelong angler. His experience offers a rare look at how musky fishing has changed, from the days when nearly every fish was harvested to today’s widespread catch-and-release culture. The conversation digs deep into the tactics that can help anglers find and trigger muskies, including fishing shallow heavy cover, identifying productive weed edges, experimenting with lure sounds and actions, and changing speed and retrieve cadence. Maina explains why bucktails remain such an effective way to cover water, why soft plastics have become increasingly important, and why forgotten lures from decades past can suddenly become deadly again. The discussion also tackles bigger questions facing modern fisheries. Forward-facing sonar and increasingly powerful electronics are making anglers dramatically more efficient, raising questions about fishing pressure, delayed mortality, barotrauma, and whether regulations can keep pace with technology. Maina also shares his thoughts on stocking, habitat loss, season structure, and the future of musky fisheries. For anyone chasing a personal-best musky, learning better fishing strategies, or thinking about the future of freshwater fisheries, there is plenty here to take to the water. Follow the show for more conversations about hunting, fishing, and the people shaping the outdoors. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Jay Beyer’s work: https://www.jaybeyer.com/              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices