Captain's Blog

First afternoon charter 2012

Steve — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:27:11 +0000

: Nice end to a rough seas day

The day was not very comfortable to fish with 3-5 footers and a changing wind direction, but my group hung in and boated 10 out of 12 bites for a good catch of salmon and a lake trout. When the day was done, it finally broke out enough sunshine for a sunset, West Coast Michigan style that the photo does not due justice too. I love my job!

Tulip Festival Charters

Steve — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:49:09 +0000

With the Holland Tulip Time week upon us, why not take advantage of the good spring fishing like these first time anglers did this weekend. The weather forecast for mid week right through the weekend is calling for near perfect conditions. Thanks for a memorable trip and a good job!

First Spring Charter 2012

Steve — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:47:37 +0000

"Great shake down trip"

Picked a perfect day to shake down the boat with a couple of old friends. The lake was just a slight chop with water temps in the upper 40′s. It was mostly cloudy, but with all the action we were comfortable with out heavy clothes by 9:00 AM. We put 2 fish back and lost 4. Final tally was 17 for 21 in 145 – 180 FOW.

Salmon Planting in 2012

Steve — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:49:58 +0000

Our salmon plant for the 2012 season are being held for the next few weeks at the base of “A” dock and South Shore Dr. It is just a short walk from my slip and it has a nice informative billboard showing the timeline of salmon introduction in the Great Lakes as well as other facts. It’s a great place to bring people and kids to learn some history about salmon and their life cycle.
The fish are feed daily and a call to the marina will insure some additional interaction that is entertaining to observe.

2012 Fishing Season

Steve — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:31:58 +0000

I launched the boat on Wednesday April 18 th. I have my final inspection on Wed April 25th. It is a dockside Michigan DNR safety inspection which will be good for two years. My out-of-water (dry hull inspection) which was done last week, will be good for 4 years. The J D Lady is nice and clean and in bad need of some blood on the deck! I am planning on fishing this week and/or this weekend. The wind had been borderline nuts and the lake is still quite cool, but the salmon bite is fantastic right now. Check back in a week to catch the lastest photos and reports.

Launch day 4-17-12

Steve — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:44:35 +0000

Our dry hull inspection went smoothly and I am scheduled for the in-water State inspection some time after our launch date of April 17th. I am busy getting tackle, electronics, and live aboard ammenities back in place. I anticipate a great season and hopefully some perfect fishing weather.

Ice Fishing Charter in Southern Michigan

Steve — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:52:10 +0000

I had a great time fishing with a grandfather and his grandson for panfish and pike. The smile says it all! Thanks for the photos and memories.

Winter ice fishing in the Grand Rapids – Holland area.

Steve — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:34:15 +0000

A great day on Groundhog day 2012

What a day on a lake 20 miles north of GR. The ice continues to be minimal with above freezing temperatures in the day and night. I hope it will hold at the 5 inches we have now until colder weather.

Winter Update 2011-2012

Steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:50:15 +0000

catch and release bass fishing after Jan 1st.

50 on inland lakes is the perch limit

Late ice perch

Lots of lakes with good bluegill populations in west Michigan

2 of the 4 walleye for the day.

18 lbs on a tipup

Fish on!

One of my "homes away from home" in the winter.

A beautiful start to a winter's day on the ice in Michigan.

Winter ice fishing is a great way to spend the day in a heated shanty. I have been an ice fisherman as long as I can remember. My Dad, Grandfather and Uncle would take me and my brother and cousin to Lake Muskegon and we fished for panfish and perch back in the early 60′s. I still like ice fishing as much as any other fishing that I do because it is good excercise, good company with other fishing groups on the ice, and a great way to gather fresh fish for eating in the winter. I freeze a good bunch of panfish to eat during the summer when I am too busy charter fishing to fish on our inland lakes. To book a trip on the ice for up to 4 person with shanties, bait and equipment please give me a call at 616-550-6248 or drop me an e-mail at jdcharters@rocketmail.com.

2011 Season Recap

Steve — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:33:09 +0000

Time to wrap up the season and get ready to hunt and ice fish. My thanks to all of you that spent a day on the water with me. Your business is much appreciated and I hope to see you again in 2012. Have a good off season and I’ll talk to you after the new year.