Traverse City Charter Fishing

Traverse City Charter Fishing is located in Traverse City and offers to show you a memorable time in these waters.

Capt. Jeffrey will do his best to make sure you have a fun day full of fishing. He specializes in heavy tackle trolling, all to get you on that bite. This involves 4-hour trips, mainly fishing for Lake Trout, Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout, depending on the season and conditions on the day.

Your fishing adventure starts on a 30’ Luhrs boat that can safely take up to 6 anglers. This boat features a toilet and fighting chair. The price of your trip includes all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you’ll need for a productive day on the water. Please make sure to buy a valid fishing license ahead of time.

You can keep anything you catch, as long as it’s legal to do so. Here to help you with anything you need, the first mate will be on hand during the trip. Leaving a tip for a job well done is much appreciated.

This is a children-friendly charter, so you’re welcome to bring your kids on for a fun fishing adventure. West Grand Traverse Bay is the perfect place to take kids fishing. You are surrounded by land on 3 sides, so the water is typically calm and the fish are usually cooperative.

Book your trip now and hit the water with Traverse City Charter Fishing.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 20 - Oct 15
    US $600
    Typically last 4-5 hours.
    Targeted fish
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    US $600
    I half-day trip is typically 4 to 5 hours. We like to make sure that you get at least four hours of fishing.
    Targeted fish
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Whitefish (Lake)
    Lake Whitefish
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
There are 4 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Traverse City Charter Fishing

Traverse City Charter Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group - Half Day Trip (4 hours)

When you book a trip with Traverse City Charter Fishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet There is an actual head (bathroom) on the boat. It isn’t fancy, but it is very functional and private.
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Outriggers

Trips booked with Traverse City Charter Fishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (We fillet and bag the fish as part of your experience. There is no extra charge. )
  • First Mate (Dave and I have been fishing together for the past 14 years. We are both from Traverse City and have spent our whole lives Fishing on West Grand Traverse Bay. I guess if you look at it that way, we have about 130 years of experience between us!)

Traverse City Charter Fishing offers the following types of fishing:
  • Lake Fishing (West Grand Traverse Bay)
  • Nearshore Fishing

Traverse City Charter Fishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Trolling

Top targeted fish species with Traverse City Charter Fishing include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)
  • Whitefish (Lake)

Meet the Captain

Jeffrey Shaw
Traverse City, Michigan, United States
3 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
15 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2022
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.
I grew up fishing in Grand Traverse Bay. I have been fishing the bay for over 55 years. My father was a big fisherman and it was some of the best times of my life fishing with him. I spent 3 years on a commercial fishing boat in Kodiak, Alaska before becoming a Chiropractor. My office, where I practiced for 30 years, is on the shore of West Grand Traverse Bay.

About this listing

Targeted species

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

Boat specs

Luhrs (Center console) originally built in 1988. Powered by 2 350HP Mercury Crusaders engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 25 knots.

Length
30 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Lake Fishing
West Grand Traverse Bay
Nearshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Trolling

Amenities

Toilet
There is an actual head (bathroom) on the boat. It isn’t fancy, but it is very functional and private.
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Outriggers

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
We fillet and bag the fish as part of your experience. There is no extra charge. 
First Mate
Dave and I have been fishing together for the past 14 years. We are both from Traverse City and have spent our whole lives Fishing on West Grand Traverse Bay. I guess if you look at it that way, we have about 130 years of experience between us!

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
The bay is s great place to take kids!
You Keep Catch
We fillet and bag the fish.

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 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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
Checks
Bank Transfer

Traverse City Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 15 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (29)
Great half day trip with Captain Jeff
Great half day trip with Captain Jeff
Great half day trip with Captain Jeff
+26
Angler rating
15
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%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 15 reviews
Jeff V.
New York, New York
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Capt. Jeff

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on June 25, 2023
My wife and I had a very enjoyable fishing trip. Not only were Capt Jeff and his crewmate knowledgeable about fishing they...
Jeff V. recommends Traverse City Charter Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jeffrey Shaw Captain replied

Will F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing people and a great charter!!!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on June 27, 2023
Captain Jeff and first mate Dave were extremely friendly, very knowledgeable, and super nice! We had great conversations throughout...
Will F. recommends Traverse City Charter Fishing
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You found this review helpful
  Jeffrey Shaw Captain replied

Jason V.
Royal Oak, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great half day trip with Captain Jeff

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on September 3, 2023
Caught some great fish with Captain Jeff and First mate Dave. The crew was professional, knowledgeable, and personable. Great...
Jason V. recommends Traverse City Charter Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jeffrey Shaw Captain replied

Hollis B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great for families!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on July 3, 2023
Had a half day morning trip with 2 adults and 3 kids (7/9/11 years).  We caught a pile of lake trout and Capt. Jeff and Dave...
Hollis B. recommends Traverse City Charter Fishing
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You found this review helpful
  Jeffrey Shaw Captain replied

Larry J.
Clearwater, FL
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 Jeff and first mate Dave

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on August 8, 2023
Capt. Jeff and first mate Dave were friendly and knowledgeable. Their boat was well equipped and felt very safe. We caught...
Larry J. recommends Traverse City Charter Fishing
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You found this review helpful
  Jeffrey Shaw Captain replied