Steven Paul — Professional Musky Angler, International Award-Winning Lure Designer & Author

Chief Development Director, Livingston Lures | Co-Owner, Musky 360 | USCG-Licensed Captain | Tennessee State-Record Muskellunge Holder | Two-Time Author | Host, Musky 360 Podcast & Musky Shop TV

Steven Paul is an internationally recognized professional musky angler, fishing guide, author, inventor, media personality, and award-winning fishing lure designer whose work spans nearly every aspect of modern muskellunge fishing. From pursuing trophy-class muskies across North America to developing internationally recognized fishing tackle, publishing advanced instructional books, and helping lead the next generation of fishing education, Paul has built a career combining exceptional firsthand experience with product innovation and industry leadership.

As Chief Development Director for Livingston Lures, Paul has designed and developed an extensive portfolio of modern musky and pike fishing lures, with his work receiving major international recognition in Europe. His designs include the award-winning Kraken, Menace, and Brute, alongside the Titan, Titan Jr., Magnus, Mustang, Banshee, Critter, Kamakaze, Big Makk, and the innovative Blade Planer Boards.

Paul is also the co-owner and leader of Musky 360 alongside Hall of Fame angler Joe Bucher. Through the Musky 360 platform, his books, magazine contributions, podcasts, and instructional videos, Paul has developed an extensive library of educational material focused on understanding muskellunge behavior, locating trophy fish, improving fishing techniques, and applying modern fishing technology.

Unlike professionals whose careers center on a single discipline, Paul's work connects daily experience on the water with the engineering of fishing tackle, outdoor journalism, digital publishing, and the commercial development of products used by anglers internationally.

A Lifetime Devoted to Musky Fishing

A third-generation musky angler originally from West Virginia, Steven Paul was raised in a family with a deep history of pursuing muskellunge. That early exposure developed into a lifelong commitment to understanding the species and ultimately a full-time professional career.

Today, Paul spends more than 300 days annually on the water, guiding, conducting tackle research and development, and pursuing muskies across the United States and Canada. Few occupations provide the opportunity to observe muskellunge behavior under such a broad range of conditions, and Paul has made those observations the foundation of his fishing philosophy.

His experience covers everything from the powerful, constantly changing reservoir systems of Tennessee to the expansive lakes of the Canadian Shield. He has devoted considerable time to legendary musky fisheries including Eagle Lake, Lake of the Woods, and Wabigoon Lake, where his pursuit of exceptional fish is closely connected to his work testing and refining new fishing tackle.

As an angler and educator, Paul approaches musky fishing as a system of interconnected variables. Water temperature, structure, forage distribution, seasonal movements, fishing pressure, and environmental stability all influence how muskies use their surroundings. Understanding the relationship between those factors has become central to his instructional work and his approach to consistently locating and catching trophy-class fish.

Tennessee State-Record Muskellunge Holder

One of Paul's most recognized fishing accomplishments came on March 2, 2017, when he landed a muskellunge weighing 43 pounds, 14 ounces from Melton Hill Reservoir, establishing the Tennessee state record for the species.

The accomplishment is officially documented by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and remains an important milestone in the history of Tennessee musky fishing.

Paul's accomplishments extend beyond his record-setting fish. Years of fishing across North America have produced numerous trophy muskies, including fish exceeding numeours 50 inches from major Canadian fisheries. His experience targeting large, mature muskellunge has become especially valuable to his work in advanced fishing education and fishing lure development.

His emphasis on locating exceptional fish, rather than simply maximizing the number caught, has influenced his approach to structure analysis, deep-water presentations, controlled trolling, and specialized trophy-fishing techniques.

Founder of Tennessee Musky Guide Service

Paul is the owner and operator of Tennessee Musky Guide Service, a professional musky fishing operation serving anglers seeking both trophy-fishing opportunities and advanced fishing instruction.

As a United States Coast Guard-licensed captain, Paul guides on Tennessee's reservoirs and rivers, including Melton Hill, the Clinch River, Parksville Lake, Great Falls, Center Hill, and the Collins River.

His guiding career has provided him with an unusually detailed understanding of southern muskellunge fisheries, where fluctuating water levels, current generation, changing water clarity, and seasonal temperature variations can dramatically affect fish movements.

The demanding nature of these fisheries has encouraged Paul to develop techniques that extend beyond traditional northern musky fishing approaches. His work includes specialized trolling systems, deep-water presentations, precision boat control, and methods for identifying productive structure under constantly changing conditions.

Professional guiding also provides the real-world testing environment for his fishing equipment designs. Rather than developing tackle strictly through theory or laboratory testing, Paul works directly with muskies throughout the year, evaluating lure performance across different fisheries, weather conditions, and seasonal patterns.

International Award-Winning Fishing Lure Designer

One of Steven Paul's most significant contributions to modern musky and pike fishing has been his extensive work developing modern musky fishing tackle.

As Chief Development Director for Livingston Lures, Paul has helped establish an innovative line of predator-fishing products designed to improve lure control, increase presentation versatility, and address the evolving demands of serious anglers.

His approach combines traditional craftsmanship, physical prototyping, hydrodynamic experimentation, and extensive field testing. Many of his designs begin as individual concepts intended to solve a particular fishing problem and undergo repeated refinement before reaching commercial production.

Paul's product-development philosophy emphasizes meaningful functionality over cosmetic innovation. Adjustable weighting systems, replaceable components, specialized lure actions, durability, and presentation control are recurring elements throughout his designs.

Paul's work has achieved significant recognition within the international fishing tackle industry, including three major award-winning lure releases.

International Fishing Tackle Awards

2024 — Angling International LIVE Product Showcase, Budapest, Hungary

The Livingston Lures Kraken, designed by Steven Paul earned a first-place award at the Angling International LIVE Product Showcase. The Magnus, another Steven Paul design, also received runner-up recognition.

2025 — EFTTEX, Brussels, Belgium

The Livingston Lures Menace, designed by Steven Paul, won first place in the Spinning & Baitcasting Soft Lure category at EFTTEX 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. The winning entry featured the Menace in the Gremlin Bottle Rocket color.

2026 — EFTTEX, Barcelona, Spain

The Livingston Lures Brute earned first place in the Soft Lure category at EFTTEX 2026. Designed by Paul, the Brute represented another major international achievement in his tackle-development career.

These successive international awards highlight Paul's ability to develop distinct, commercially relevant fishing products across multiple lure categories, from hard-bodied hybrid jerkbaits to advanced soft-plastic predator lures.

His work has also been profiled by the international fishing trade publication Angling International, which has documented his approach to design, experimentation, and the development of tackle for North American and European predator anglers.

Steven Paul's Livingston Lures Designs

Steven Paul's fishing tackle portfolio includes dive-and-rise jerkbaits, hybrid hard-and-soft-plastic lures, swimbaits, crankbaits, chatterbaits, topwater lures, and advanced trolling equipment.

The following designs are part of his documented Livingston Lures development work.

• Titan — An innovative dive-and-rise jerkbait featuring adjustable weighting, a replaceable soft-plastic tail, and multiple retrieve options. Designed to make traditional jerkbait presentations more accessible while retaining the versatility demanded by experienced trophy anglers.

• Titan Jr. — A compact version of the Titan concept, developed for downsized presentations, shallow-water situations, cold fronts, and fisheries where smaller forage dominates.

• Kraken — An internationally award-winning hybrid jerkbait combining hard-body durability, soft-plastic action, adjustable weighting, and versatile movement characteristics. The Kraken earned first-place recognition at the 2024 Angling International LIVE Product Showcase.

• Magnus — A large predator swimbait with an interchangeable soft-plastic tail and adjustable weighting system, designed to provide control across multiple depths and retrieve styles. The Magnus received runner-up recognition at the 2024 Angling International LIVE Product Showcase.

• Mustang — A high-performance predator swimbait engineered around a distinctive swimming action, durable construction, and the ability to effectively target muskies and pike across a wide range of conditions.

• Banshee — A versatile musky and pike crankbait featuring a pronounced wobble and removable weighting system that allows anglers to modify the lure's rise rate and behavior during pauses.

• Critter — A compact predator lure developed for multiple presentation styles, including straight retrieves, jigging, controlled falls, and modern forward-facing sonar applications.

• Menace — A specialized rubber musky jerkbait developed for aggressive pull-and-pause presentations, controlled descents, and reaction strikes. The Menace earned first-place international recognition at EFTTEX 2025.

• Kamakaze — A purpose-built musky and pike chatterbait featuring a specialized vibrating blade and a profile designed to deliver powerful vibration through a variety of retrieve speeds.

• Big Makk — A large, rotating-tail topwater lure incorporating a specialized No Roll lip design for improved tracking and stability during slow and high-speed retrieves. The design and its ongoing development have also benefited from contributions by veteran musky angler Steve Herbeck.

• Brute — EFTTEX 2026 Award Winner — An internationally recognized soft-plastic predator lure developed for trophy musky and pike fishing. The Brute combines a specialized body and tail design with Livingston's electronic sound technology and forward-facing sonar optimization.

• The Blade Planer Boards — An original planer board system invented and developed by Steven Paul to address limitations in conventional trolling equipment, especially when pulling oversized predator lures.

Paul's ongoing development work also includes expanded predator lure concepts and designs such as the Lil Makk, Mustang Mini, Mustang Max, Critter Max, and Banshee Max, reflecting his continuing involvement in Livingston Lures' research and product-development pipeline.

Inventor of The Blade Planer Boards

Beyond fishing lures, Paul is the inventor of The Blade Planer Boards, a specialized trolling system developed through more than a decade of experimentation and refinement.

The Blade originated from Paul's dissatisfaction with conventional planer boards that struggled to maintain their position, stability, and effectiveness while trolling oversized musky lures, particularly under challenging water conditions.

His goal was to rethink the underlying geometry and performance of planer boards rather than simply modify an existing design.

The resulting Blade system was developed to offer reliable tracking, strong lateral pull, and stable performance while handling a wide range of trolling applications. Its versatility extends beyond muskellunge fishing to northern pike, walleye, striped bass, and other freshwater and saltwater species.

Originally developed and refined through smaller-scale production and extensive field testing, The Blade eventually entered broader commercial production through Livingston Lures.

Its development represents an important part of Paul's professional work, demonstrating his ability to apply practical fishing experience to mechanical equipment design outside the traditional fishing lure category.

Author of Two Advanced Musky Fishing Books

Steven Paul is the author of two books focused on advanced muskellunge fishing, fish behavior, and the decision-making processes required to become a more effective angler.

Next Level Musky Fishing

Next Level Musky Fishing explores advanced techniques and strategies for locating and catching muskellunge.

The book examines the relationship between structure, fishing technology, presentation, trolling, fish behavior, and the changing conditions that determine successful musky fishing patterns.

Rather than concentrating on introductory fishing advice, Paul developed the book to help experienced anglers deepen their understanding of why certain techniques work and how to apply that knowledge to different situations.

Musky IQ: Analyze & Execute

Musky IQ: Analyze & Execute, released in 2026, builds upon the foundation established in Paul's first book.

The book introduces a system-driven approach to interpreting fishing conditions, understanding muskellunge behavior, identifying important environmental variables, and making effective decisions during actual fishing situations.

Its central focus is analytical fishing: teaching anglers to examine what is happening around them, eliminate unproductive assumptions, and execute strategies based on observable conditions.

Together, these books establish Paul's contribution to musky fishing instruction as more than a collection of techniques. They represent an integrated approach to developing fishing knowledge, judgment, and precision.

Field & Stream Writer and Fishing Equipment Tester

Paul is a contributing writer and fishing equipment tester for Field & Stream, one of America's most established outdoor publications.

His published work includes instructional material covering seasonal musky fishing, trophy-fish tactics, equipment selection, responsible fishing practices, and approaches to catching muskellunge under challenging conditions.

His work also involves hands-on testing of fishing equipment, including reels used for casting, trolling, and targeting large predator species.

Paul's equipment evaluations draw directly from the extensive hours he spends guiding and fishing, allowing products to be assessed under actual fishing conditions rather than relying exclusively on published specifications.

Outdoor Journalism and International Fishing Publications

In addition to his work with Field & Stream, Paul has contributed educational and technical material to several established fishing and outdoor publications.

His work includes contributions to Great Lakes Angler , Midwest Outdoors, and other print publications. 

These publications have provided platforms for Paul to discuss trophy musky fishing, modern lure development, Canadian Shield fisheries, forward-facing sonar, electronic fishing technology, and the evolving demands of predator fishing across North America and Europe.

His writing increasingly connects practical angling experience with the technical considerations involved in designing and using modern fishing equipment.

Paul has also shared his expertise through seminars, interviews, podcasts, videos, and instructional programs, contributing to a broad body of educational work available to musky anglers internationally.

Co-Owner of Musky 360 and Host of the Musky 360 Podcast

Steven Paul and Hall of Fame angler Joe Bucher lead Musky 360, a digital media and education platform dedicated to muskellunge fishing.

The Musky 360 app and website bring together instructional articles, fishing videos, professional insights, podcasts, fishing reports, tackle information, and educational resources designed to help anglers improve their understanding of musky fishing.

As a co-owner and the host of the Musky 360 Podcast, Paul plays a central role in developing content and connecting anglers with experienced guides, professional fishermen, and other knowledgeable contributors.

His podcasts and educational work explore subjects ranging from seasonal fishing patterns and lure presentation to electronics, trophy-fish location, trolling techniques, and the challenges of fishing across different environments.

Musky 360 reflects Paul's broader commitment to making specialized fishing knowledge available to anglers who want to develop a deeper understanding of the sport.

Musky Shop TV Host and Industry Consultant

Paul also works closely with The Musky Shop, a major specialty retailer serving the international muskellunge fishing community.

As host of Musky Shop TV and an industry consultant, he contributes to fishing education, product testing, tackle development, and the creation of instructional media.

Through Musky Shop TV, Paul has produced and hosted material covering fishing equipment, lure selection, seasonal fishing techniques, and practical strategies for anglers pursuing muskellunge.

His association with The Musky Shop also provides opportunities to collaborate with other influential personalities throughout the fishing industry, bridging the relationship between professional anglers, manufacturers, retailers, and the broader fishing community.

A Modern Approach to Trophy Muskellunge Fishing

The defining characteristic of Steven Paul's fishing philosophy is his emphasis on understanding the decisions behind successful fishing.

His approach recognizes that individual muskellunge fisheries differ considerably in productivity, forage populations, fishing pressure, temperature, structure, and seasonal behavior.

Techniques that succeed on a northern Canadian Shield lake may require significant adaptation to work effectively on a southern reservoir, while approaches developed for shallow weed-oriented fish may be entirely inappropriate for targeting mature muskies occupying deep-water structure.

Paul's work encourages anglers to examine these differences and develop strategies tailored to the actual conditions they encounter.

This philosophy has influenced his guiding career, instructional books, media work, and fishing lure designs. Whether developing a new lure, testing equipment, teaching a client, or discussing advanced musky tactics, he consistently emphasizes the importance of understanding why a particular decision should produce results.

Continuing to Advance Musky and Pike Fishing

Steven Paul's professional career represents the convergence of multiple disciplines that are often separated within the fishing industry.

He is an active professional guide who develops commercial fishing tackle, an accomplished angler who publishes advanced instructional books, a media host who creates educational content, and an industry development director whose products have earned international recognition.

His work connects the demands of catching fish with the challenges of designing equipment, developing practical fishing systems, and communicating advanced knowledge to other anglers.

Through Livingston Lures, Tennessee Musky Guide Service, Musky 360, The Musky Shop, and his contributions to established fishing publications, Paul continues to expand his influence across the sport.

His career is distinguished not by any single accomplishment but by the breadth of his contributions to modern muskellunge fishing, encompassing firsthand fishing experience, original product development, publishing, broadcasting, and professional education.

As a leader of Musky 360 alongside Joe Bucher, Steven Paul continues to pursue the same objective that has guided his professional work for decades: developing a deeper understanding of muskellunge and helping other anglers apply that knowledge more effectively.

Steven Paul — Professional Credentials and Accomplishments

• Chief Development Director, Livingston Lures

• International award-winning musky and pike lure designer

• Three international first-place lure awards associated with the Kraken, Menace, and Brute

• Designer of an extensive Livingston Lures predator-fishing product portfolio

• Inventor of The Blade Planer Boards

• USCG-licensed captain

• Tennessee state-record muskellunge holder

• Owner and operator of Tennessee Musky Guide Service

• Co-owner and leader of Musky 360 with Joe Bucher

• Host of the Musky 360 Podcast

• Host of Musky Shop TV

• Author of Next Level Musky Fishing

• Author of Musky IQ: Analyze & Execute

• Field & Stream contributing writer and equipment tester

• Musky Shop consultant and educational content creator

• Professional fishing guide 

• Experienced trophy musky angler across American and Canadian fisheries

• Fishing educator, seminar presenter, and product-development specialist

Steven Paul — Musky Fishing Articles, Instructional Content & Podcasts

Steven Paul's extensive library of musky fishing instruction is available through the Musky 360 app. His articles cover advanced musky fishing techniques, trophy-fish location, seasonal patterns, lure development, trolling strategies, and equipment testing. Drawing on decades of professional guiding and fishing across North America, Paul's instructional work connects firsthand experience with practical techniques anglers can apply on the water.

Featured Musky Fishing Articles by Steven Paul

Musky Structure Fishing: Getting Dialed In

Learn the fundamentals of musky structure fishing, including breaklines, underwater contours, seasonal movements, and productive fish-holding locations.

Southern Muskies and Cold Water: January and February Muskie Fishing

Advanced strategies for locating and catching winter muskies using water temperature, depth selection, and controlled presentations.

Mastering the Livingston Lures Kraken for Trophy Muskies

An in-depth instructional guide to Steven Paul's award-winning Kraken design, covering adjustable weighting, retrieve techniques, lure modifications, and trophy musky applications.

The Blade Planer Boards — Designed by Steven Paul

Explore the development and engineering behind The Blade Planer Boards, including the design challenges and innovations that produced this specialized trolling system.

Wabigoon Lake Musky Fishing: The Complete Guide to Muskies on the Goon

Drawing on extensive firsthand experience, Paul examines trophy musky fishing on Ontario's Wabigoon Lake, including seasonal patterns, structure, lure selection, and fishing strategies.

Musky Trolling Tactics: Advanced Concepts, Gear, and Boat Control

A detailed examination of advanced musky trolling, equipment selection, precision boat control, and the application of effective trolling systems.

Livingston Lures Brute Wins First Place at EFTTEX 2026

Steven Paul discusses the international recognition of his Brute lure design at EFTTEX 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.

LiveScope and Musky Fishing: Does Forward-Facing Sonar Help or Hurt Anglers?

An examination of modern fishing electronics and their influence on musky fishing techniques, angler behavior, and trophy fisheries.

Musky IQ: Analyze & Execute by Steven Paul

An introduction to Paul's second musky fishing book and its system-driven approach to environmental interpretation, fish behavior, and fishing decision-making.

New Shimano Compre Muskie Series Review

A firsthand evaluation of the Shimano Compre Muskie rods, covering construction, performance, ergonomics, and practical applications for serious musky anglers.

Musky 360 Podcast — Hosted by Steven Paul

Listen to the Musky 360 Podcast Inside the App

Hosted by Steven Paul alongside co-host Jay Esse, the Musky 360 Podcast delivers regular discussions of advanced musky fishing techniques, seasonal fishing patterns, trophy-fish strategies, tackle development, and the latest developments throughout the musky fishing industry. Episodes feature professional anglers, experienced guides, industry experts, and special guests sharing their knowledge and experiences.

Featured episodes include:

Musky IQ: Analyze & Execute — Book Release and Musky Fishing Q&A

Steven Paul introduces his book and discusses advanced decision-making and fishing strategies.

The Brute Storms Europe — International Lure Development

A discussion of international lure innovation, trophy musky fisheries, and new fishing technology following EFTTEX 2026.

Fall Muskies, Flowages and Reservoir Fishing

Steven Paul and Jay Esse discuss fall reservoir musky fishing, trolling, weather changes, and effective lure presentations.

More from Steven Paul

Explore Steven Paul's Musky Fishing Articles

Browse additional articles covering trophy musky fishing, Tennessee fisheries, Canadian fishing destinations, instructional techniques, and fishing equipment.

Verified Professional References

Livingston Lures — Meet Our Pros — Professional role and fishing-industry credentials.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — State Fishing Records — Official documentation of Paul's Tennessee state-record muskellunge.

Field & Stream — Steven Paul Author Profile — Professional biography and published instructional articles.

Angling International — Livingston's Lure Development — Independent fishing-industry coverage of Paul's lure-design work.

Great Lakes Angler — Hunting Monsters — Original published fishing instruction.

Musky Shop — Steven Paul Books and Products — Books, fishing products, and professional collaboration.

Tennessee Musky Guide Service — Professional guiding career and additional biographical information.

Musky 360 — Fishing articles, instructional media, and ongoing contributions.