Berger Ops. Fishing®

5.0/5 (20 reviews)

Riverside Drive 400, Clayton, NY 13624, United States–

Clayton, NY, United States

–

19 ft

5.0/5 (20 reviews)

Angler's Choice

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

Hunt the Legendary St. Lawrence Smallmouth with Berger Ops. Fishing!

The St. Lawrence River is a world-class fishery, but landing giant smallies takes tactical precision. There is a reason behind EVERY detail. With Berger Ops. Fishing, you aren't just booking a charter; you're investing in a lifetime of angling obsession, behavioral fish study, and elite expertise to put you right where the big ones live.

Whether you're a seasoned angler hunting for a new personal best or a beginner learning the basics, you can expect industry-leading tact, energy, and professionalism. I take immense pride in ensuring you learn new techniques, have an unforgettable time, and leave confident that your hard-earned money was well spent. You should come with high expectations!

The Rig: 2024 Custom Prodigy 19' Center Console (2026 overhaul)
Engineered for elite guiding, this boat is an absolute tank. It offers a rock-solid, stable, and stealthy fishing platform built to handle the river with ease.

Tech Advantage: Watch your fish approach in real time with Garmin LiveScope Plus. Boat is also rigged with Garmin trolling motor, Garmin electronics, hydraulic trim tabs, and the new Power-Pole One Pump Blade Shallow Water Anchor System.

On-Board Comfort: Multimedia Entertainment, Premium JBL Sound, integrated LED lighting, dry storage, phone chargers, Yeti Cooler, water and snacks.

Unmatched Safety & Captain Credentials
Step aboard with one of the most highly certified credentialed guides on the water. Total peace of mind for families and hardcore anglers alike:

Insured USCG Licensed Master Captain (25 Ton) & NYS Licensed Fishing Guide

NYS Public Vessel Joint Pilot & Engineer | FCC Licensed Commercial Marine Radio Operator

Safety Certified: Integrated Garmin VHF Radio (with Automatic Vessel Identification/One-Touch Distress), ARC® BLS/CPR/AED/First Aid, and Federal TWIC® credentials.

What to Bring: NY License (16+), appropriate clothing, and a life jacket (required for under 13).

Hunt the Legendary St. Lawrence Smallmouth with Berger Ops. Fishing!

On-Board Comfort: Multimedia Entertainment, Premium JBL Sound, integrated LED lighting, dry storage, phone chargers, Yeti Cooler, water and snacks.

Unmatched Safety & Captain Credentials
Step aboard with one of the most highly certified credentialed guides on the water. Total peace of mind for families and hardcore anglers alike:

Insured USCG Licensed Master Captain (25 Ton) & NYS Licensed Fishing Guide

NYS Public Vessel Joint Pilot & Engineer | FCC Licensed Commercial Marine Radio Operator

Safety Certified: Integrated Garmin VHF Radio (with Automatic Vessel Identification/One-Touch Distress), ARC® BLS/CPR/AED/First Aid, and Federal TWIC® credentials.

What to Bring: NY License (16+), appropriate clothing, and a life jacket (required for under 13).

Popular features

Drinks

Child friendly

Ice box

Rods, reels & tackle

Food (Snacks)

Popular features

Drinks

Child friendly

Ice box

Rods, reels & tackle

Food (Snacks)

Customer reviews

Rating

5.0

20 reviews

5.0

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

5.0

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (54)

All reviews (20)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 20 reviews

Marijo Haggett

Member since 2025

5.0

A Fantastic Family Fishing Experience on the St. Lawrence!

Half Day Trip (PM) on October 12, 2025

We had the best time fishing with Captain Curtis! He was super professional, patient, and clearly loves what he does. All the gear was provided, and he really knows the St. Lawrence River and where to find the fish.

Curtis worked so well with my kids, who each fish a little differently and have different experience levels. He kept everyone involved and having fun the whole trip. The highlight was landing a 5.8-pound smallmouth — such an awesome moment, and his excitement made it even better!

I can’t recommend Curtis enough, especially if you’ve got kids. It’s the perfect way to spend a day on the water with a true pro who makes it fun for everyone.

Reported catch:

Tim Wildrick

New York, US

•

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Great Evening on the Water with Curtis!

Half Day Trip (PM) on August 24, 2025 • 2 adults

My son and I had a fantastic outing with Curtis. The boat is new, impressive, and well-equipped, and Curtis was both professional and welcoming... he went out of his way to set us up for success. He was also generous with his fishing knowledge, sharing tips and techniques that made it even more rewarding. The whole experience felt less like a charter and more like a friend inviting us out.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or brand new, you’ll feel comfortable and have a great time. And best of all, watching my son reel in those smallies was an absolute treat! I wouldn’t hesitate to book with Curtis again.

Response from Captain

August 25, 2025

Thanks so much for a great trip Tim. It’s hard to have a bad time when you’re on a 3lb. bass in the first cast. Thanks for being easy going and dodging a few rain drops. I had a great time myself. All the best. I’d be happy to have you back any time!😎

Richard Frey

Repeat angler

Pennsylvania, US

•

Member since 2025

•

2 trips

5.0

Verified

Afternoon fishing trip and tour

Richard Frey Afternoon Trip on August 16, 2025 • 2 adults

The afternoon trip we took with Captain Curtis Rissberger was a memorable experience. We did about 2 hours fishing then had a boat tour of Wellesley island international rift. This is something that cannot be done on a bigger boat and was so quiet and peaceful. My experience with Captain Curtis Rissberger is he is a down to earth guy who goes above and beyond to always make sure the customer is having a great time. He always puts customer service first and will go that extra mile. I honestly can not say enough good things about our trip and experiences with Captain Curtis Rissberger.

Response from Captain

August 21, 2025

Thanks for booking your second trip in the same day! What a time, fun from sun up to sun down. It was very nice to have the whole family on board. The rift ride was awesome! All the best, I hope to have you back again next year!

Tyler Brown

New York, US

•

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

An Incredible “Smallie” Experience

Tyler Brown Custom on August 9, 2025 • 2 adults

Where do I begin? From the professionalism, to the thoughtfulness and dedication to the sport of fishing, Berger Ops Fishing is a “must” charter on your bucket list for small mouth bass. Captain Curtis is knowledgeable and a great resource on the water for all things bass fishing. Fishing with Captain Curtis is like fishing with a long time friend. By far, the best charter fishing experience I’ve ever had. I’m absolutely thrilled with the results of our trip and the time spent on the water getting to know Captain Curtis and his love for the sport of smallmouth bass fishing!

Response from Captain

August 10, 2025

What an awesome trip! I can’t say thanks enough Tyler. I feel like I made a new friend on top of landing a few good smallies. We had some great fights, big splashes, good weather, and awesome video. Looking forward to having you back for another round. All the best to you! 😎

Heather Fretto

Member since 2025

5.0

Evening trip with Captain Curtis

Half Day Trip (PM) on August 6, 2025

Every year we visit the Thousand Islands and my son just fishes of the docks of the places we stay at. This year I decided to book an evening tcharter with BergerOps so my son could get the full experience of fishing on the River. 
Captain Curtis was waiting for us at the launch when we arrived. The boat was super clean, well-equipped with many fishing poles, beautiful lures handmade by the Captain himself, and I felt very comfortable sending my son off for a few hours. 
Our captain knew exactly where to go, he had a plan in place to make the trip worth it. My son enjoyed the smooth boat ride, the music he got to choose, the conversations and knowledge given for beginners, and of course catching fish! 
Captain Curtis arrived back at the launch on time, both of them were all smiles, and this is now something I will book for my son every year.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

August 13, 2025

Thank you so much for the kind words Heather. It was fun to get on a few fish and share a few good laughs. These spontaneous trips are always a good challenge and fun to guide. I know all about fish stories, but I’m telling you, your son and I lost a big one that day. He will tell you the same! Nothing more heart breaking than the subtle pop of a breaking line. We’ll get ‘em next time… Either way fish in the boat are fish in the boat! I can’t wait to have you back. Best, Capt. Curt😎

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:

Group Size:

Select date to see availability

June 2026

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa

Number of days

Group Size

2 adults • 0 children

Change

Almost there...

Half Day Trip (AM)

4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM

Seasonal trip

Jun 15 - Oct 30 (Fri, Sat, Sun)

US $400

Entire boat: 2 people

US $400

Entire boat: 2 people

Half Day Trip (PM)

4 hour trip starts at 3:00 PM

Seasonal trip

Jun 15 - Oct 30 (Fri, Sat, Sun)

US $400

Entire boat: 2 people

US $400

Entire boat: 2 people

Full Day Trip

8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM

Seasonal trip

Jun 15 - Oct 30 (Fri, Sat, Sun)

US $700

Entire boat: 2 people

US $700

Entire boat: 2 people

There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating

5.0

20 reviews

5.0

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

5.0

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (54)

All reviews (20)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 20 reviews

Marijo Haggett

Member since 2025

5.0

A Fantastic Family Fishing Experience on the St. Lawrence!

Half Day Trip (PM) on October 12, 2025

We had the best time fishing with Captain Curtis! He was super professional, patient, and clearly loves what he does. All the gear was provided, and he really knows the St. Lawrence River and where to find the fish.

Curtis worked so well with my kids, who each fish a little differently and have different experience levels. He kept everyone involved and having fun the whole trip. The highlight was landing a 5.8-pound smallmouth — such an awesome moment, and his excitement made it even better!

I can’t recommend Curtis enough, especially if you’ve got kids. It’s the perfect way to spend a day on the water with a true pro who makes it fun for everyone.

Reported catch:

Tim Wildrick

New York, US

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Great Evening on the Water with Curtis!

Half Day Trip (PM) on August 24, 2025 • 2 adults

My son and I had a fantastic outing with Curtis. The boat is new, impressive, and well-equipped, and Curtis was both professional and welcoming... he went out of his way to set us up for success. He was also generous with his fishing knowledge, sharing tips and techniques that made it even more rewarding. The whole experience felt less like a charter and more like a friend inviting us out.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or brand new, you’ll feel comfortable and have a great time. And best of all, watching my son reel in those smallies was an absolute treat! I wouldn’t hesitate to book with Curtis again.

Response from Captain

August 25, 2025

Thanks so much for a great trip Tim. It’s hard to have a bad time when you’re on a 3lb. bass in the first cast. Thanks for being easy going and dodging a few rain drops. I had a great time myself. All the best. I’d be happy to have you back any time!😎

Richard Frey

Repeat angler

Pennsylvania, US

Member since 2025

2 trips

5.0

Verified

Afternoon fishing trip and tour

Richard Frey Afternoon Trip on August 16, 2025 • 2 adults

The afternoon trip we took with Captain Curtis Rissberger was a memorable experience. We did about 2 hours fishing then had a boat tour of Wellesley island international rift. This is something that cannot be done on a bigger boat and was so quiet and peaceful. My experience with Captain Curtis Rissberger is he is a down to earth guy who goes above and beyond to always make sure the customer is having a great time. He always puts customer service first and will go that extra mile. I honestly can not say enough good things about our trip and experiences with Captain Curtis Rissberger.

Response from Captain

August 21, 2025

Thanks for booking your second trip in the same day! What a time, fun from sun up to sun down. It was very nice to have the whole family on board. The rift ride was awesome! All the best, I hope to have you back again next year!

Tyler Brown

New York, US

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

An Incredible “Smallie” Experience

Tyler Brown Custom on August 9, 2025 • 2 adults

Where do I begin? From the professionalism, to the thoughtfulness and dedication to the sport of fishing, Berger Ops Fishing is a “must” charter on your bucket list for small mouth bass. Captain Curtis is knowledgeable and a great resource on the water for all things bass fishing. Fishing with Captain Curtis is like fishing with a long time friend. By far, the best charter fishing experience I’ve ever had. I’m absolutely thrilled with the results of our trip and the time spent on the water getting to know Captain Curtis and his love for the sport of smallmouth bass fishing!

Response from Captain

August 10, 2025

What an awesome trip! I can’t say thanks enough Tyler. I feel like I made a new friend on top of landing a few good smallies. We had some great fights, big splashes, good weather, and awesome video. Looking forward to having you back for another round. All the best to you! 😎

Heather Fretto

Member since 2025

5.0

Evening trip with Captain Curtis

Half Day Trip (PM) on August 6, 2025

Every year we visit the Thousand Islands and my son just fishes of the docks of the places we stay at. This year I decided to book an evening tcharter with BergerOps so my son could get the full experience of fishing on the River. 
Captain Curtis was waiting for us at the launch when we arrived. The boat was super clean, well-equipped with many fishing poles, beautiful lures handmade by the Captain himself, and I felt very comfortable sending my son off for a few hours. 
Our captain knew exactly where to go, he had a plan in place to make the trip worth it. My son enjoyed the smooth boat ride, the music he got to choose, the conversations and knowledge given for beginners, and of course catching fish! 
Captain Curtis arrived back at the launch on time, both of them were all smiles, and this is now something I will book for my son every year.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

August 13, 2025

Thank you so much for the kind words Heather. It was fun to get on a few fish and share a few good laughs. These spontaneous trips are always a good challenge and fun to guide. I know all about fish stories, but I’m telling you, your son and I lost a big one that day. He will tell you the same! Nothing more heart breaking than the subtle pop of a breaking line. We’ll get ‘em next time… Either way fish in the boat are fish in the boat! I can’t wait to have you back. Best, Capt. Curt😎

FAQs about Berger Ops. Fishing®

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

Boat category

Skiffs and flats boats

Capacity

2 persons

Boat length

19 ft

Year built

2024

Boat manufacturer

Prodigy

Boat type

Aluminum fishing

Engine model

Tohatsu

1 x 115HP

Max cruising speed

40 knots

Berger Ops. Fishing®

Customer reviews

Rating

Anglers' gallery (54)

All reviews (20)

Trip availability and prices

Customer reviews

Rating

Anglers' gallery (54)

All reviews (20)

FAQs about Berger Ops. Fishing®

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

What’s biting in Clayton right now

Compare similar fishing charters