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James Goebel
Captain

James Goebel

Waukegan, United States
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
Captain James has been fishing since he was 7 and is the third generation of passionate anglers. He's been a full-time captain for 11 years now, and nothing makes him happier than seeing smiling and satisfied anglers thanking him for a wonderful trip. James loves teaching kids and novices how to reel in their first fish. His sense of humor and fishing expertise is what makes his customers keep coming back year after year.

Charter

Rating

5.0
188 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

99%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish

All reviews (188)

ShowingΒ 1 – 5Β ofΒ 188Β reviews
  • Michal Staskiewicz
    Michal Staskiewicz
    us
    Chicago, IL, US
    β€’
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    awesome experience!

    5 – Hour Weekday Special β€’ 4 adults β€’ 1 child

    A fantastic experience! Captain Jim’s approach, patience, and expertise truly deserve praise. We had an amazing time and caught tons of big fish. It was an unforgettable experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend Captain Jim to anyone looking for a great fishing trip. Now it’s time to enjoy some delicious salmon meals! 🐟

    Reported catch:
    Lake Trout
  • Fedir Fedorov
    Fedir Fedorov
    us
    Chicago, IL, US
    β€’
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Awesome adventure 🐟

    6 – Hour Trip – Salmon&Trout β€’ 5 adults

    This fishing day was one of the best of our fishing experience all over years. The boat and the crew helped us to get maximum amount of fish we can legally get .Thank you.

  • Hany Shalabi
    Hany Shalabi
    us
    Illinois, US
    β€’
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Capitan James was great.

    5 – Hour Weekday Special - 12:00 PM β€’ 2 adults β€’ 1 child

    Fish weren't biting and we had a hard time getting our limit. But captain James pulled out the old play book and never gave up. He truly tried to the last minute and then some. We ending up going home with a full cooler!! Awesome guy, great conversation, very knowledgeable. Will definitely be seeing him again.

    Reported catch:
    Coho Salmon
    Lake Trout
  • Eric Dotson
    Eric Dotson
    Repeat angler
    us
    Ohio, US
    β€’
    Member since 2019
    β€’
    6 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Jim is Amazing

    8-Hour Tripβ€”Salmon and Trout β€’ 4 adults

    what a great trip. first salmon trip did not disappoint! would highly recommend using Cap’n Jim and his Jimmy flys! we limited out a s the captain really put us on the fish. he also recomended a fish house to smoke the trout and we just picked them up and the fish is amazing.

    Reported catch:
    Lake Trout
    Coho Salmon
  • Bill Cordts
    Bill Cordts
    us
    Illinois, US
    β€’
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    3rd times a charm

    5 – Hour Trip – Salmon and Trout β€’ 6 adults

    after having to cancel prior trips due to weather we finally made it out with captain Jim and caught some nice fish

Real catches shared by our community

  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    Fishing with James
    Khechok L.
    Khechok L.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    Awesome adventure 🐟
    Fedir F.
    Fedir F.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    awesome experience!
    Michal S.
    Michal S.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    3rd times a charm
    Bill C.
    Bill C.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    Special Day
    Donna A.
    Donna A.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    limit of Salmon!!!
    Marcela G.
    Marcela G.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    Such a fantastic trip!
    Lisa H.
    Lisa H.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    Captain knowledgeable and engaging. Caught limit with plenty of time to spare. I would definitely go out with Captain Jim next time out.
    Jim W.
    Jim W.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    Best Captain Ever
    Al S.
    Al S.
  • Long Gone 3 Charters
    Long Gone 3 ChartersWaukegan, IL
    Capitan James was great.
    Hany S.
    Hany S.

What's biting with Long Gone 3 Charters in Waukegan

Head out onto Lake Michigan for some Lake Trout action offshore, especially around the reefs and rocky structure. You can also cast your line for Salmon, Brown Trout, and Steelhead, as well as Lakers.

Top catches for September

Fishing reports

A family proudly displaying their catch of salmon on a fishing charter, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Lot's of fish around

Jul 2, 2026Β β€’Β Waukegan
5 or 6 hours
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A family group proudly displaying their catch of several fish on a catch board aboard a fishing charter, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Crazy coho in July

Jul 2, 2025Β β€’Β Waukegan
5-hour or 6-hour morning trips are the way to go
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A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of salmon on a catch board aboard Long Gone 3 Charters, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Crazy cohos

May 6, 2025Β β€’Β Waukegan
The fishing now through the end of the month is crazy limits are not uncommon look forward to seeing you on the back of long gone 3 charters
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A group of four anglers proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout aboard a charter boat, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Fast Laker action

Sep 22, 2024Β β€’Β Waukegan
10 to 20 lb fish are not uncommon limits are coming in 2 hours
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A group of young anglers proudly displaying their catch of several fish on a charter boat, showcasing a successful day of fishing in open waters.

Big lake lakers

Sep 12, 2024Β β€’Β Waukegan
6hr trip is best
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A young angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout aboard a fishing charter in clear blue waters.

The big lake trout are biting

Sep 2, 2024Β β€’Β Waukegan
Lake trout fishing out of Waukegan is crazy at this time of the year almost all trips are limits
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