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Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip 

5.0
(5 reviews)
 Bridge Street, Manistee, MI 49660, United States–
+35
+32
Angler's Choice

Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip 

Manistee, MI, United States
–
18 ft
3
5.0
(5 reviews)
Trips & prices
Targeted species
Boat info
What's biting
What's included
Contact captain
Trips & prices
What's included
Targeted species
Boat info
Reviews
Contact captain

With Rippin Drag Charters, you can plan to have a great time and plenty of fun! Captain Derek brings years 25 years of fishing expertise, US Coast Guard approved, and is licensed and insured to make sure your fishing adventure is memorable and full of excitement on Michigan's rivers and lakes.

Depending on the season, you could reel in Rainbow Trout (Steelhead), Chinook and Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and so much more. In April, the Detroit River is a prime spot for Walleye fishing, offering great opportunities to have a trip of a lifetime. Fishing techniques vary based on the target species, so you might experience light tackle fishing, trolling, jigging, or other methods popular in this area.

Planning a family outing? Kids are absolutely welcome! Just remember, children need to wear life vests, so check with the captain to ensure the right size is on board. And don't forget to pack some snacks for the day!

Your excursion takes place aboard an 18' Stealth Craft StealthWeld jet boat, perfectly equipped for up to three passengers and stocked with all the essentials. Captain Derek provides rods, reels, lures, and live bait, so you won't need to bring your own.

You will need to purchase a State of Michigan fishing license. Licensing information is available online, or you can ask the captain. Remember to bring along sunblock (non-spray), sunglasses, and bottled water.

Get ready for a great day on the water with Rippin Drag Charters, where every moment is crafted to make your fishing adventure unforgettable. Book your trip today and enjoy the experience of a lifetime!

With Rippin Drag Charters, you can plan to have a great time and plenty of fun! Captain Derek brings years 25 years of fishing expertise, US Coast Guard approved, and is licensed and insured to make sure your fishing adventure is memorable and full of excitement on Michigan's rivers and lakes.

Depending on the season, you could reel in Rainbow Trout (Steelhead), Chinook and Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and so much more. In April, the Detroit River is a prime spot for Walleye fishing, offering great opportunities to have a trip of a lifetime. Fishing techniques vary based on the target species, so you might experience light tackle fishing, trolling, jigging, or other methods popular in this area.

Planning a family outing? Kids are absolutely welcome! Just remember, children need to wear life vests, so check with the captain to ensure the right size is on board. And don't forget to pack some snacks for the day!

Your excursion takes place aboard an 18' Stealth Craft StealthWeld jet boat, perfectly equipped for up to three passengers and stocked with all the essentials. Captain Derek provides rods, reels, lures, and live bait, so you won't need to bring your own.

You will need to purchase a State of Michigan fishing license. Licensing information is available online, or you can ask the captain. Remember to bring along sunblock (non-spray), sunglasses, and bottled water.

Get ready for a great day on the water with Rippin Drag Charters, where every moment is crafted to make your fishing adventure unforgettable. Book your trip today and enjoy the experience of a lifetime!

Rippin Drag Charters
Charter Operator
Rippin Drag Charters
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour
Popular features
Live bait
You keep catch
Catch cleaning & filleting
Child friendly
Rods, reels & tackle
Popular features
Live bait
You keep catch
Catch cleaning & filleting
Child friendly
Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
6 Hour Trip – Manistee River
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Nov 1 - Mar 15 (Sat, Sun)
Salmon
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $350
Entire boat: 2 people
8 Hour Trip – Manistee River
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Nov 1 - Mar 15 (Sat, Sun)
Salmon
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $500
Entire boat: 2 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
5 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (5)

Reviews (5)

  • Charlie Dean
    Charlie Dean
    Member since 2024
    5.0

    Half day trip with captain Derek

    6 Hour Trip – Manistee River on May 27, 2024

    Captain Derek from a ripping drag charters will do his best to put you on fish some of the pics are from some of the best trout fishing I had ever had and had many great salmon and steel head trips the same. By going with captain Derek it was an awesome experience.

  • Phillip Fleury
    Phillip Fleury
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2022
    5.0

    Manistee River

    8 Hour Trip – Manistee River on September 7, 2024

    I’ve booked four trips with Derek and Karla this year!! We were always on the fish and had an excellent time!! The price was good, professional, fun to be with and memories were definitely made!!!

  • Russell Roberts
    Russell Roberts
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Awesome trip

    6 Hour Trip – Manistee River on March 8, 2026 • 2 adults

    So accommodating Derrick and Karla were amazing. Got us on fish right away very knowledgeable would go again in a heartbeat

  • Amanda Nasor
    Amanda Nasor
    Member since 2024
    5.0

    Great Birthday Gift

    6 Hour Trip – Manistee River on September 14, 2024

    I booked a trip with Derek and Karla for my husband and father, and they had an amazing morning on the water. Karla and Derek were very accommodating, knowledgeable, and friendly. They came home with bags full of delicious fish! We will definitely be booking more trips in the future!

FAQs about Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip

Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $350 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Manistee River (6 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - 8 Hour Trip – Manistee River (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS Hummingbird
  • Fishfinder Hummingbird
  • Wireless trolling motor Minn Kota Terrova
Trips booked with Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (If live bait is required, it will be provided )
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (All trips offer complementary fish cleaning)
Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip offers the following types of fishing:
  • River fishing (Manistee and Detroit River)
  • Lake fishing (Northern Michigan Inland Lakes for The Hot Bite)
Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
Top targeted fish species with Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Perch (Yellow)
  • Pike (Northern)
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)
  • Walleye

Your operator

Rippin Drag Charters
Rippin Drag Charters
Manistee, Michigan, United States
3 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
22 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since November 2024
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.
With over 25 years of fishing experience, I am passionate about both the sport and sharing my knowledge of fishing with others. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a first-timer, my extensive expertise ensures you'll have a memorable and successful fishing trip. Specializing in a variety of species, including steelhead, salmon, and walleye, I tailor each trip to suit the needs and experience level of my clients. I am is also a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, licensed, and insured captain, providing an added layer of safety and professionalism to every trip. I am commitment to top-tier service means your time on the water is not only fun but also safe and well-organized. When I am not guiding fishing trips, I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter in northern Michigan, where you can often find them fishing on the region's pristine waters. While I'm at the helm, you're guaranteed an unforgettable adventure filled with fun, learning, and, of course, great fishing!
Our Team
Karla S.
Karla S.
First mate
Derek S.
Derek S.
Captain
Rippin Drag Charters
Rippin Drag Charters
Fully verified
Angler's Choice
3
reports
22
reviews
2024
member since
~1h
response
With over 25 years of fishing experience, I am passionate about both the sport and sharing my knowledge of fishing with others. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a first-timer, my extensive expertise ensures you'll have a memorable and successful fishing trip. Specializing in a variety of species, including steelhead, salmon, and walleye, I tailor each trip to suit the needs and experience level of my clients. I am is also a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, licensed, and insured captain, providing an added layer of safety and professionalism to every trip. I am commitment to top-tier service means your time on the water is not only fun but also safe and well-organized. When I am not guiding fishing trips, I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter in northern Michigan, where you can often find them fishing on the region's pristine waters. While I'm at the helm, you're guaranteed an unforgettable adventure filled with fun, learning, and, of course, great fishing!
The crew
Karla S.
Karla S.
First mate
Derek S.
Derek S.
Captain

The fish you can target

Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Northern Pike
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon
Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon
Walleye
Walleye
Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Northern Pike
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon
Salmon

Real catches by this captain

  • An angler proudly displaying a large Steelhead trout while fishing on a river, showcasing the thrill of freshwater fishing.
    Fish 1
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Steelhead fishing on the Big Manistee River is off to a strong start this November. Water conditions have been steady, and recent pushes of fish have provided solid catch numbers throughout the system. We’re seeing a healthy mix of fresh chrome moving in along with holdovers settling into classic runs. With the current river temps and flows, action should continue to build—setting the stage for what looks to be a great steelhead season ahead. Our clients are already putting some beautiful fish in the net, and the momentum is only increasing. If you're looking to get in on the early bite, now’s the time—November is shaping up to be prime steelheading. Book your trip and let’s rip some drag!
  • Three anglers proudly displaying a large Walleye caught during a winter fishing trip, showcasing their successful catch in a boat.
    Fish 1
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    The fishing on the Manistee River is on fire, and there’s no better time to book your trip with Rippin Drag Charters! The steelhead numbers are climbing, and March is shaping up to be one of the best months for fishing we've seen in years. With the river in prime condition and fish actively biting, this is the perfect opportunity to reel in your next big catch! If you’re ready for a memorable steelhead adventure, Rippin Drag Charters has you covered. Our experienced guides know the Manistee River inside and out and will put you right on top of the action. We’re here to make sure you have the best experience possible, whether you’re after your first steelhead or chasing a personal record. Don’t miss out! Book your trip with Rippin Drag Charters today and get in on the exciting March steelhead run before it's gone!

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Speed boats
Capacity
3 persons
Boat length
18 ft
Year built
2022
Boat manufacturer
Stealth Craft
Boat type
Jet boat
Engine model
Mercury
Powered by
1 x 80HP
Max cruising speed
23 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

River Fishing
Lake Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Trolling
Jigging

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Hummingbird
Fishfinder
Hummingbird
Wireless trolling motor
Minn Kota Terrova
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
If live bait is required, it will be provided
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
All trips offer complementary fish cleaning

How cancellations work

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.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
All our trips are kid friendly!
You keep catch
Bring a cooler for your catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

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

What’s biting in Manistee right now

Brown TroutBrown Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Chinook)Salmon (Chinook)
Salmon (Coho)Salmon (Coho)
WalleyeWalleye

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip
Rippin Drag Charters - Steelhead Trip
5.0
(5)
18 ft
Group size 1 - 3
1 - 3
Fish 1
Fish 2
+6
6 hour trip • 3 persons
US $350