My family and I (2 adults, 3 children) booked a one day charter fishing trip in July 2021 with Captain Jonas to fish for sea trout in the waters around Orust Island in western Sweden. Our departure location was a private marina in Varekil. I am an experienced saltwater/ocean fisher from USA. It was my first time fishing for sea trout and in the region.

Captain Jonas is very knowledgeable about fishing for sea trout, and he explained the primary conditions that support a good catch (e.g. wind, tidal direction, current) and secondary factors (water temperature, micro-location vegetation and structure), among others. His 18 ft. Aluminum boat is equipped with modern technical equipment that takes you to the fish while allowing you to focus on the fishing. The fishing tackle was spinning reels (e.g. Abu Garcia) with braided line and matched rods (e.g Abu Garcia, G. Loomis) and tried and tested lures, all of which met my expectations. 

We were able to locate a school of large sea trout at the end of the day (visually identified), but were only able to hook and land one smaller sea trout. In my view this had to do with the very warm air and water temperature, low wind, and low water current conditions on the day of the trip. Additionally, during the summer, the growth of saltwater grasses is pronounced, which can both positively and negatively affect micro-location fishing conditions.

These aspects aside, we had fantastic summer bathing weather, and Captain Jonas was able to create an enjoyable experience for us as a family, taking us to one of his personal favorite cliff diving locations on one of the many small islands in this beautiful fjord area.

Even while my children didn’t catch any fish they still said it was the best fishing trip they have ever taken. Taking this into account, Captain Jonas was able to cater well to the diverse needs of mid-aged children (9 - 14 years old) on a fishing trip (food, anecdotes, storytelling, support with basic fishing techniques, etc.).

The landscape in the Orust fjord area is visually stunning. As such, even without great fishing conditions, the boat ride for the day was an exceptional way to become acquainted with the local marine area and experience how many Swedes enjoy their own summer holidays on boats and sunbathing on the numerous rock-island beaches.

I recommend fishing with Captain Jonas and would gladly go out with him again in the area with better fishing conditions, or on a trip to fish in other areas in Sweden.