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
(114 reviews)
Angler's choice
Lakeside Marblehead
 2 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $375
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(3 reviews)
Angler's choice
Lorain
 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 129 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (169)
caught fish, but wasn't fishing
great walleye charter
August fishing trip
+166
Angler rating
119
7
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 129 reviews
Laythong V.
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Satisfied

VERIFIED   4 hour trip - (AM) 2-4 people on November 16, 2024
Definitely book again!
Laythong V. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Dave S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great experience

VERIFIED   4 hour trip - (AM) 2-4 people on July 23, 2024
Sam and Caleb were exceptionally professional and knowledgeable about the lake and where the fish would be. They put us right...
Dave S. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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John K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Love Fishing on the PCE!!!

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ Walleye (PM) 2-6 ppl on May 18, 2024
Sam and Caleb picked us up from Kelleys Island early and wasted no time putting us on the fish.ย  We had more than enough room...
John K. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Larry I.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun Time

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ Walleye (PM) 2-6 ppl on June 26, 2024
Had a great time with Captain Sam and his son. Had a bad storm rolling in, didnโ€™t think the trip was going to happen. Captain...
Larry I. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Timothy H.
Very good
3.7 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Good
3.0 / 5
Crew
Good
3.0 / 5
Overall

Caught fish, but wasn't fishing

VERIFIED   NEW  6 Hour Trip โ€“ Perch (AM) on September 14, 2025
If you want to reel in what someone else caught then this is the place. others will let you fish!!!
Timothy H. does not recommend Pork Chop Express Charters II
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