Captain
Samuel Downing

Member since June 2019 Lakeside Marblehead, United States
Background
Capt. Samuels grew up in western Pennsylvania and was introduced to hunting and fishing as soon as he could hold a rod and a gun. He remembers fishing with his dad on the Allegheny River where he would night fish for Sucker and Catfish as a little boy. They moved on to wading the streams fishing for Trout, learning the finesse techniques of fly fishing, and the patience involved with the sport. As the captain grew older, they ventured to the Great Lakes in New York and Pennsylvania to fish for Salmon and Steelhead creating great memories. Capt. Samuel went into the Air Force and ended up stationed in North Dakota where he was exposed to Walleye fishing on Devils Lake. He fell in love with the challenges of catching Walleye. Several years later, he ended up living in Michigan surrounded by tremendous Walleye fishing opportunities. He purchased a Lund boat, gained knowledge and experience, and decided to upgrade to his North River and get a charter license to share what he's learned.
Techniques
Capt. Samuel trolls, jigs, drifts, and casts for Walleye. His crew has the boat equipped to do it all with all the gear needed. Some customers like the rod in hand, others like to just reel them in and let the boat do the work, so the crew lets the customers decide. The captain's preference changes with the season and the weather. He jigs and trolls in the spring, drifts, trolls, and casts in early to late summer, and trolls in the fall into winter.

Hey, I'm Captain Samuel Downing

Lakeside Marblehead, United States
Background
Capt. Samuels grew up in western Pennsylvania and was introduced to hunting and fishing as soon as he could hold a rod and a gun. He remembers fishing with his dad on the Allegheny River where he would night fish for Sucker and Catfish as a little boy. They moved on to wading the streams fishing for Trout, learning the finesse techniques of fly fishing, and the patience involved with the sport. As the captain grew older, they ventured to the Great Lakes in New York and Pennsylvania to fish for Salmon and Steelhead creating great memories. Capt. Samuel went into the Air Force and ended up stationed in North Dakota where he was exposed to Walleye fishing on Devils Lake. He fell in love with the challenges of catching Walleye. Several years later, he ended up living in Michigan surrounded by tremendous Walleye fishing opportunities. He purchased a Lund boat, gained knowledge and experience, and decided to upgrade to his North River and get a charter license to share what he's learned.
Techniques
Capt. Samuel trolls, jigs, drifts, and casts for Walleye. His crew has the boat equipped to do it all with all the gear needed. Some customers like the rod in hand, others like to just reel them in and let the boat do the work, so the crew lets the customers decide. The captain's preference changes with the season and the weather. He jigs and trolls in the spring, drifts, trolls, and casts in early to late summer, and trolls in the fall into winter.
Anglers Choice
Verified

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(116 reviews)
Angler's choice
Lakeside Marblehead
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $375
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(3 reviews)
Angler's choice
Lorain
 4 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(9 reviews)
Angler's choice
Olcott
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $450
Excellent
4.6 / 5
(3 reviews)
Angler's choice
Huron
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $375

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 131 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (171)
Ask very specific questions
If you want to catch your limit!
caught fish, but wasn't fishing
+168
Angler rating
120
7
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 131 reviews
Andrew H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

If you want to catch your limit!

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ Walleye (AM) 2-6 ppl on September 29, 2025
Captain Samuel and Captain Caleb were great! On the way to the fishing location were entertained by original songs that had...
Andrew H. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Robert F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Walleye fishing charter on Lake Erie

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ Walleye (PM) 2-6 ppl on June 29, 2025
We had a great time walleye fishing with Captain Sam and Assistant Kyle of Pork Chop Express Fishing Charters. The equipment...
Robert F. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Robert R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

What a blast!

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ Walleye (AM) 2-6 ppl on June 1, 2025
Captain Samuel delivered a fantastic experience for myself and my two sons on our first walleye charter (it wonโ€™t be the...
Robert R. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Timothy B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Pork chop Express slays โ€˜em!!!

VERIFIED   6 Hour trip โ€“ Salmon 1 โ€“ 6 people on August 15, 2025
Captain Sam did an amazing job putting us on fish! As soon as he had lures in the water we were fighting fish! As first time...
Timothy B. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters โ€“ Olcott
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Daniel O.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best fishing trip of my life

VERIFIED   8 Hour Tripโ€“Salmon (AM) 1-6 People on July 25, 2025
Captain and the crew made sure we got on some fish. Caught our limits both days we went out. Giant fish. I highly recommend...
Daniel O. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters โ€“ Olcott
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