I was 12 when my dad and I started our musky fishing career. It was early in the morning; we were fishing a shallow weed flat with crankbaits; and that is when it happened. I had not caught a musky up until this point. I was bringing the crankbait in, and just before the bait came to the surface it was stopped by a sudden jolt. The fish immediately went straight up in the air. All I could do was hold on! The fish is going nuts in the water, and I, like a monkey on crack, am trying to control the fish and myself. After the mayhem settled we were able to net the fish. Looking at the fish, I knew I had a monster at least four feet long. We pulled the tape out to measure the beast, and yep, just like I said 37 inches. It wasn't the monster that I had originally thought, but it did change my life forever. I knew from then on that muskies were the only fish that I wanted to catch, and from that day on I have only fished for other species a hand full of times. I started guiding early. I began working for Cave Run Guide Service when I was 17 and have continued working for them up until now. Over the past five years I have grown as fisherman and as a person, learning as much as I can about the fish I love. While guiding I was fortunate enough to have the largest release for Cave Run in my boat for the 1999 and 2000 seasons. Also, I put countless number of other clients on fish and made their trips enjoyable. I am also a member of the Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. and the Kentucky Silver Musky Club. While being a member of these clubs I have won many of the annual Master release contests and tournaments that the clubs sponsor. Both organizations played an important part of my development as a fisherman and I couldn't have made it to where I am at today without them. 1999 was the biggest year for me professionally. This was the inaugural season for the Professional Musky Tournament Trail. Finally something I had been hoping for; so I jumped at the chance. The trail consisted of four qualifier tournaments and a final Invitational tournament. I was fortunate enough along with the help of my partner, David Grochowski, to win the "Top Gun of the Year" honor, and the Invitational Championship. The 2000 season has just come to an end, and though we did not fair as well, we did manage to grab third place in the Invitational, making us the only team to place in both. So, here I am now starting my own guide service in hopes of sharing the joy of musky fishing to all that want to become involved. My guide staff and I will work for YOU, because above it all, it's about the fishing and that's it!
Gregg Thomas' Battle the Beast Guide Service
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Who do I blame for my Musky Fever? I guess my neighbor and dad are the guilty parties. They are the one's who got me interested in this crazy sport. I can remember going to my neighbor's house and listening to his stories of fish that were as long as the coffee table and as wide as a railroad tie.
Scott has been fishing Cave Run and its contributaries since childhood with his father, Larry Salchli.
He started his muskie fishing career at the tender age of 8 with twenty legal size fish by the age of 12. Scott started his guiding career five years ago. Scott is a full time employee of Coca-Cola. He takes several full weeks vacation to spend with his clients while also spending every weekend chasing these crazy fish. Scott and his clients are on the water more that most full time muskie guides in the country. He is touring pro on the Professional Muskie Tournament Trail. He has multiple top ten finishes to his credit. Scott is also a three time world champiohship qualifier. He is an active member of Kentucky Silver Muskie Club and Muskies, Inc. To add to his accomplishments, with KSMC he has been awarded Largest Relase in 1999, 2002, and 2003. Most Released in 1999 and 2000. He also has been awared the Largest Release in the state of Kentucky in 2002. In March 2002, he recieved the International award for Lunker of the Month. Maybe his most notible accomplishment is a PMTT record setter, Scott and partner Anthony Smith have become the only team in the trails history to land legal fish in each of the 2004 quailfing events, this feat has never been done before in the 6 year history of the trail. Scott is on the pro staff for Producer Tackle, Frabill, T-N-T Tackle, Grim Reaper, Lamiglas, Okuma, Mepps (Sheldon Incorporated), Power Pro, and Muskie Innovations
I
have been chasing these fish since the age of 14 and once I caught
my first muskie, I knew there was no other fish that I wanted to
catch. I have been guiding anglers of all experience levels from
beginner to the seasoned angler for the last 6 years. I also am a
tournament angler and have participated in the PMTT every year since
2004 and also participating in the Trinity Muskie Trail and winning
the May 2008 Green River Tournament and along with my partner (my
father Darrell Seasor) finished 3rd in the championship of the 2008
Trinity Muskie Trail. Muskie fishing is truly a passion for me and
something that even if I'm not guiding I'm out doing on my own to
stay on the hot bite.
Charlie
for over a decade has been one of the most well like and respected
guides on Cave Run Lake. His finishes in Cave Run tournaments has landed
him high on the list. Charlie's year-round knowledge of Cave Run Lake is
second to none.
