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Samuel Downing
Captain

Samuel Downing

Lakeside Marblehead, United States
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
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.

Charters

Rating

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

What anglers say

97%
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Caught fish

All reviews (148)

Showing 1 – 5 of 148 reviews
  • Guy Krohn
    Guy Krohn
    Repeat angler
    us
    Maryland, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    •
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Hard working captain

    8Hr combo–Perch/walleye (AM) 2-6ppl • 6 adults

    Captain Caleb worked extremely hard,marked lots of fish but they weren't biting at anything until later in the afternoon His hard worked paid off with everyone catching a fish

    Reported catch:
    Yellow Perch
  • Gwenn Sanders
    Gwenn Sanders
    us
    Indiana, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    amazing trip

    4 Hour budget trip – (PM) • 5 adults • 1 child

    This was our first charter fishing experience. We had a wonderful time. We caught the max allowed for 5 people. (30 I believe was our total). We hope to return and do this again. Maybe next time we will try for fall so we can go for perch. A very memorable experience for our family. Definitely recommend.

    Response from Captain

    Thank you Gwenn!! Caleb enjoyed your crew, glad everyone had fun! see you next time!!

  • Andrew Heims
    Andrew Heims
    Repeat angler
    us
    Ohio, US
    •
    Member since 2023
    •
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    If you want to catch your limit!

    6 Hr Trip – Walleye (AM) 2-6 ppl • 3 adults

    Captain Samuel and Captain Caleb were great! On the way to the fishing location were entertained by original songs that had Captain Samuel singing country! All about Pork Chop Express and fishing. Great singer! The boat was exceptional with comfort, space and state of the art equipment.They both made it easy to catch walleye! We caught our limit and they had good size. We had a great time and if you want to catch fish book with Pork Chop Express Charters.

    Reported catch:
    Walleye
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much Andrew. We had fun with your crew hope to see you on board again sometime!!

  • Jeffrey Smiley
    Jeffrey Smiley
    us
    Ohio, US
    •
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip

    8 Hour Trip–Salmon (AM) 1-6 People • 4 adults

    The trip was great! Captain was extremely knowledgeable about the lake and all the equipment. We really appreciate him sticking it out and putting us on fish despite the rough waters. Great experience from start to finish—we’ll definitely be back! 🎣🌊

    Reported catch:
    Chinook Salmon
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Response from Captain

    Thanks Jeff! we had fun with your crew. come out and fish with us again sometime..

  • Brent Price
    Brent Price
    Repeat angler
    us
    Ohio, US
    •
    Member since 2022
    •
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Outstanding!!!

    6 Hr Trip – Walleye (PM) 2-6 ppl • 5 adults

    Great experience! The captain and crew were fantastic. We were out for about 3.5 hours and limited out. All 4 of my boys had an awesome time. Thanks so much to Sam & Caleb. I recommend this charter to anyone who loves to fish and wants to have a good time.

    Response from Captain

    Thanks so much Brent! we had fun fishing with hou and your boys! hope to see you again on the Pork Chop Express!!

Real catches shared by our community

  • Pork Chop Express Charters – Olcott
    Pork Chop Express Charters – OlcottOlcott, NY
    Great trip
    Jeffrey S.
    Jeffrey S.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters – Olcott
    Pork Chop Express Charters – OlcottOlcott, NY
    Amazing family fun!
    Arica D.
    Arica D.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters – Lorain
    Pork Chop Express Charters – LorainLorain, OH
    Good trip
    Pat Connie B.
    Pat Connie B.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters
    Pork Chop Express ChartersLakeside Marblehead, OH
    Outstanding!!!
    Brent P.
    Brent P.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters
    Pork Chop Express ChartersLakeside Marblehead, OH
    couldn’t be better!
    Gerald B.
    Gerald B.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters
    Pork Chop Express ChartersLakeside Marblehead, OH
    Great trip.
    Brandan S.
    Brandan S.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters II
    Pork Chop Express Charters IIHuron, OH
    GREAT first trip with my grandson.
    Scott E.
    Scott E.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters II
    Pork Chop Express Charters IIHuron, OH
    June fishing trip
    Dale L.
    Dale L.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters
    Pork Chop Express ChartersLakeside Marblehead, OH
    Limited out and had fun doing it!
    Stephanie H.
    Stephanie H.
  • Pork Chop Express Charters
    Pork Chop Express ChartersLakeside Marblehead, OH
    amazing trip
    Gwenn S.
    Gwenn S.

Our Fishing Locations

What's biting with Pork Chop Express Charters in Lakeside Marblehead

Both Yellow Perch and Smallmouth Bass fishing is excellent, and lunker Walleye will be waiting for you in the deeper waters around the Western Basin's islands. The weather is getting trickier to predict, so have your rain gear at hand.

Top catches for September

Fishing reports

Two anglers standing on a boat with a large catch of Walleye displayed on the deck after a successful fishing trip.

Team PA

May 31, 2023 • Lakeside Marblehead
Morning trip bite was fantastic we boated the PA boys their limits and mate and I reeled ours too really good bite remains let’s hope it stays..
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A family group proudly displaying their catch of multiple fish on a fishing boat, enjoying a successful day on the water.

Team ohio

May 30, 2023 • Lakeside Marblehead
Really good bite this morning with Ed and his crew everyone reeled their limits and I reeled in a few too.
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A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of numerous fish on a fishing charter, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Indiana day 2

May 29, 2023 • Lakeside Marblehead
Great morning today with Dave and his family from IN. We had a great bite today with 7 limits hitting the deck, they reeled their limits and mate and I reeled ours too. Beautiful morning on the lake. It appears NE wind is becoming our prevailing wind…..???? Bandits and spoons did the work today.
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A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of numerous Walleye on a fishing boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Indiana family day

May 28, 2023 • Lakeside Marblehead
Really great morning today we got this crew from Indiana their limits of nice walleye and mate and I reeled in 8 too great fishing today.
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A mother and daughter proudly display their catch of several fish in front of the Purk Chop Express charter boat after a successful fishing trip.

Mother daughter day

May 27, 2023 • Lakeside Marblehead
Second trip was a good one for sue and her daughter Rene. They reeled In Their limits of walleye to take back to Cadillac, MI and I reeled in 2 also. Nice afternoon on the water for a couple hours.
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Three anglers proudly displaying their catch of multiple fish on a fishing boat after a successful outing.

Buddy trip

May 26, 2023 • Lakeside Marblehead
Second trip went great for Jeff and his buddies. Picked them up at south bass island and we got them their limits of nice walleye and I reeled in 3 clearing rods. South passage was fun today…. Back at it in the morning.
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