Cave Run Lake Kentucky Muskie Fishing Guides

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT...

Our guide staff is made up of dedicated professionals working together, combining their knowledge and experience to give our customers exceptional quality every day on the water.  From lodging to tackle Kentucky Mountain Muskies will do everything we can to give you a lifetime of memories.

When you book a trip with Cave Run Muskie Guide Service you can expect complete satisfaction.  From the moment you contact the guide service we will make your vacation as enjoyable as possible.  Our guide service has created one of the most impressive, professional muskie staffs in the world today.

Our guides have line class records, the states largest registered fish and largest number of total fish caught in a single year.  These are the elements that we have used to create a guide service that keeps people returning year after year.  We strive everyday to provide quality staff, boats and equipment.  If you have a map feel free to bring it along.  You may be spending an entire week at Cave Run, a couple of days with our professional staff and you will know when, were, why and how.  During your stay we will continue to give you any information needed.

After booking your fishing adventure with us you will be directed to Mountain Muskie Lodge.  Your confirmation letter and  map will direct you from major intestates into the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Cave Run Lake recreation area.  As you leave the interstate and head towards the foothills a stop will be required, We are in a rural area, so to fully enjoy the stay a packed cooler is necessary, this is also a dry county.  There is nothing like a fresh grilled steak and a cold one among friends after an exciting day on the water with our staff, the fish stories are sure to fill the night air. Small restaurants are located in the area and a full service city is located within thirty minutes.

STARTING THE DAY...

As the sun rises you should be preparing for one of the most educational, fact filled, and fun fishing adventures you have ever been introduced to. Packing a simple lunch, snacks and drinks is a good idea.  We do have coolers on the boats, but do not provide lunch or drinks.  Rain gear and polarized sunglasses will also make your day more enjoyable and productive.  You can end the day any time you wish but we offer you a full 8 hours on the water, sometimes more.

THE NIGHT SHIFT...

Don't overlook our July-August night fishing!  This is an adventure for the true grit outdoorsman.  As the summertime traffic of jet skis and boaters start to leave the lake a small group of anglers will show up at the launching ramps. 

The years of experience obtained by Cave Run Guide Service has taught them to consistently boat fish during the pressured days of summer, NIGHT FISHING is the key to busy lakes on summer days with heavy fishing pressure. 

While you're on vacation with the family this summer give yourself an enjoyable evening on the water with a qualified guide.  If you are a business executive in Lexington or Ashland that can't seem to get away during the day, spend the night with a guide on Cave Run Lake. 

Due to the mature nature of this adventure only one client per boat please.  This type of fishing takes a lot of concentration due to sight disadvantages. 

When you battle a fish at night, even the smallest muskies seem like the Lockness monster.  These nighttime adventures start at $150.00 per person, due to safety precautions, fishing experience is required.

Muskie Fishing Packages

Packages Include:  Guided Day Fishing, Boat, Lodging, All Gear.  Prices include up to two people.

• 1 Day -   $300.00
• 2 Days - $675.00
• 3 Days - $925.00

Fish Only Rates:  Prices include up to two people

• 1/2 Day - $200.00
• 1 Day -    $300.00

For turkey and deer information please call: (800) 452-1600

About The Guides

Tony Grant

Tony Grant's fishing experience dates back to his childhood. He has been fishing and guiding for muskies on Cave Run Lake, in Kentucky since the late 80's. With this kind of experience, he has gained a wealth of knowledge relating to the "King of Freshwater", the mighty muskie. Early on in his muskie fishing adventures, Tony realized that this fish was far superior to any other freshwater predator. Tony took his love for muskie fishing one step further when he started guiding for the local marina and then took another major step when he started Cave Run Muskie Guide service in 1992. The guide service is now one of the largest services of its kind in North America.
 
In 1999 Tony started spending his summers in Northeastern Wisconsin where he started guiding a few years later. He found quick success with giant Hybrid muskies during a short summer period he calls "Tiger Time". Tony and his clients have had great success in the Vilas County Musky Marathon, where clients have landed 46 Top Twenty entries while Tony has taken 3 First Place and 14 Top Five awards.

The Professional Musky Tournament Trail (PMTT) has been a big part of Tony's fishing career with much success. He has taken first place victories at Eagle River in 2002 and the St Croix in 2009; he has been in the Top Five for "Team of the Year" 4 times and is in the Top Ten money winners on the trail history. He also has taken top finishes in IMTT and has been a 2 Time Champion in Kentucky's Cabin Fever Challenge in 2002 and 2008.

Tony has focused on educating others on the art and technique of muskie fishing with a "catch and release", "give back what you take" attitude. Tony is fortunate to be able to make a living supporting something he truly enjoys so much.  Educating America's youth on the numerous conservation efforts for muskie as well as all species has been a top priority over the years.  Tony has given over 350 educational seminars and by including many appearances at the Chicago. Milwaukee, Ohio and Minnesota Musky Expos.

In 2006 Tony joined Gregg Thomas forming Musky Road Rules "Schools & Clinics", traveling to many cites and lakes across the mid west with educational, informative and entertaining seminars. You can find articles written by Tony in numerous outdoor publications and on several Internet sites. He is a contributing writer Musky Hunter Magazine on his southern techniques that he has successfully used throughout muskie country. He has done many outdoor radio shows including the ESPN radio network in southern Ohio. The highlight of Tony's television career thus far was a spot on Cincinnati's "Sports of all Sorts" Fishin Edition as well as a Co-hosting spot on several Outdoor Connection shows. Tony also appeared on "The Tom Richards Fishing Show" aired on the Outdoor Channel, North Country Outdoors and Mike Keyes television series as well as many Badfish videos.

Although, he also realized that even this superior species needs protection from its many adversaries, most of which are caused by mankind. Tony's efforts to protect this fish far exceed his dedication to catch this fish. While Tony truly wants to show as many people as he can the thrill and adrenaline rush of muskie fishing, he also wants to be sure that our natural resources are protected by these same people who have learned to appreciate the true value they possess. Please take pride in protecting our natural resources.

Scott Salchli

Scott has been fishing Cave Run and its contributories 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.

Now his step daughter Sara holds the Current Kentucky State Record caught while on a day on the lake with Scott. Scott shares his fishing knowledge with Kentucky youths through the local organizations year after year. Scott is a full time employee of Coca Cola and was able to start guiding part time over 10 years ago.

He now spends nearly 100 days per year guiding and competitive angling. He is viewed by many as one of the best muskie anglers on Cave Run and has shown his skills while competing in the PMTT with several top ten finishes and a victory on the Madison Chain in Wisconsin. Scott also has taken many top spots in Kentucky's Trinity trail. To add to his accomplishments, with KSMC he has been awarded Largest Release in 1999, 2002, and 2003.  Most Released in 1999 and 2000.  He also has been awarded the Largest Release in the state of Kentucky in 2002.  In March 2002, he received the International award for Lunker of the Month. Maybe his most notable 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 qualifying events, this feat has never been done before in the 6 year history of the trail.

Sara Rerry with New Kentucky State Record Muskie 54" - 47lbs caught while fishing with our own Mountain Muskie Guide Scott Salchli

Charlie Thompson

Charlie Thompson was born and raised in eastern Kentucky was taught musky fishing from his grandpa a legionary river and creek muskie angler from the early days. Charlie has been seen for over 20 years casting for Cave Run's muskies. His back home, down to earth approach to guiding has been experienced by anglers all over for well over a decade. He has shown his skills in the Professional Musky Tournament Trail with top ten finishes, truly one of the "GREAT GUYS" on Cave Run Lake. Charlie can be heard at Mountain Muskie Lodge "pick in and a grin in" at most of our outings.

Lance Seasor

Lance has been chasing these fish since the age of 14 and once he caught his first muskie he knew there was no other fish that he wanted to catch. He has been guiding anglers of all experience levels from beginner to the seasoned angler for the last 6 years. Lance also is a tournament angler and has 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.  Lance is the son of another one of our guides Darrell Seasor, like father like soon they share the same passion. You can see one of these guys or both nearly any day on Cave Run. There obsession has the one the water almost every day whether guiding or not. 

Darrell Seasor

Darrell has been fishing Cave Run Lake for fifteen years.  His obsession with musky fishing began when a friend asked Darrell to take him turkey hunting and in return, he would take Darrell on his first adventure musky fishing.  From the first day, he was "hooked".  Although he is not a full-time fishing guide, he is able to spend the majority of his time on the lake during peak seasons as well as most weekends. 

Jimmy Barnes

Jimmy's fishing started many years ago chasing smallmouth bass on Dale Hollow Lake on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. However it took just a few trips to Cave Run to convert him into a blown musky fanatic and has become his exclusive fish for nearly ten years now. In 2010 Jimmy will start his fourth year guiding and has been competing in the professional trail for his 6th year. Jimmy's top PMTT finish was last year when he took Runner-UP in the Cave Run Event and landed in the money in other out of state events. Jimmy's clients have boated many fine muskies both trolling and casting.

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