I recently went on a fishing tour with my family of six on Lake Michigan, and I feel compelled to share our highly disappointing experience to warn potential future guests. We booked a 4-hour tour with high hopes of enjoying a fun-filled day of fishing and maybe catching something memorable. Unfortunately, the reality was far from our expectations.

From the moment we boarded the small charter boat, the experience was lackluster. Despite being promised an engaging fishing experience, we were not allowed to cast or hold the rods ourselves. Instead, we were subjected to watching two crew members cast six rods repeatedly, spending most of their time fixing them in a futile attempt to catch fish.
To make matters worse, we were forced to sit in the blazing hot sun for the entire duration of the tour without any adequate shade or protection. This led to severe sunburns and seasickness for several members of our group. The lack of interaction and engagement from the crew made the situation even more unbearable. They seemed more focused on their tasks than on ensuring we had an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Ultimately, we spent half of our day fruitlessly attempting to catch a fish, which never happened. We ended up throwing away $900 for an experience that left us feeling scammed and disappointed. The tour failed to deliver on its promises, and it was clear that the company did not prioritize customer satisfaction or comfort.

I strongly advise anyone considering this fishing tour to think twice before booking. Our experience was a waste of time and money, and I wouldn’t want others to go through the same ordeal. There are undoubtedly better options out there that provide a more genuine and enjoyable fishing experience.

EDIT:
Captain Brian, Thank you for your response. However, I respectfully disagree with several points you raised in your reply. Firstly, while I acknowledge that the fishing technique is trolling, the description did not clarify that we would be entirely passive participants in the experience. Many fishing charters allow guests to be more involved, and the crew’s lack of engagement was a significant disappointment. We have been on other charter fishing tours around the same time of day, and those experiences were engaging and interactive. The crew taught us how to fish and allowed us to actively participate, ultimately leading to us catching plenty of fish. This discrepancy between the description and the actual experience was a major letdown for us. Regarding the boat size and seating, while it may be 33’ long and 13’ wide, the reality felt much different, especially for a family of six. The available covered seating was insufficient, and we did follow the advice to bring appropriate clothing and sunscreen. However, the excessive exposure to the sun was still a problem due to the inadequate shaded area. The crew’s efforts in changing the baits were noted, but the overall experience lacked the interactive element that makes such tours enjoyable. Watching the crew work hard while we were unable to participate did not align with our expectations of a family-friendly fishing adventure. Lastly, I fully understand the value of spending time with family and friends on the water, appreciating the Great Lakes’ beauty. However, the way the tour was conducted overshadowed these aspects. It felt more like we were spectators rather than participants in an interactive and engaging experience. While I appreciate your assertion that your operation is first class, our experience did not reflect this. Constructive feedback is essential for any business, and I hope you consider these points to improve future tours for other guests. My message was also directed to future customers who might fall into the same predicament. Paying a hefty price of $900 for a “fish getting caught is not a guarantee” policy adds a layer of absurdity to the whole experience. Pavel

Had a great time with this team! We caught our max. Will be calling again next year to do the same.

Very nice trip. Captain and mate worked really hard..
Caught lots of fish..