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!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 31
    $440
    A half day trip brings you 4.5 hours on the water. The trips typically start at 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. depending on your choice and will return at 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. respectively. Afternoon and evening trips are also available upon your request with negotiable starting times.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Oct 31
    $540
    A 3/4 day trip brings you 6 hours on the water. The trips typically start at 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. depending on your choice and will return at 1:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. respectively. Afternoon and evening trips are also available upon your request with negotiable starting times.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 31
    $600
    A full day trip will have you stay for 8 and a half hours on the water and fish for any species available. It usually starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Just bring your license and embark on this lake fishing adventure.
There are 6 people looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Norvel Derickson
Traverse City, Michigan, United States
ID & License verified
17 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since July 2020
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
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.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Smallmouth) Smallmouth Bass

Boat specs

Ranger (Bass boat) originally built in 2011. Powered by a 250HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 60 knots.

Length
21 ft
Capacity
2 persons

Types of fishing

Lake Fishing
Mostly Grand Traverse Bay, inland lakes available

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Jigging

Amenities

GPS
Lowrance HDS
Fishfinder
Lowrance HDS
Wireless Trolling Motor

Trip includes

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

Cancellation policy

Deposit non-refundable

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

Listing policies

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

Payment

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

Traverse City Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 17 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (23)
Butch helping Emily land a smallmouth
Full day with Captain Norvel
Full day with Captain Norvel
+20
Angler Rating
15
2
0
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
93%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
86%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 17 reviews
Alan M.
New Albany, IN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

4 hour trip with Captain Butch

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip on June 15, 2022
Boat was clean and well equiped. Our tackle was in top condition, especially the line and leaders.  We learned how to spot...
Alan M. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Alan M. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Evan G.
Wadsworth, Ohio
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6 Hour Trip with Captain Butch

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on October 2, 2022
Captain Butch provided a great trip.  He analyzed the weather prior to launch to ensure the wind/waves would be fishable. ...
Evan G. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Evan G. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Mary N.
Dallas, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day with Captain Norvel

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip on September 29, 2022
We just came off the water after a fantastic day with Captain Norvel.  We had so much fun!  1 Personal Best and lots of...
Mary N. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Mary N. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Douglas S.
Hudson, CO
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

1/2 day trip Traverse bay

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip on August 18, 2022
Good equipment, good knowledge of the area and smallmouth techniques, Cpt. Norvell “Butch” got us on some nice 2 - 5 lb...
Douglas S. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Douglas S. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Van G.
Kouts, IN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day on the Lake

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on September 30, 2022
Great experience all around! The boat, the equipment, the fishing and the guide was perfect. Will be back again. Thank You!
Van G. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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Van G. recommends TC Bass Destination Charters
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You found this review helpful

FAQs about TC Bass Destination Charters

TC Bass Destination Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $440 per group - 4 Hour Trip (4 hours)
  • $540 per group - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
  • $600 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)