How to pick a good Charter Boat & Captain

It's great that you are planning to enjoy a Lake Michigan fishing trip this year. Did you know that booking your charter boat early is very important? The fishing season is all too short. July and August are very busy months in Ludington, each with only a few weekend dates available. If you have a specific time you would like to go, consider booking your charter fishing trip early. Even though there are dozens of charter boats operating out of the Ludington harbor, slots fill quickly once the fishing heats up. By August you will be hard pressed to find an open date, because all the best charter boats and the best captains will be spoken for. So don’t wait.

If you find that your preferred date is already booked, here are some tips from Captain Mike to help you pick a good charter boat and captain.

There are as many different types of boats and captains, as there fisherman. Having fun and catching fish is what it is all about. The secret is to find a charter boat and captain that will suit your needs. Talk to the captain. Is he knowledgeable and fun? Is he someone you could spend eight hours with? Get to know your captain. Here are some of the questions you might ask:

1) How many years have you been a captain?

2) What size charter boat do you have?

3) How many people will it accommodate?

4) Do you have a clean, stand-up bathroom?

5) What kind of fish will we catch?

6) What do we have to bring on the fishing trip?

Fishing License - **REQUIRED** - with a trout stamp for all fishermen who have reached their 17th birthday. Daily licenses are available.

Soft soled shoes - The deck can get wet and slippery. No black or dark colored soles - they make marks.

Sunglasses and Sun Block - SPF45 if you're a "landlubber."

Hat, Warm Jacket, Rain Gear - It's generally cool in the morning and believe it or not, it does rain occasionally.

Food & Beverage - Check with your Captain regarding his policy on alcoholic beverages. Also your Captain may be able to provide food and beverage for an addtional fee.

Camera - To capture the magic moments and to prove you actually caught big fish. If you forget one, buy a disposal - they take great pictures.

Cooler - To take home the catch. Your captain will clean and bag your fish just the way you want them for the trip home. Nothing is better than fresh Michigan fish on the grill that very evening.