Muskie anglers rejoice! '10 Questions With...' is going out with a BANG! and some teeth! To finish off the last 10 Questions With for the year is none other than the Godfather of muskies, the Man in the Big Pink Hat, the great and always stylish - Pete Maina!

1. Have you fished in Pa before? If so, where? 
Yes, only once; Pymatuning

2. What's your favorite body of water in Pa? 
Pymatuning

3. What's your favorite time of year to fish in Pa? 
September

4. Are there any differences to fishing in Pa vs. other parts of the country?
Muskies love to jump there

5. What's your biggest fish/limit from Pa? 
Approx. 45 inch muskie.

6. Any spots in Pa you'd like to fish that you haven't yet? 
Any waters that have muskie.

7. What is your favorite species to target in PA? 
Muskie

8. When the fish just aren't biting, what lure or presentation do you use to get bites? 
Soft plastics most of the time. In PA, when things were tough, jerkbait seemed best.

9. How do you stay focused when what was working is now not? 
Focus is easy; just continue to try different presentations on different structures until something clicks.

10. What's your most memorable moment in fishing? 
Dad catching his first 50 incher (55) with me - on the figure eight.

Bonus! 11. Who got your started in fishing or How did you start fishing? 
Dad owned a fishing resort too - so very easy access to water & fishing.

Bonus! 12. Any odd techniques or things you do to prepare for a tournament or a dayout on the water? 
Not so much in preparing day-prior, as I try to have everything in boat - in case I need to dream something up for a particular situation.

Bonus! 13. Any odd techniques you use while fishing? (strange rigging or using abait differently). 
Usually it's on-water adjustments, but yes, I've attempted to make things more weedless, added weights to lures and systems to get them where needed and to alter action; and, of course changed colors with markers and tape…

Bonus! 14. You can only take 1 rod and reel with you on the boat. What set up doyou choose?
 Bass Pro Shops Muskie Angler combo; with 8' 6" 2 pc. rod. Can do anything with it really, including trolling. 

Bonus! 15. What's your favorite lure/technique for fishing a heatwave? 
Jerkbait (Sebile Stick Shadd)

Bonus! 16. What's your favorite lure/technique for fishing a cold snap / midwinter? 
Slow soft plastics

Bonus! 17. What are a few lures/techniques you have in your "Panic Box"? 
Sebile Stick Shadd, Magic Swimmer; sometimes the Splasher topwater over heavy weeds. Red October tubes with different weights.

Bonus! 18. Besides Muskies, what are some other species you fish for? 
Bass, Panfish, Walleye, Eel Pout, Whitefish and a variety of saltwater fish.

Bonus! 19. Anything you would like to accomplish in the coming years? 
Sharks and get into fly fishing a bit more.

Bonus! 20. Anything you would change about your career at this point? 
Not a thing, other than more time actually fishing.

Bonus! 21. Any non-fishing items that MUST be with you while fishing (something forluck, memories, etc...)? 
Only my pink hat and some Brian Schram Fishin Rock.

Bonus! 22. Who are some anglers that you admire or inspire you? 
Al & Ron Lindner, Larry Dahlberg, Dick Pearson, Doug Johnson … Dave Mercer & Mark Zona.

Bonus! 23. Any fishing superstitions? (keep the banana's off the boat) 
I've done just fine with bananas in the boat. Occasionally, I'll get freaked that I have a bad luck shadow; very seldom, but some days it's almost amazing what can go wrong; fish come close but don't bite, when they do they'll be certain to get off; something that's never broken before (or in the history of the world) breaks; often, meanwhile others are catching fish. (The good news is I know it eventually leaves.)

We would like to thank the Pete for taking the time to do '10 Questions With'. Be sure to check out Pete, Keith and Gary on 'The Next Bite', which is currently in it's 7th season on TV and on the web at www.thenextbite.com. You can also check out Pete's website at www.PeteMaina.com! Get yourself a Pink Hat while you're there!