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.
Thanks!
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.
Thanks!
Trip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (73)
All reviews (20)
My wife & I have a daughter that lives in the Detroit area. In 9/2024, we came up to visit her. Have seen many shows on the Outdoor channel on fishing Lake St.Claire. Started looking online for a guide to fish with “Art of fishing” was at the top of the page. Contacted him to see if he had a day open to fit our schedule. Turns out it was one of the best calls I have ever made. That day last September we caught many nice quality small mouth. With my wife catching one at 5lbs. Art has many years experience on this gigantic beautiful lake. With vast knowledge of what the fish are doing, what the bait fish & shad are doing, water temp, and water color, and he has a recipe for small mouth success! It’s not like you’re fishing with a guide but you’re fishing with a friend. We fished with Art this September for two days. I’m not going to give numbers but we caught many, many quality small mouth both days. Many over 4+ lbs. I caught my PB with a 5 lb 12 oz. monster! Art will work his tail off to put you on fish! Give him a call you won’t be disappointed!! C & CH
Thanks Chris! Awesome 2 days! I appreciate the kind words. Hope to see you soon
Best. Fishing Trip. Ever. We booked a trip with Art Ferguson for my son’s 13th birthday, and it turned into the fishing experience we’ll be talking about for years. My son and two of his buddies were buzzing with excitement, and Art delivered in every way imaginable. We absolutely slammed the smallmouth—70 landed in the boat, with even more we should’ve had! And get this: 10 of those fish were over 4 pounds. That’s not just a good day on the water—that’s legendary. But the real win wasn’t just the numbers. It was Art’s patience, humor, and heart. He took the time to teach the boys, joke with them, and make each one feel like a pro. It wasn’t just a guided trip—it felt like we were out with an old friend who genuinely cared about making the day unforgettable. From the moment we stepped on the boat, Art handled everything with ease and warmth. The weather was perfect, the fish were biting, and the vibe was pure joy. He made the boys laugh, encouraged them, and gave them a birthday memory that’s going to live in family lore forever. If you’re looking for a guide who knows the water, connects with kids, and turns a day of fishing into something truly special—Art Ferguson is your guy. We were blessed with a beautiful day, but even more blessed to spend it with someone who made it an amazing day!
Thank you for the kind words!! I do enjoy fishing with young men who show an interest in my life long passion and they performed in manners and learning abilities to make for an incredible day! 5-1 topped off the trip on our 64th bass at the time!! Wild stuff!
Art was awesome and very knowledgeable. He took us to multiple locations when the fish were slow to bite. Weather was great, which also made for a fun time. Anyone wishing to have a great time on the water pulling in small-mouth bass should book a trip. Make sure you prepare for possible poor weather on the lake.
Thanks David! Enjoyed our morning. Great weather and fellowship! Congrats on PB’s!!
Art is a great Captain. i highly recommend Art due to his lifetime experience of making bass fiahing as his career. He has won many bass fiahing tounments and has extensive experince fiahing Lake St. Clair. On top of that, he is a great guy.
thanks Mike! Great to spend time with your family even if it was in 20 mile an hour winds lol. Glad we caught fish in those elements. Everyone did great.
We had an excellent trip! Weather was nice but the wind was blowing tough. Art still knew where to go and put us on the fish! Our 4 year old had a blast! Would recommend Art to anyone looking to make a guide trip!
awesome day!! thanks again!
FAQs about Art of Fishing Guide Service
- US $400 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
- US $500 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
- US $550 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
- Toilet Bucket, pee jug or hose down
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live bait well
- Wireless trolling motor
- Ice box
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Lures
- Drinks (I supply waters and ice! )
- River fishing (Summer bass fishing on Lake St. Clair, one of the world's greatest smallmouth bass fisheries! Also, fish Detroit River and St. Clair River )
- Lake fishing
- Inshore fishing
- Light tackle
- Spinning
- Jigging
- Bass (Largemouth)
- Bass (Smallmouth)
Your captain
Professional Bass fisherman since 1990. Qualified for 4 Bassmaster Classics and won 2 Bassmaster events. Also, qualified for 4 straight FLW Forrest Wood Cups! Meanwhile, I've been guiding full time since 1990 on Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Detroit River and on St. Clair River. I also guide in Northern Michigan. I've learned and honed my skills and now enjoy teaching novice to professional anglers how to better approach bass and techniques to catch them! I guide in Central Florida for Bass in the winter months and enjoy the change in scenery, warm temperatures and giant Bass!! 2026 will be my 35th year guiding in Florida! Started on Lake Okeechobee (still guide there some) and moved to central Florida in 2005. I fell in love with fishing at a very young age just fishing off the banks/docks and small boats as a kid. 35 years experience I believe makes me one of the best guides on the lakes!
Professional Bass fisherman since 1990. Qualified for 4 Bassmaster Classics and won 2 Bassmaster events. Also, qualified for 4 straight FLW Forrest Wood Cups! Meanwhile, I've been guiding full time since 1990 on Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Detroit River and on St. Clair River. I also guide in Northern Michigan. I've learned and honed my skills and now enjoy teaching novice to professional anglers how to better approach bass and techniques to catch them! I guide in Central Florida for Bass in the winter months and enjoy the change in scenery, warm temperatures and giant Bass!! 2026 will be my 35th year guiding in Florida! Started on Lake Okeechobee (still guide there some) and moved to central Florida in 2005. I fell in love with fishing at a very young age just fishing off the banks/docks and small boats as a kid. 35 years experience I believe makes me one of the best guides on the lakes!
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
What's included in the trip price
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.
What the listing policies are
Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
How you can pay
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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.
What’s biting in St. Clair Shores right now
Bass (Largemouth)
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