TC Bass Destination Charters 

4.9/5 (33 reviews)
 1495 Newport Street, Traverse City, MI 49686, United States

TC Bass Destination Charters 

Traverse City, MI, United States
21 ft
2
4.9/5 (33 reviews)

TC Bass Destination Charters and Guide Norvel Derickson bid you a warm welcome to Traverse City. Chasing the nationally known Bass in the northwestern Michigan area is the guide's passion and he is ready to share his knowledge of the Grand Traverse Bay and the numerous inland lakes in the area with you. Bass fishing in the area is has become full-scale and is regarded as some of the best in the country. Numbers of Bass are always available and a true trophy fish may hit on your very next cast, so come aboard and fish with TC Bass Destination Charters!

Your trip will start on a 21' Ranger Z521 bass boat that can accommodate 3 anglers. Running on a powerful 250 HP Yamaha SHO engine that can reach a maximum cruising speed of 65 knots, the boat will quickly take you to the desired spots. For safe and efficient navigation, the boat uses modern Lowrance HDS fishfinder and GPS systems, as well as a VHF radio. In order to make a quieter approach to the fish, the boat has got a wireless trolling motor.

You and your guide will use light tackle to target Smallmouth Bass by bottom fishing, spinning, and jigging. Kids are free to join the trip, alcohol is not allowed, and some of the fish will have to be released due to the local regulations.

Guide Norvel will take care of all the tackle, lures, snacks, and drinks, meaning that the only thing you should bring is your fishing license.

Come to Traverse City and have a memorable lake fishing trip with TC Bass Destination Charters!

TC Bass Destination Charters and Guide Norvel Derickson bid you a warm welcome to Traverse City. Chasing the nationally known Bass in the northwestern Michigan area is the guide's passion and he is ready to share his knowledge of the Grand Traverse Bay and the numerous inland lakes in the area with you. Bass fishing in the area is has become full-scale and is regarded as some of the best in the country. Numbers of Bass are always available and a true trophy fish may hit on your very next cast, so come aboard and fish with TC Bass Destination Charters!

Your trip will start on a 21' Ranger Z521 bass boat that can accommodate 3 anglers. Running on a powerful 250 HP Yamaha SHO engine that can reach a maximum cruising speed of 65 knots, the boat will quickly take you to the desired spots. For safe and efficient navigation, the boat uses modern Lowrance HDS fishfinder and GPS systems, as well as a VHF radio. In order to make a quieter approach to the fish, the boat has got a wireless trolling motor.

You and your guide will use light tackle to target Smallmouth Bass by bottom fishing, spinning, and jigging. Kids are free to join the trip, alcohol is not allowed, and some of the fish will have to be released due to the local regulations.

Guide Norvel will take care of all the tackle, lures, snacks, and drinks, meaning that the only thing you should bring is your fishing license.

Come to Traverse City and have a memorable lake fishing trip with TC Bass Destination Charters!

Norvel Derickson
Captain
Norvel Derickson
11 years of experience
ID & credentials verified

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
July 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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4 Hour Trip
Non-refundable
4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Oct 31
Bass (Smallmouth)
US $440
Entire boat: 2 people
6 Hour Trip
Non-refundable
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 1 - Oct 31
Bass (Smallmouth)
US $550
Entire boat: 2 people
8 Hour Trip
Non-refundable
8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Oct 31
Bass (Smallmouth)
US $660
Entire boat: 2 people
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.9
33 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (45)

What anglers say

100%
Recommended
90%
Caught fish

All reviews (33)

Frequently mentioned
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Showing 15 of 33 reviews
Brian Eddy
Brian Eddy
us
Indiana, US
Member since 2021
5.0
Verified
Smallmouth logic
6 Hour Trip on July 29, 20252 adults

My adult son and I enjoyed an outing with Captain Butch Derickson on July 29, 2025. Weather conditions were not optimal, but we caught a reasonable number of spirited smallmouth bass. Most importantly, Butch explained why we fished with specific techniques at specific locations so that we might have an opportunity to try again on our own. Butch is quite personable and we enjoyed talking with him about a variety of topics in addition to fishing.

Norvel Derickson
Response from Captain

Thanks for the fun day on the water! Can't wait till the next time. You were great fishing partners.

Edward Wyszumiala
Edward Wyszumiala
Repeat angler
us
Michigan, US
Member since 2025
3 trips
5.0
Verified
Awesome Smallmouth fishing!
4 Hour Trip on August 14, 20252 adults

Capt. Butch was great! Very knowledgeable on where to find the fish, techniques to be used and taught us a lot! I do a lot of charters and the captain taught me an my nephew a lot about fishing in Traverse Bay! Great trip for younger anglers as well! Lots of action and spotting the fish in the clear waters will keep them occupied and attentive. I highly recommend this trip!!! I will be doing it again!

Reported catch:
Smallmouth Bass
Norvel Derickson
Response from Captain

I enjoyed taking you all out!

Isaac Register
Isaac Register
us
Georgia, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Norvel
6 Hour Trip on July 20, 20252 adults

Chad Gilles
Chad Gilles
Repeat angler
us
Florida, US
Member since 2024
2 trips
5.0
Verified
New personal best
4 Hour Trip on June 25, 20242 adults

Fishing conditions were a bit tough after a big storm rolled through over night, but Butch still put my on my new personal best and cought 5 or 6 others that were over 3 lbs. Great fully equipped bass boat with all the bells and whistles. Also had a good time chatting with Butch and the sightseeing from the lake was almost worth the price of the trip by itself

Reported catch:
Smallmouth Bass
Rob Doneth
Rob Doneth
us
Illinois, US
Member since 2024
5.0
Verified
Good times
4 Hour Trip on July 3, 20241 adult1 child

On the day of our trip the weather was less than perfect, but our capt. was very prompt and had us catching fish quickly. The boat was well kept and was equipped with the latest hardware and fishing gear. I Definitely would recommend to anyone looking for a good fishing guide.

FAQs about TC Bass Destination Charters

TC Bass Destination Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $440 per group - 4 Hour Trip (4 hours)
  • US $550 per group - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
  • US $660 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
When you book a trip with TC Bass Destination Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS Lowrance HDS
  • Fishfinder Lowrance HDS
  • Wireless trolling motor
Trips booked with TC Bass Destination Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Snacks (I keep Kind snack bars onboard)
  • Drinks (Bottled water on ice)
TC Bass Destination Charters offers the following type of fishing:
  • Lake fishing (Mostly Grand Traverse Bay, inland lakes available)
TC Bass Destination Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
Top targeted fish species with TC Bass Destination Charters include:
  • Bass (Smallmouth)

Your captain

Norvel Derickson
Norvel Derickson
Norvel Derickson

Traverse City, Michigan, United States

1 Fishing Report
ID & license verified
33 Customer reviews
Typical response within 5 hours
Member since July 2020

After retiring as a mechanical engineer in the power industry, Captain Norvel Derickson turned his passion for Bass fishing into a charter business. Come join him in Traverse City and create lovely memories on the water.

1 Fishing Report
ID & license verified
33 Customer reviews
Typical response within 5 hours
Member since July 2020

After retiring as a mechanical engineer in the power industry, Captain Norvel Derickson turned his passion for Bass fishing into a charter business. Come join him in Traverse City and create lovely memories on the water.

The fish you can target

Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
2 persons
Boat length
21 ft
Year built
2011
Boat manufacturer
Ranger
Boat type
Bass boat
Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
60 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Lake Fishing
Mostly Grand Traverse Bay, inland lakes available

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Jigging

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Lowrance HDS
Fishfinder
Lowrance HDS
Wireless trolling motor

What's included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Snacks
I keep Kind snack bars onboard
Drinks
Bottled water on ice

How cancellations work

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup agreed upon reservation

Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.

Child friendly
No alcohol
Catch and release mandatory

How you can pay

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.

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

 Visa

 Mastercard

 American Express

 PayPal

What’s biting in Traverse City right now

Bass (Smallmouth)Bass (Smallmouth)

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
TC Bass Destination Charters
TC Bass Destination Charters
4.9
(33)
21 ft
Group size 1 - 2
1 - 2
Fish 1
4 hour trip • 2 persons
US $440