River Valley Charter Service

Based in Chillicothe, River Valley Charter Service offers fully-equipped guided fishing trips on the Illinois River and the surrounding areas. Your Captain Austin Griggs was born and raised in Central Illinois where he has fished everywhere from strip pits to the river and all places in between. He is a 21 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard where he learned how to operate various-sized watercraft. Retiring in 2019, he obtained his Merchant Mariner Credentials from Explorers Guide LLC and started River Valley Charter Service LLC in 2019.

You will get a one-on-one seminar on the different tips and techniques used on the waters of Central Illinois. You will also get tips on electronics and what the captain looks for on the screen to know where to start fishing. Captain Austin enjoys talking with all my clients and making lifelong friendships while out on the water!

The boat you will use is a 19’ Vexus angler boat with room for up to 3 guests. It runs on a single 200 HP Mercury v8 engine, uses Humminbird and Lowrance navigation technology, and features a wireless trolling motor. It has also got a livewell and an ice-box.

The wide variety of prized freshwater species you will target includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, and White Bass, as well as Walleye, Crappie, Sauger, and Carp. You can troll, spin, and jig to catch them, all using light tackle. You are welcome to bring kids on your trip as well as to keep your catch.

Captain Austin provides you with fishing tackle, live bait, as well as lures. You bring snacks, drinks, and your fishing licenses, and you will be set for the trip.

Join River Valley Charter Service and have a great freshwater fishing experience in Illinois!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Sat, Sun)
    US $400
    Come aboard and explore the beautiful Illinois River or local lake depending on where the bite is. Captain Austin will provide you with all the fishing equipment you will need and help you have an enjoyable stay on the water.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:30 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Sat, Sun)
    US $400
    Have a great time fishing the Illinois River or local lake for 6 hours in the afternoon. The captain will take you to the location with the best bite and help you have a successful and pleasant trip. You will depart at 1:30 p.m. and return at 7:30 p.m.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Lake Erie Walleye - 2 MAX
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Nov 12 - Nov 18
    US $600
    This is only for the Fall Brawl/Walleye Slam Tournament. All customers must be entered in both tournaments to book this trip. Want a chance to catch the fish of a lifetime and have that fish win you two brand new boats valued at over $300K. ****Two Person Maximum*****
    Targeted fish
    Walleye
    Walleye
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Sat, Sun)
    US $600
    Depending on where the bite is, you and your captain will be searching the gorgeous and productive waters of Central Illinois. Whether it be a local lake or the lovely Illinois River, the captain will make sure you have the best chance of catching fish!

FAQs about River Valley Charter Service

River Valley Charter Service offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $400 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $400 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $600 per group - Full Day Lake Erie Walleye - 2 MAX (8 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with River Valley Charter Service, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS Humminbird Helix 9
  • Fishfinder Humminbird Helix 9
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with River Valley Charter Service include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures

River Valley Charter Service offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing (Illinois River)
  • Lake Fishing (Lake Evergreen)

River Valley Charter Service offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Trolling
  • Jigging

Top targeted fish species with River Valley Charter Service include:
  • Bass (Largemouth)
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Bass (White)
  • Carp
  • Crappie
  • Sauger
  • Walleye

Meet the Captain

Austin Griggs
Chillicothe, Illinois, United States
ID & license verified
17 Customer reviews
Response time 9 hours
Member since August 2021
Captain Austin grew up fishing in Central Illinois when he was old enough to hold a pole. He did some Bass tournament angling on the Ilinois and Mississippi Rivers and lakes around IL placing 1st and 2nd in several of the tournaments. After retiring from the Coast Guard in 2019 and having all the requirements to obtain a Captain’s license, the captain decided to start his company.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Largemouth) Largemouth Bass
Bass (Smallmouth) Smallmouth Bass
Bass (White) White Bass
Carp Carp

Boat specs

Vexus (Bass boat) originally built in 2021. Powered by a 200HP Mercury engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 46 knots.

Length
19 ft
Capacity
3 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Illinois River
Lake Fishing
Lake Evergreen

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Trolling
Jigging

Amenities

GPS
Humminbird Helix 9
Fishfinder
Humminbird Helix 9
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures

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
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
PayPal
Checks
Bank Transfer

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 17 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (31)
Afternoon (3\/4 day) trip with Captain Austin
Afternoon (3\/4 day) trip with Captain Austin
May fishing trip
+28
Angler rating
17
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
5 of 17 reviews
Tracey C.
Chillicothe, Illinois
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Afternoon (3/4 day) trip with Captain Austin

3/4 Day Trip (PM) on May 28, 2022
We went out with Captain Austin on Memorial Day weekend. When we met up, he was completely honest in letting us know fish we’re...
Tracey C. recommends River Valley Charter Service
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  Austin Griggs Captain replied

David V.
Chillicothe, Illinois
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing Fun

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip (PM) on June 10, 2022
Austin is both pleasant and professional. His boat and equipment is top shelf. While the weather was uncooperative Austin...
David V. recommends River Valley Charter Service
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  Austin Griggs Captain replied

Rawley M.
Chandler, AZ
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Austin

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on October 29, 2022
Started out cold and foggy but turned into a great weather day. Austin is a upstanding guy always ready to help and has his...
Rawley M. recommends River Valley Charter Service
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  Austin Griggs Captain replied

Anthony T.
Chicago Heights, IL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing Trip

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on April 15, 2022
Our fishing experience with Captain Austin couldn’t have been any better. He worked hard and made sure we caught fish. He...
Anthony T. recommends River Valley Charter Service
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  Austin Griggs Captain replied

Ioerger I.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day Illinois river Crappie with Captain Austin

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip (AM) on October 17, 2021
Captain Austin was very knowledgeable about fishing the Illinois River. He was able to put us on a lot of quality Crappie....
Ioerger I. recommends River Valley Charter Service
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  Austin Griggs Captain replied