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!

There are 2 things I absolutely cannot fish without: El Grande Lures and Rage Tail soft plastics. Everyone knows that Rage Tail soft plastics are some of the most innovative designs available and that they just plain catch bigger and better fish! So I thought we'd talk to the man behind the designs - The creator and designer of Rage Tail products - Mr. RageTail Steve Parks!

1. Have you fished in Pa before? If so, where?
I have never fished Pa but have several friends that live in the area who fish many of the lakes, rivers and small bodies of water regularly. From what I understand, the fishing is terrific and there are a large variety of species to target. Hope to have an opportunity to fish there in the near future.

2. What’s your favorite body of water in Pa?
Susquehanna and Delaware River systems seem to be very popular and most likely where I would start. I enjoy the Smallmouth challenge!

3. What’s your favorite time of year to fish in Pa?
Spring and Fall would be my preference as it seems that many of the larger fish are caught during those times.

4. Are there any differences to fishing in Pa vs. other parts of the country?
I'm sure that there are many similarities to the Pa rivers and lakes to all others around the country, but as with most fishing situations, details can change from one area to the next. There in lies the fun of fishing - figuring out the bite.

5. What is your favorite species to target in PA?
For me it would be Smallies and Largemouth

6. When the fish just aren't biting, what lure or presentation do you use to get bites?
I am a soft plastics enthusiast, so tough bites tell me to slow down and often downsize. Go deeper and much tighter to cover. Lightweight C rigging with an Eeliminator or Smokin’ Rooster is always a "go to" method for me. Also, flipping the thickest fish holding cover with smaller jigs or soft plastics is a confidence presentation for me during a slow bite situation.
 
7. How do you stay focused when what was working is now not?
In most cases, I think that if the fish were actively feeding on one particular bait presentation and suddenly shutdown, a slight change in depth, structure type, size of bait and speed of movement will get you back in the game. To pattern the bite is important, but to change with the fish's preference throughout the day is the key to having a truly productive day of fishing.
 
8. What’s your most memorable moment in fishing?
There are many, but each of them were back in the early 60's and 70's when I fished with my Father... he was my teacher!  
 
9. Who got your started in fishing or How did you start fishing?
Answered above.
 
10. Any odd techniques or things you do to prepare for a tournament or a day out on the water?
My confidence is in my preparation and in every part of my world. I enjoy these types of questions because it gives an opportunity to share a phrase that I coined several years ago..."Prepare to be Lucky".  I know that if my planning is good and I am prepared to the max, then I can meet the majority of challenges that arise as well as be able to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself. Thus the saying "Luck is where preparation and opportunity meets".

11. Any odd techniques you use while fishing? (Strange rigging or using a bait differently).
I live in Texas and there are a variety of water types here that give me a variety of needs for change. During the mid 70's while fishing lakes with heavy concentrations of deep grass and Big Bass, I saw the need for a weighted hook presentation on a big worm that would allow a slow horizontal fall, yet with a slithering tail trailing above and behind. This was accomplished by pinching a splitshot on the belly of the hook creating something like today’s swimbait hooks. The advantage of this set up allows the worm to settle on top of the grass maintaining a basic horizontal profile. When the rod tip is lifted slightly, the head of the bait lifts easily and doesn't have a nose weight to pull up and through the grass, which can cause fouling as well as a poor bait presentation. Fishing a worm in the grass that is loaded up and hidden with stems of torn grass on the head doesn't get bit very often.  I use this exact presentation with all of my soft plastics with great results. It is slow, but deadly on big fish. I have never fished a senko style bait, but this set up will give the same slow horizontal fall, yet I get more action and more bait profiles to choose from. If you have an opportunity to review our Rage Tail Monster Bass videos, you will notice some with the (Moaner Brand) Weighted hook in their mouths. 

12. You can only take 1 rod and reel with you on the boat. What set up do you choose?
7'4" or longer, Med Heavy Falcon Cara series rod with a KVD 6.6 to 7.1 gear reel. Gamma Fluoro 25# for clear water and Braid for anything else.

13. What’s your favorite lure/technique for fishing a heatwave?
C rig Eeliminator or Smokin’ Rooster on steep drop points and/or Anaconda or Thumper worm on deep timber ledges and/or flipping the Rage Lobster in deep timber along River channel bends.

14. What’s your favorite lure/technique for fishing a cold snap / mid winter?
Dragging or flipping HackAttack Jig and Lobster Trailer or C rigging an Eeliminator. 

15. What are a few lures/techniques you have in your “Panic Box”?
I will change colors, profiles, speed of fall, types of presentation and structure type until I find the bite again... No need to panic, only a need to change and stay focused.
 
16. Besides Bass, what are some other species you fish for?
Stripers, South America Peacocks, fresh water Salmon and Trout, and on Salt water flats - Red Fish, Speckled Trout, etc.

17. Anything you would like to accomplish in the coming years?
Along with designing more soft plastic Rage Tail Products, move into designing other types of fishing lures and products as well.

18. Anything you would change about your career at this point?
Not really, I am blessed with the opportunity to do what I love more than anything else... Designing fishing products that create their own life like action, which makes fishing easier for those who might not have as much knowledge and experience as others.
 
19. Any non-fishing items that MUST be with you while fishing (something for luck, memories, etc...)?
The three P's...Preparation, Passion and Persistence = Confidence

20. Who are some anglers that you admire or inspire you?
Anyone who enjoys any fishing experience for no other reason than, "Because they FISHED"

21. Any fishing superstitions? (Keep the banana’s off the boat?)
Yes and it haunts me regularly and has proven true too many times... If I go for the small fries, the Big Girls don't like me, BUT If I go for the Big Girls.....

We would like to thank Steve for taking the time to do '10 Questions With...'. Check out Steve's awesome designs at http://www.ragetail.com and http://www.strikeking.com. Also, join the Rage Talk forums at http://www.ragetalk.com

Craig was nice enough to take time out of his busy schedule and answer some questions we had for him! We couldn't have picked a more perfect angler to launch this segment. He did so well, we went over our original plan of 10 questions (so we all get some bonus questions at the end!). So here it is in all it's random glory:

1. Have you fished in Pa before? If so, where?
I grew up in Northwest PA, I just moved to SC 8 years ago.  

2. What’s your favorite body of water in Pa?
Well that one is tough, but my favorite lake would have to be Conneaut Lake.  You can hit smallies and largemouths.  It has great grass and a lot of hidden structure.  Deep or shallow you can find fish however you want to target them.  You can also get a bonus musky or pike.



3. What’s your favorite time of year to fish in Pa?
That one is easy - Fall.  After the summer boats are all put away you can go out on the lake and pretty much have it all to yourself.  I think the fishing is better in the fall.  The fish really seem to put on the feed bag.  

4. Are there any differences to fishing in Pa vs. other parts of the country?
The South is made up primarily of really large reservoirs.  A lot of PA’s waters are good old natural lakes

5. What’s your biggest fish/limit from Pa?
I have a 6.2 pound smallie out of Erie and 6.4 largemouth out of Wilhelm, 49.5 inch musky out of French Creek.

6. Any spots in Pa you’d like to fish that you haven’t yet?
There are so many places in the Eastern part of the state that I never got to; Lake Nockamixon is one of them.
              
7. What is your favorite species to target in PA?
I am a true bass fisherman but in PA you can get in the middle of the steelhead run. During spring and fall there are plenty of musky and pike you can target.  Down here in SC we have Jacks, 2-3 foot pike and that is about as big as they get.
 
8. When the fish just aren't biting, what lure or presentation do you use to get bites?
I go with my confidence baits.  I have 2 choices - if conditions dictate backing down, the jig is my choice. If I feel I can get a reaction, it is the Fluke.
 
9. How do you stay focused when what was working is now not?
The biggest thing is realizing it is not working; you can be fishing a long time before you even realize that something has changed.  But after you have been fishing a while you’ll notice that most patterns are time oriented.  You have a morning bite and then it slows down and you have a secondary pattern for most of the rest of the day.  Or you have a current pattern when the water is moving.  

10. What’s your most memorable moment in fishing?
I was fortunate enough to win the TBF National Championship in 2008.  Watching my grandson catch his first panfish all on his own.  While I was the PA State Youth Director my son won the State Championship and I got to hand him the trophy.

BONUS QUESTION! 11. Who got you started in fishing or how did you start fishing?
I started fishing with my Poppy, he would take me along while he was bullhead fishing and I would try to catch bass.

BONUS QUESTION! 12. Any odd techniques or things you do to prepare for a tournament or a day out on the water?
I have 2 songs that I listen to while I am getting ready Aerosmith’s Mama Kin and Spongebob Squarepant’s Sweet Victory.

BONUS QUESTION! 13. Any odd techniques you use while fishing? (strange rigging or using a bait differently).
I fish the Fluke as fast as possible; I jerk the bait very hard and just give a slight pause for the fish to engulf it.

BONUS QUESTION! 14. You can only take 1 rod and reel with you on the boat. What set up do you choose?
That would have to be my jig rod.  It is the most versatile lure in the water.  Fast or slow deep or shallow you can use the jig anywhere. And just for a bonus it is a big fish bait of choice.

BONUS QUESTION! 15. What’s your favorite lure/technique for fishing a heat wave?
Well the “heat wave” down here starts in mid-June and runs until late August.  We have a lot of blueback herring that the bass just start following after post spawn so topwaters and swimbaits work well.

BONUS QUESTION! 16. What’s your favorite lure/technique for fishing a cold snap / mid winter?
The winters down in SC are not quite as cold as the winters in PA but the fish still have a winter pattern.  I like planting brush piles and working my dropshot in them.  

BONUS QUESTION! 17. What are a few lures/techniques you have in your “Panic Box”?
When it gets really tough and I do not have a clue what is going on the shaky head will give me a place to start.

BONUS QUESTION! 18. Besides bass, what are some other species you fish for?
If I am out practicing or just play fishing I will not pass up active fish.  Whether it is a school of stripers that pop up in front of me, a bed of bream, a school of white bass on my graph I will take advantage of any fish that gets in the way.

BONUS QUESTION! 19. Anything you would like to accomplish in the coming years?
I would love to get back on the tour, but it takes a lot of financial obligations to run the circuit and without a major corporate sponsorship it is just too hard to do.

BONUS QUESTION! 20. Anything you would change about your career at this point?
No not really, I try not to dwell in the past so as far as that goes I made the choices that were right for me in that moment in time. 

BONUS QUESTION! 21. Any non-fishing items that MUST be with you while fishing (something for luck, memories, etc...)?
I have a rod that my Poppy used. It is a fiberglass stick of unknown origin. I don’t use it but it is always on my boat.

BONUS QUESTION! 22. Who are some anglers that you admire or inspire you?
There are so many truly great people that fish.  Larry Nixon is a really nice guy and he will talk to you just like a normal person. KVD is a huge inspiration.  I swear he can find fish in a bathtub.  And he does it fishing the way he wants –amazing

BONUS QUESTION! 23. Any fishing superstitions? (keep the banana’s off the boat?)
Other than the music thing not really, I like bananas.


We would like to thank Craig for taking the time to do this segment with us! Be sure to check out Craig's website at http://www.bass-hawg.com