Showtime Charters
Showtime Charters
Showtime Charters runs angling trips out of Traverse City and offers to show you what fishing the Great Lakes is all about.
Captain Johnny Barlow is here to get you on some fish, and to make sure you have fun doing it. You'll be using techniques like bottom fishing and trolling, depending on what you're going after. As part of their 4-hour trips, you can target species like Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, and Brown Trout, depending on the season and weather conditions.
Your fishing adventure starts on a 31' Tiara offshore sportfishing boat that can safely take up to 6 anglers. She features a toilet, ice box, and fighting chair to give you everything you need for a productive and comfortable day. When it comes to rods, reels, and terminal tackle, everything you need is also included in the price.
Want to bring the rest of the family along for the ride? Kids are welcome aboard, so you're free to make it a family adventure. Capt. Johnny and his first mate Liam promise to teach them all about fishing, and they'll even clean and fillet your catch at the end of the day. Tips are always appreciated for a job well done. All you need to do is buy a fishing license before the trip.
Book your trip now and hit these world-class waterways with Showtime Charters!
Showtime Charters runs angling trips out of Traverse City and offers to show you what fishing the Great Lakes is all about.
Captain Johnny Barlow is here to get you on some fish, and to make sure you have fun doing it. You'll be using techniques like bottom fishing and trolling, depending on what you're going after. As part of their 4-hour trips, you can target species like Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, and Brown Trout, depending on the season and weather conditions.
Your fishing adventure starts on a 31' Tiara offshore sportfishing boat that can safely take up to 6 anglers. She features a toilet, ice box, and fighting chair to give you everything you need for a productive and comfortable day. When it comes to rods, reels, and terminal tackle, everything you need is also included in the price.
Want to bring the rest of the family along for the ride? Kids are welcome aboard, so you're free to make it a family adventure. Capt. Johnny and his first mate Liam promise to teach them all about fishing, and they'll even clean and fillet your catch at the end of the day. Tips are always appreciated for a job well done. All you need to do is buy a fishing license before the trip.
Book your trip now and hit these world-class waterways with Showtime Charters!
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Trip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (379)
What anglers say
Reviews (172)
David Laake5.0VerifiedGreat day on the water!
Half Day Trip - 11:30 AM on July 16, 2026 • 5 adultsCaptain Johnny Barlow was great. He and his first mate made us feel welcome from the beginning. They did everything to help us have a good day. The smoke from the Canadian wild fires made visibility difficult but they kept searching for spots that allowed us to catch fish. We caught 9 on a maximum of 10 for our group. We had 2 others on the line but they got away. We could have had our maximum. All but one was caught in the last 2 hours of our 4 hour charter. A testament to their determination and knowledge of how to get success for us when others would have given up. The boat and gear were great and they kept the conversation lively. I completely recommend this fishing charter!
Tyler Griswold5.0VerifiedUnforgettable Family Experience
Half Day Trip on August 14, 2026 • 5 adults • 3 childrenCaptain Johnny Barlow and First Mate Ben Green were absolutely incredible. We booked our trip on a whim as a first charter fishing experience for my wife and kids and we couldnt have had a better experience. These guys were great with our kids, extremely professional, fun and obviously masters of their craft. Our first experience doing this as a family just turned into what will be an annual vacation tradition and booking again next year with Showtime and Captain Johnny! Thanks again for a great day on the water!
Jolynn Brant5.0VerifiedBest trip ever with rough weather conditions!
Half Day Trip - 11:30 AM on August 23, 2026 • 5 adults • 2 childrencaptain Jhonny and mate Alex where amazing with my kids and family, making the trip fun and memorable, even though the weather conditions where terrible we cough a few fish! recommend them for any family with little ones! i will for sure be reaching out to them for our girls trip as well!! they cleaned and cut our chatch!!! and they even took my boys to grind the “fish leftover parts!” 10/10 Happy fishing!!!
Donald CombsRepeat angler5.0VerifiedNewGreat Fishing Experience!
Half Day Trip on September 10, 2026 • 2 adultsWe were on fish in a matter of minutes. The Crew was very professional and personable. Very well maintained and clean boat. I will be using these guys again!!!
David Hendrixon5.0VerifiedGreat Trip
Half Day Trip - 11:30 AM on August 15, 2026 • 4 adultsWe had a great trip with Cpt Johnny. He’s knowledgeable, easy going, and has a nice boat and equipment. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an enjoyable fishing experience. We learned too late that bananas are bad luck on a fishing boat (see my friend’s shirt), but we were still successful!
Dave FughRepeat angler5.0VerifiedLook No Further
Half Day Trip on June 20, 2026 • 3 adultsBook well in advance. This boat and crew know how to fish! Wonderful personalities and really knowledgeable. We caught our limit of 10 fish in a couple hours. They have a relationship with Harrington's who will cook the fish 3 different ways.
Joseph Long5.0VerifiedWow!
Half Day Trip - 11:30 AM on September 4, 2026 • 2 adultsCaptain John and First Mate Mike were awesome! Knowledgeable, fun, and worked hard to make our excursion memorable. We are going home with a cooler full of fish and would definitely book with them again.
- Daniel Hall5.0Verified
Best first time big fishing!!
Half Day Trip - 11:30 AM on August 22, 2026 • 4 adults • 1 childmy kids reeled in 4 large lake trouts. Captain and 1st mate where great! Boat was well maintained and clean. Had great fishing rods and fancy equipment. Will absolutly book with Showtime again in the future.
Shane Cox5.0Verifiedabsolutely awesome
Half Day Trip - 11:30 AM on August 8, 2026 • 4 adultsi had an amazing time. my duaghters and wife enjoyed it as well. captain and deck hand were absolutely awesome people and very hospitable. wveryhting was perfect. i already book trip for next year!!
Andrew Henrichs5.0VerifiedWonderful morning trip!
Half Day Trip on July 27, 2026 • 5 adults • 2 childrenWe caught our limit of 10 Lake Trout and we were back by 10 AM! Had a great captain and crew that knew their stuff! Our family of five and great time and is ready to go again.
Rating
Anglers' gallery (379)
What anglers say
All reviews (172)
Captain Johnny Barlow was great. He and his first mate made us feel welcome from the beginning. They did everything to help us have a good day. The smoke from the Canadian wild fires made visibility difficult but they kept searching for spots that allowed us to catch fish. We caught 9 on a maximum of 10 for our group. We had 2 others on the line but they got away. We could have had our maximum. All but one was caught in the last 2 hours of our 4 hour charter. A testament to their determination and knowledge of how to get success for us when others would have given up. The boat and gear were great and they kept the conversation lively. I completely recommend this fishing charter!
Thank you David, we had a great time with yall as well. Looking forward to the next time.
Captain Johnny Barlow and First Mate Ben Green were absolutely incredible. We booked our trip on a whim as a first charter fishing experience for my wife and kids and we couldnt have had a better experience. These guys were great with our kids, extremely professional, fun and obviously masters of their craft. Our first experience doing this as a family just turned into what will be an annual vacation tradition and booking again next year with Showtime and Captain Johnny! Thanks again for a great day on the water!
Thank you Tyler!! We had a blast with you guys and are glad to hear you did too. Looking forward to next time out.
captain Jhonny and mate Alex where amazing with my kids and family, making the trip fun and memorable, even though the weather conditions where terrible we cough a few fish! recommend them for any family with little ones! i will for sure be reaching out to them for our girls trip as well!! they cleaned and cut our chatch!!! and they even took my boys to grind the “fish leftover parts!” 10/10 Happy fishing!!!
Thank you, we had a great time and loved getting the kids on fish. looking forward to the next time as well.
We were on fish in a matter of minutes. The Crew was very professional and personable. Very well maintained and clean boat. I will be using these guys again!!!
Thank you guys. We had so much fun with you two. I hope the hiking and the rest of your trip goes great. We hope to see you again down the road. Safe travels.
My family and I really enjoyed ourselves. The captain and crew were excellent. The captain gave my son a lifetime memory by allowing him to steer the boat. It was windy which affected our experience, but we caught a few and didn’t leave empty handed. So, I give a 10. Thx Captain Jonny, like I said Ill be back.
Thank you guys. we had a blast with the whole family. im so glad your son had so much fun. He did great. Hope to see you again soon.
FAQs about Showtime Charters
- US $700 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
- US $700 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip - 11:30 AM (4 hours)
- US $700 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (Evening) (4 hours)
- Toilet Our bathroom is in the cabin of the boat and is private. It is similar to a camper restroom.
- Fighting chair
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Bed
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Outriggers
- Ice box Cooler to keep your catch in
- Radar
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (Cleaning and bagging your catch is included. We take care of this at our private cleaning table. )
- First mate (Teaches and will coach you through how to catch )
- Lake fishing
- Light tackle
- Bottom fishing
- Trolling
- Brown Trout
- Lake Trout
- Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
- Salmon (Chinook)
Your operator
Traverse City, Michigan, United States
I have been fishing in and around Traverse city since 2016. I enjoy getting out on the water and helping others enjoy what West Bay has to offer, and am privileged to do it with my son.
Landen S.
Captain
Real catches by this captain
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
How cancellations work
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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.
What the listing policies are
Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
How you can pay
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
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Traverse City right now
Brown Trout
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)Compare similar fishing charters
5.0(230)28 ftGroup size 1 - 61 - 6
+104 hour trip • 6 personsUS $550
