Reel Knockoffs Guide Service

Reel Knockoffs Guide Service provides and teaches fishing techniques for anglers of all skill levels. Captain Matt Bowman and his team specialize in family-friendly trips and give their best with smaller groups on board. They depart from Oakville, ON, where you can find them any time of year.

Capt. Matt invites you to join him on his 23’ Wellcraft boat. This offshore vessel accommodates up to three guests, including kids over six years old. The boat features a powerful 150 HP Evinrude engine, which enables the boat to reach the maximum speed of 40 knots. Besides navigational electronics, the boat also has a live bait tank, downriggers, and a cooler.

Trolling for Salmon is what Reel Knockoffs are the masters of! With them, you can go trolling after Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic Salmon. Lake Ontario also holds an impressive number of Steelhead, Lake, and Brown Trout. You can release them back once you catch them, or keep them if you’re aiming for a delicious meal after the trip.

All fishing gear is provided. All you need to bring is a valid Ontario fishing license, proper clothing, and your snacks.

If you’ve never done it before, this is the right time to learn how to catch and clean fish. Come to battle some Lake Ontario monsters and have a great time on the water!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Evening Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 4:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 15
    US $327
    Come for a 4 hour charter after work! Our target species will be Chinook and Coho Salmon.
  • Private trip
    Quick morning trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 15
    US $327
    4 hours on lake Ontario trolling for salmon and trout
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 15
    US $436
    You'll target different types of Salmon and Trout by trolling, using downriggers, long lines, and dipsey divers. You'll need to purchase your fishing license (usually around $20), bring snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. You get to keep the catch, so keep an eye on good restaurants in the area.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 15
    US $436
    Spend this afternoon targeting Trout and Salmon! You'll mostly use trolling and heavy tackle. If you're hoping for a tasty meal after the trip, luckily, you get to keep the catch. The captain will cover your fishing equipment, but you need to purchase your fishing license and bring snacks and drinks.
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FAQs about Reel Knockoffs Guide Service

Reel Knockoffs Guide Service offers the following trips to customers:
  • CA $450 per group - Evening Trip (4 hours)
  • CA $450 per group - Quick morning trip (4 hours)
  • CA $600 per group - 5 Hour Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • CA $600 per group - 5 Hour Trip (PM) (5 hours)

When you book a trip with Reel Knockoffs Guide Service, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Flushable “camping” toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Reel Knockoffs Guide Service include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Shimano telora rods and Shimano tekota reels)
  • Live Bait (Bait strips prepared before the trip)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Ziplock bags provided, fillet if lake is safe)

Reel Knockoffs Guide Service offers the following types of fishing:
  • Lake Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing (We go where the fish are. Sometimes within a mile offshore to 20 miles off shore. If the weather is clear, we can always see land. )

Reel Knockoffs Guide Service offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Trolling

Top targeted fish species with Reel Knockoffs Guide Service include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Atlantic)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Meet the Captain

Matt Bowman
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
4 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
43 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since February 2020
I began fishing when I was 3 and haven’t stopped since. I have always dreamed of fishing for a living because it’s my greatest passion and I love getting other people involved. Seeing my guests smile when they catch their first fish is priceless. But it's not just about catching fish – we're also creating memories together!

About this listing

Targeted species

Brown Trout Brown Trout
Lake Trout Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Atlantic) Atlantic Salmon

Boat specs

Wellcraft 210 Coastal (Sportfishing) originally built in 1989, and restored in 2018. Powered by a 150HP Evinrude engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 40 knots.

Length
23 ft
Capacity
3 persons

Types of fishing

Lake Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
We go where the fish are. Sometimes within a mile offshore to 20 miles off shore. If the weather is clear, we can always see land.

Fishing techniques

Heavy Tackle
Trolling

Amenities

Toilet
Flushable “camping” toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Shimano telora rods and Shimano tekota reels
Live Bait
Bait strips prepared before the trip
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Ziplock bags provided, fillet if lake is safe

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
At least 6 years old. Life jackets 30–90 pounds
No Alcohol
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Bank Transfer

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 43 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (71)
Half day trip!!
Fishing with Matt
Amazing trip
+68
Angler rating
42
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
91%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 43 reviews
Greg A.
Salem, OR
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall
We had a wonderful experience with Captain Matt and his Dad on an evening trip on Lake Ontario.  This was our first time fishing...
Greg A. recommends Reel Knockoffs Guide Service
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  Matt Bowman Captain replied

Daniel M.
Hamilton, ON
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First time and not the last time!

VERIFIED   Evening Trip on August 26, 2023
Our first time fishing for salmon on Lake Ontario and we must say that it will not be our last. Captain Matt and his dad was...
Daniel M. recommends Reel Knockoffs Guide Service
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  Matt Bowman Captain replied

Sebastian M.
Toronto, ON
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Matt

VERIFIED   Quick morning trip on August 16, 2023
Beautiful morning out on the lake and some great fishing.  Caught an amazing 13 pound salmon and a smaller 6-7 pounder. ...
Sebastian M. recommends Reel Knockoffs Guide Service
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  Matt Bowman Captain replied

Azimir H. A.
Burlington, ON
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Morning fishing trip with captain Mike

VERIFIED   Quick morning trip on July 15, 2023
Booked a fishing trip with captain Mike for my buddies birthday. The trip was awesome and my buddy got a 20 LB Salmon. He said...
Azimir H. A. recommends Reel Knockoffs Guide Service
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  Matt Bowman Captain replied

Carolyn S.
Brampton, Ontario
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Evening Fishing Trip with Dad

VERIFIED   Evening Trip on June 16, 2023
Had great time watching Dad reel in an 11.2 lb lake trout and then a 22.5 lb trout!! Pretty good for a 90 yr old. Impressive...
Carolyn S. recommends Reel Knockoffs Guide Service
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  Matt Bowman Captain replied