Art of Fishing Guide Service
Art of Fishing Guide Service
Book your next trip with Art Ferguson, a 4-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier who’s been guiding on these waters for 34 years! Come fish at Art of Fishing Guide Service and find out what you're missing in St. Clair Shores. Best known for its world class Smallmouth Bass Fishery, it also has plenty of Largemouth Bass.
We use all lures on these trips and Art will supply anything needed. From the most advanced tournament pros to total beginners, Art will accommodate your needs on the water. Most angling is lighter spinning tackle.
Families making a day of it will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! Customers are encouraged to bring snacks so that everyone stays happy and energized!
Captain Art runs a 22' Triton Center Console Bay Boat with space for 4-5 anglers. It’s set up with all the latest gear, graphs and trolling motor while pushed with a 250 hp Mercury Pro XS motor for those long runs. Capt. Art will supply rods and reels for you.
You will need to buy a local fishing license before the trip. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Some species may be off limits or require a special tag, so make sure you know what to expect.
Don't forget to bring sunscreen (non-spray), and sunglasses. Bottled water will be available for you. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.
If there's more you'd like to know about fishing with Art of Fishing Guide Service, you can send Capt. Art a message down below.
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (3)
Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Apr 28, 2025
Full Day Trip
2 Days Fishing with Art
I went pre-spawn smallie fishing on Lake St Clair with Art for 1.5 days on April 28 and 29. The first day the weather was perfect and we caught at least 2 over 5 pounds (weighed) and 28 more between 2 and 5 pounds. It was a fantastic day! Day 2 was a day of wind, but we still found them using a variety of techniques in and out of the waves and wind. Tremendously successful 1.5 days of fishing, which is what I've come to expect from my years of fishing with Art! Also, as an older guy, I love his new boat where I can fish comfortably below the gunnel and still have all the access I need to cast and land those beautiful giant small mouths. It is just so much fun! As noted, I've been fishing with Art for a long time now. He's a great teacher, as well as being an attentive guide. He knows when I need help, when to leave me alone and his help is always respectful of my skills and limitations. Of course, after all of our hours together we do banter pretty well when one of us misses a fish or two. Please enjoy a trip with Art! The fishing is good year around and the pre-spawn and late fall fishing are just magical; do dress warm in late fall! All the best!
I went pre-spawn smallie fishing on Lake St Clair with Art for 1.5 days on April 28 and 29. The first day the weather was perfect...
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Sep 23, 2024
3/4 Day Trip
Fall Lake St. Clair Trip with Art
I’ve been fishing with Art multiple times, and my father with him many more times than me, and we always have an incredible time. He’s an unbelievably knowledgeable and experienced bass guide, and also, a really great guy! Always have great conversations and always end up with a lot of fish. And on my most recent trip, when the weather was not so great and the bass action was slow… I ended up boating the biggest fish of my life (by far) - a gigantic 64” sturgeon! Highly, highly recommended!
I’ve been fishing with Art multiple times, and my father with him many more times than me, and we always have an incredible time....
Mark review as helpful
Mark review as helpful
Jul 22, 2025
3/4 Day Trip
Great trip!!
Cap art was great. First time small mouth fishing and he put us on em! Showed my wife and I the technique first thing and we caught good ones.. and my wife doesn’t fish!!!
Cap art was great. First time small mouth fishing and he put us on em! Showed my wife and I the technique first thing and we caught...
Captain repliedMark review as helpful
Aug 20, 2025
3/4 Day Trip
August fishing trip
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Trip availability and prices
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (3)
Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
2 Days Fishing with Art
Full Day Trip on April 28, 2025
I went pre-spawn smallie fishing on Lake St Clair with Art for 1.5 days on April 28 and 29. The first day the weather was perfect and we caught at least 2 over 5 pounds (weighed) and 28 more between 2 and 5 pounds. It was a fantastic day! Day 2 was a day of wind, but we still found them using a variety of techniques in and out of the waves and wind. Tremendously successful 1.5 days of fishing, which is what I've come to expect from my years of fishing with Art! Also, as an older guy, I love his new boat where I can fish comfortably below the gunnel and still have all the access I need to cast and land those beautiful giant small mouths. It is just so much fun! As noted, I've been fishing with Art for a long time now. He's a great teacher, as well as being an attentive guide. He knows when I need help, when to leave me alone and his help is always respectful of my skills and limitations. Of course, after all of our hours together we do banter pretty well when one of us misses a fish or two. Please enjoy a trip with Art! The fishing is good year around and the pre-spawn and late fall fishing are just magical; do dress warm in late fall! All the best!
I went pre-spawn smallie fishing on Lake St Clair with Art for 1.5 days on April 28 and 29. The first day the weather was perfect and we caught at least 2 over 5 pounds (weighed) and 28 more between 2 and 5 pounds. It was a fantastic day! Day 2 was a day of wind, but we still found them using a variety of techniques in and out of the waves and wind. Tremendously successful 1.5 days of fishing, which is what I've come to expect from my years of fishing with Art! Also, as an older guy, I love...
Mark review as helpful
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fall Lake St. Clair Trip with Art
3/4 Day Trip on September 23, 2024
I’ve been fishing with Art multiple times, and my father with him many more times than me, and we always have an incredible time. He’s an unbelievably knowledgeable and experienced bass guide, and also, a really great guy! Always have great conversations and always end up with a lot of fish. And on my most recent trip, when the weather was not so great and the bass action was slow… I ended up boating the biggest fish of my life (by far) - a gigantic 64” sturgeon! Highly, highly recommended!
I’ve been fishing with Art multiple times, and my father with him many more times than me, and we always have an incredible time. He’s an unbelievably knowledgeable and experienced bass guide, and also, a really great guy! Always have great conversations and always end up with a lot of fish. And on my most recent trip, when the weather was not so great and the bass action was slow… I ended up boating the biggest fish of my life (by far) - a gigantic 64” sturgeon! Highly, highly recommended!
Mark review as helpful
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great trip!!
3/4 Day Trip on July 22, 2025
Cap art was great. First time small mouth fishing and he put us on em! Showed my wife and I the technique first thing and we caught good ones.. and my wife doesn’t fish!!!
Cap art was great. First time small mouth fishing and he put us on em! Showed my wife and I the technique first thing and we caught good ones.. and my wife doesn’t fish!!!
Mark review as helpful
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
August fishing trip
3/4 Day Trip on August 20, 2025
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FAQs about Art of Fishing Guide Service
The fish you can target
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