Champion Charters 

4.9/5 (164 reviews)
 315 West Lakeshore Drive, Port Clinton, OH 43452, United States
4.9/5 (164 reviews)
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315 West Lakeshore Drive
Port Clinton, OH, United States

If you’re looking for a truly first-class angling experience on the beautiful, bountiful waters of Lake Erie, then come aboard Champion Charters and let Captain James Cramer guide you to the hottest fishing spots around. His motto is simple, and perfectly sums up what his charter is all about: “Have fun. Catch fish!”

Capt. James believes that angling should be an experience that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their age or skill level, so he’s catered his charter to fit all guests. Whether you’re looking to take the kids on a family trip, or want to explore this world-famous fishery with fellow hardcore anglers, there’s something on offer for you. Capt. James prides himself on running a first-class charter on a seriously luxurious vessel. It’s perfect for a truly unique company day out, too!

You’ll be cruising Lake Erie on a top-of-the-line 30’ Island Hopper sport fishing boat. She can comfortably accommodate up to 6 anglers, and you can all fish at the same time. As well as top-notch navigational and safety gear, there’s also a first mate on board to lend a hand. Your vessel is equipped with outriggers for maximum trolling, and a covered top that offers plenty of shade. You’ll be traveling in comfort and serious style!

Lake Erie is known for its abundance of Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Perch. Capt. James loves helping his guests reach ‘limit catches’ of these fish, so choose your target and get ready to reel ‘em in! Want to go after a combination of species? Just let him know in advance. You can expect to troll, jig, spin, and drift-fish, so no matter your level of experience, your captain will help you find the technique that works best for you!

Your trip includes top-notch Saint Croix rods and Shimano, Daiwa, and Fluger reels. Tempting live bait is caught and prepared in advance. For Smallmouth Bass, there’s a small charge for artificial bait. All that’s left is to grab a fishing license and join Champion Charters for an unforgettable angling experience!

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 164 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (147)

FANTASTIC TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM!
FANTASTIC TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM!
FANTASTIC TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM!
+144

Angler rating

155
6
2
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

97%

Friendly captain

99%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

97%

Showing 1 - 5 of 164 reviews
Showing: 5 of 164 reviews
Lisa O.
Lisa O.
5.0/5

Aug 27, 2025

Full Day Trip (AM)

FANTASTIC TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM!

VERIFIED
NEW

We had the best charter experience with Captain Jim with Champion Charters! He definitely knows where the fish are biting! We caught our limit of 24 walleye in the U.S. and Canadian parts of Lake Erie! We cannot say enough great things about our experience! It was the BEST! HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dbooking a trip when you're in sport Clinton!

We had the best charter experience with Captain Jim with Champion Charters! He definitely knows where the fish are biting! We...  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
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Captain replied
 Lisa O. recommends Champion Charters
 Lisa O. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on August 28, 2025
Lisa, we thank you and the rest of the family very much. We look forward to having you back out on the water fishing again in the future.

Michael C.
Michael C.
5.0/5

Sep 26, 2024

Full Day Trip (AM)

Finding fish even for a professional is work

VERIFIED

I was in contact for two days before the trip with the charter owner. Late season with variable weather made choices difficult. He worked had to check with other captains to see where fish were being caught and with what method. We ultimately bought one day Canada licensees online and drift fished a shoal in Canadian waters. The lake made us work for what we caught but we were consistently on big Walleye all morning. A sparkling clean professionally kept boat made for peace of mind on the water. Our captain had deep experience, and it paid off in a great trip. This will be out 'go to' operator for fishing Lake Erie in the future. We are a group of five experienced fishermen that get together several times a year to fish, eat and catch-up.

I was in contact for two days before the trip with the charter owner. Late season with variable weather made choices difficult....  

Captain replied
 Michael C. recommends Champion Charters
 Michael C. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on October 11, 2024
We thank you, Mike and look forward to seeing you and the crew again this spring. Hope your holidays are wonderful. 

Dave K.
Dave K.
5.0/5

Jun 7, 2025

Full Day Trip (AM)

Already booked for next year!

VERIFIED

Champion Charters does not disappoint. Captain Jim and first mate Ashton are professionals. They treated us exceptionally well. We had a two day charter and put us on fish both days. Captain Jim is not afraid to move to another spot if needed. Boat, rod/reels, crew are top shelf. Best fishing trip my group and I have ever been on. You will not be disappointed if you choose Champion Charters for your next Charters.

Champion Charters does not disappoint. Captain Jim and first mate Ashton are professionals. They treated us exceptionally well....  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Captain replied
 Dave K. recommends Champion Charters
 Dave K. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on June 11, 2025
We thank you and your Crew Dave ! Also looking forward to fishing with you guys again soon. Thanks again.

Charles P.
Charles P.
5.0/5

Aug 2, 2025

Full Day Trip (PM)

Captain Dakota is awesome.

VERIFIED
NEW

We went out for and afternoon in August and he instantly had on fish. We lost a few and if it wasn't for that we would have easily limited out. He has a great personality and was blast to hang out with. We will definitely be back.

We went out for and afternoon in August and he instantly had on fish. We lost a few and if it wasn't for that we would have easily...  

Captain replied
 Charles P. recommends Champion Charters
 Charles P. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on August 3, 2025
Thank you Chuck, we are looking forward to fishing with You and your Crew again soon !!!

Frank R.
Frank R.
5.0/5

Jun 7, 2025

Full Day Trip (PM)

FIRST CLASS CHARTER

VERIFIED

This was the best fresh water charter I've been on. The boat was immacculate and roomy. Captain Shawn and first mate were just great. They got my son, daughter, and two grandsons involved in the trolling process. My family had a great time plus great fishing results. I highly recommend Champion Charters, Captain Jim, the owner, knows how to treat his customers.

This was the best fresh water charter I've been on. The boat was immacculate and roomy. Captain Shawn and first mate were just...  

Captain replied
 Frank R. recommends Champion Charters
 Frank R. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on June 9, 2025
We thank you Frank and look forward to having you guys back fishing again !

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
August 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
Full Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
7 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
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US $790 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Full Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
7 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
Seasonal trip May 1 - Aug 31
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US $790 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Full Day Trip - Executive
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
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US $1,070 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 164 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (147)

FANTASTIC TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM!
FANTASTIC TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM!
FANTASTIC TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM!
+144

Angler rating

155
6
2
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

97%

Friendly captain

99%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

97%

Showing 1 - 5 of 164 reviews
Showing: 5 of 164 reviews
Lisa O.
Lisa O.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

FANTASTIC TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM!

VERIFIED
NEW

Full Day Trip (AM) on August 27, 2025

We had the best charter experience with Captain Jim with Champion Charters! He definitely knows where the fish are biting! We caught our limit of 24 walleye in the U.S. and Canadian parts of Lake Erie! We cannot say enough great things about our experience! It was the BEST! HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dbooking a trip when you're in sport Clinton!

We had the best charter experience with Captain Jim with Champion Charters! He definitely knows where the fish are biting! We caught our limit of 24 walleye in the U.S. and Canadian parts of Lake Erie! We cannot say enough great things about our experience! It was the BEST! HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dbooking a trip when you're in sport Clinton!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
 Lisa O. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on August 28, 2025
Lisa, we thank you and the rest of the family very much. We look forward to having you back out on the water fishing again in the future.

Michael C.
Michael C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Finding fish even for a professional is work

VERIFIED

Full Day Trip (AM) on September 26, 2024

I was in contact for two days before the trip with the charter owner. Late season with variable weather made choices difficult. He worked had to check with other captains to see where fish were being caught and with what method. We ultimately bought one day Canada licensees online and drift fished a shoal in Canadian waters. The lake made us work for what we caught but we were consistently on big Walleye all morning. A sparkling clean professionally kept boat made for peace of mind on the water. Our captain had deep experience, and it paid off in a great trip. This will be out 'go to' operator for fishing Lake Erie in the future. We are a group of five experienced fishermen that get together several times a year to fish, eat and catch-up.

I was in contact for two days before the trip with the charter owner. Late season with variable weather made choices difficult. He worked had to check with other captains to see where fish were being caught and with what method. We ultimately bought one day Canada licensees online and drift fished a shoal in Canadian waters. The lake made us work for what we caught but we were consistently on big Walleye all morning. A sparkling clean professionally kept boat made for peace of mind on the water....  

 Michael C. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on October 11, 2024
We thank you, Mike and look forward to seeing you and the crew again this spring. Hope your holidays are wonderful. 

Dave K.
Dave K.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Already booked for next year!

VERIFIED

Full Day Trip (AM) on June 7, 2025

Champion Charters does not disappoint. Captain Jim and first mate Ashton are professionals. They treated us exceptionally well. We had a two day charter and put us on fish both days. Captain Jim is not afraid to move to another spot if needed. Boat, rod/reels, crew are top shelf. Best fishing trip my group and I have ever been on. You will not be disappointed if you choose Champion Charters for your next Charters.

Champion Charters does not disappoint. Captain Jim and first mate Ashton are professionals. They treated us exceptionally well. We had a two day charter and put us on fish both days. Captain Jim is not afraid to move to another spot if needed. Boat, rod/reels, crew are top shelf. Best fishing trip my group and I have ever been on. You will not be disappointed if you choose Champion Charters for your next Charters.  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 Dave K. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on June 11, 2025
We thank you and your Crew Dave ! Also looking forward to fishing with you guys again soon. Thanks again.

Charles P.
Charles P.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Captain Dakota is awesome.

VERIFIED
NEW

Full Day Trip (PM) on August 2, 2025

We went out for and afternoon in August and he instantly had on fish. We lost a few and if it wasn't for that we would have easily limited out. He has a great personality and was blast to hang out with. We will definitely be back.

We went out for and afternoon in August and he instantly had on fish. We lost a few and if it wasn't for that we would have easily limited out. He has a great personality and was blast to hang out with. We will definitely be back.  

 Charles P. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on August 3, 2025
Thank you Chuck, we are looking forward to fishing with You and your Crew again soon !!!

Frank R.
Frank R.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

FIRST CLASS CHARTER

VERIFIED

Full Day Trip (PM) on June 7, 2025

This was the best fresh water charter I've been on. The boat was immacculate and roomy. Captain Shawn and first mate were just great. They got my son, daughter, and two grandsons involved in the trolling process. My family had a great time plus great fishing results. I highly recommend Champion Charters, Captain Jim, the owner, knows how to treat his customers.

This was the best fresh water charter I've been on. The boat was immacculate and roomy. Captain Shawn and first mate were just great. They got my son, daughter, and two grandsons involved in the trolling process. My family had a great time plus great fishing results. I highly recommend Champion Charters, Captain Jim, the owner, knows how to treat his customers.  

 Frank R. recommends Champion Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on June 9, 2025
We thank you Frank and look forward to having you guys back fishing again !

FAQs about Champion Charters

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
30 ft
Year built
1997
Restored in
2010
Boat manufacturer
Island Hopper
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
Caterpillar Diesel
Powered by
1 x 420HP
Max cruising speed
29 knots
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