XplorePA, Apollo, PA (2026)

05/13/2026

WALLEYE WEDNESDAY has officially turned into LAKE TROUT WEDNESDAY… because apparently nobody wanted to drop their walleye pics in the comments last week. 😂

So now we got Sasquatch out here on Lake Erie holding a slob lake trout like he owns the place. Rumor has it Bigfoot loves lake trout sushi and 8-color leadcore. 👣🐟

On a serious note… some of Erie’s top charter captains still have a few openings available if you’re looking to catch the fish of a lifetime this season. Whether it’s giant lake trout, trophy or walleyes, steelhead, or just making memories on the water… now’s the time to get trips booked.

Drop a 🐟 in the comments if Sasquatch should become an official XPLOREPA pro staffer.

05/11/2026

LAKE DREARY VOL. 1 EPISODE 16
“Smoking the Wrong Kind of Walleye” 🎣💨

Well Captain DingDong was out on the lake this weekend and landed an absolute STINKY giant walleye… pretty close to the Lake Dreary record. Naturally he hauled it down to Rich Dick’s Bait Shop to get it weighed on the certified scale by Lover Boy himself. Now Lover Boy — that’s not his real name… nobody actually knows his real name — but they call him Lover Boy because he’s always down the peninsula riding tandem bikes with different girls.

Anyway… Lover Boy’s been curious about “smoking walleye” lately and talked Captain DingDong into giving it a try. Problem is… T Critter in the back room is smoking the GOOD walleye and absolutely losing his mind laughing while DingDong and Lover Boy try smoking the WRONG kind. 😂

Meanwhile smoke is BELLOWING out of Rich Dick’s like the place is about to burn to the ground. The smell? Horrific. Like burnt hot pockets, old fish grease, and a campground dumpster in July.

Big Boss Kitty rolls up confused as ever, convinced somebody just nuked one of her Hot Pockets again in the microwave. She has NO clue what’s really happening after dark at Rich Dick’s.

Outside in the parking lot Chuck Pillar is feeling REAL good because he thinks he’s finally close to cracking this giant walleye crime ring wide open. He’s dropping in unannounced and ready to make arrests.

But little does he know…

The true mastermind behind this entire operation… THE CRAYFISH FATHER… is still out there somewhere in a camper down by the river… strumming kumbaya on his walleye guitar while smoking only the finest premium walleye Lake Dreary has ever seen. 🎸🐟💨

05/09/2026

🔥 SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT 🔥

Today we’re shining the light on another Pennsylvania based business we personally love supporting… Bullseye Fi****ms Gun Vault

If it’s fi****ms, ammo, accessories, optics, or just good honest people who know their stuff… this is one of our favorite places to stop in. Always a great atmosphere and always something cool sitting in the vault. 🇺🇸

We believe in supporting local Pennsylvania businesses and the people behind them that keep our outdoor lifestyle alive.

****ms

05/08/2026

LAKE DREARY VOLUME 1 EPISODE 16“LET’S GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE…”

The citizens of Lake Dreary are demanding answers. The Walleye epidemic has officially spiraled out of control and Chuck Pillar is running out of time before the entire lake loses its mind. We need YOUR help figuring out who is behind the smoked walleye operation so we can finally move on to Volume 2 and get back to doing what we all love… catching fish.

Captain Hector Hector is currently locked up in Lake Dreary Prison attending his very first W.A. meeting… Walleye Anonymous. A 12-step recovery program for folks caught up in active walleye addiction. Sources say he’s struggling but remains hopeful.

Meanwhile Captain Barry Tumblr, after an absolutely reckless week of smoking walleyes behind East Avenue Boat Launch porta johns, is now being escorted to the recovery wing to “find himself.” Rumor has it Dr. Robbie Camaro still volunteers there part-time helping anglers recover and return to the water.

Chuck Pillar has somehow roped Captain Stan Steady into this investigation… even though Stan still has absolutely no clue what’s going on. Stan remains focused on the important things in life:• his hair• charter prices around the lake• and figuring out who stole the bathroom off his 78-foot Sport Craft “My Buckets.”

(We all know Bassman took it.)

Now here’s where things get serious…

T-Critter from Rich Dick’s Bait Shop is VERY high on the suspect list. His sister Big Boss Kitty supposedly has no idea what’s happening because she only works daylight hours. But what happens after dark at Rich Dick’s remains a complete mystery.

Chuck and Stan conducted late-night surveillance from inside a dumpster and witnessed one of T-Critter’s workers carrying a suspicious case labeled “SMOKED WALLEYE” through the parking lot.

The suspect’s lake name is… TWIDDLE D.(Not to be confused with his twin brother Twiddle Dumb.)

Twiddle D loaded the goods into a mysterious black truck with:• tinted windows• smoke pouring out when the window rolled down• a “CRAYFISH FATHER” sticker on the back glass• PA plate: 420EYE

Chuck Pillar believes THIS is the missing link.

The only problem…

Nobody knows who was driving the truck.

So now we turn to the citizens of Lake Dreary and all of Facebook Land…

WHO IS THE MADMAN IN THE BLACK TRUCK?!

Drop your theories in the comments and help Chuck Pillar crack the case before Lake Dreary completely falls apart.

05/07/2026

WHAT NOT TO SAY AT THE GUN SHOP… 😂🔫

Customer picks up the gun and yells:

“GET ON THE GROUND!!!”

Immediately the Bullseye’s employee snatches it back like:

“NOPE. We don’t do that here.” 😳🤣

Other things you probably shouldn’t say at a gun shop:

“Can I test it out in the parking lot?”

“Which one makes me look like John Wick?”

“I watched a TikTok… I know what I’m doing.”

“Can I get a discount if I pay in venison sticks?”

Moral of the story:
Act normal at Bullseye Fi****ms Gun Vault or you’re becoming the Thursday Reel. 😂🔥

****ms

05/06/2026

🎣 Walleye Wednesday 🎣

Nothing better than seeing the next generation falling in love with the outdoors… and doing it their own way.

From that first fish to moments you never forget, fishing has a way of bringing out pure joy — and it’s awesome to see not only young anglers getting after it, but strong women and young ladies out there making memories too.

This is what it’s all about right here 👏

Let’s keep it rolling… drop your Walleye pics in the comments for next week’s feature! 👇

05/05/2026

🔧 Tech Tip Tuesday – XPLORE PA 🔧

Fishing season is about to go full bore… and boating season isn’t far behind. 🎣🚤

Today’s tips come from the crew at Independent Marine Services, filmed by none other than Casting & Blasting—guys who live it, not just talk it.

A couple simple things to keep in mind before you hit the water:
✔️ Double-check your batteries and connections
✔️ Make sure your bilge pump is working properly
✔️ Give your fuel system a quick once-over
✔️ Don’t forget your safety gear (flares, life jackets, the works)

It’s the little stuff that keeps your day from turning into a long one.

Big thanks for sharing the knowledge 🤝

Drop a comment if you’ve got a go-to preseason check you never skip 👇

Independent Marine Services Castingn Blasting

05/04/2026

Lake Dreary – Volume 1, Episode 15

Captain Barry Tumblr has officially hit rock bottom.

Spotted Friday night… behind the porta-johns at the East Avenue boat launch… smoking walleye.

Down bad? Yeah.
Done for? Not even close.

There’s still hope.

Captain DingDong has been clean and sober for 7½ years.
If he can turn it around, so can Barry. Lake Dreary is home to some of the best walleye rehabilitation centers in the country.

Dr. Robbie Camaro now leads a team of doctors dedicated to detoxing anglers off smoking walleye—helping them get clean, clear-headed, and back out on the water the right way.

Meanwhile…

Captain Hector Hector sits behind bars—right where he belongs.
Now he’s second-guessing everything… wishing he would’ve just gone legit and worked at the muffler shop.

Instead, the black market muffler game pulled him into something deeper—
illegal harvesting… supplying dealers… fueling the smoked walleye ring that’s got half of Lake Dreary hooked.

But if there’s one thing we know…

Chuck Pillar doesn’t quit.

The Walleye Protection Unit is on the move, warrant in hand, heading straight for Rich Dick’s Bait Shop.

As Chuck walks in, he’s greeted by Big Boss Kitty—
clueless to the chaos—just trying to set anglers up with the best gear on the lake.

But in the back…

Her brother.

They call him T. Critter.

That laugh? Contagious.
That operation? Dangerous.

Because behind the scenes… he’s the mastermind—
running the smoked walleye ring that’s taking over Lake Dreary.

Now the question is—

Does Chuck Pillar find the evidence… or is this thing bigger than anyone thought?

05/03/2026

SEND IT SUNDAY 🔥

This one’s for the ones out there putting in the work—guides, outfitters, shop owners, and anyone building something in the outdoors.

If you run a hunting guide service, fishing charter, bait & tackle shop, gun shop, campground, restaurant, bike or boat rental… we’re looking to connect—especially our Eastern PA crew 👀

At XPLOREPA, we’re building a platform to showcase outdoor businesses, create content, and help drive real traffic your way.

👉 You can list and sell products on our site for free
👉 Service-based businesses can get involved through our membership options
👉 And anyone can jump in and be part of the community right here

We’re not for everyone—and that’s okay. But if you’re trying to grow, get seen, and be part of something bigger…

Send us a message or give us a call.

Let’s build something real for the outdoors 🌲🎣

05/02/2026

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY 🍳🌭

This one right here is what it’s all about…

New York Lunch — east side of Erie.
Serving it up since 1927 and you feel it the second you walk in.

Old-school diner. No fluff. Just real.

I was lucky enough to go with some local friends—and they took me to the right spot.

While we were eating, Nina herself came in…
and I’ll tell you what—that woman is an absolute gem. Sweet, welcoming, just genuine. The kind of person that makes a place special without even trying.

Waitress? Textbook.
Coffee full, food moving, didn’t miss a beat.

Now the real move…

I went in for breakfast… but had to try the Greek hotdog.

And listen—
don’t call it chili 😅

It’s a slow-cooked Greek meat sauce… little spice, little sweet… totally different.
Loaded up with mustard, onions, cheese… and it just hits.
One bite and you understand why they’ve been doing it this long.

Places like this don’t come around often anymore.
Same family. Same recipes. Same feel.

I’ll 100% be back.

📍 If you’re in Erie—go
👇 If you’ve been there, drop your order

XplorePA

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