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

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 122 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (155)
Only 4
Caleb was awesome!!
Caleb was awesome!!
+152
Angler rating
113
6
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
5 of 122 reviews
Eric B.
Cincinnati, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6 hours afternoon

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ Walleye (PM) 3 People on June 5, 2023
Captain Sam an Caleb will put you over the walleye.ย  Impressive knowledge of the lake and how the fish move.ย  Very efficient...
Eric B. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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David A.
Columbus, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Sam put us on the fish right away!

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ Walleye (PM) 2-6 ppl on June 25, 2022
He knew exactly where to go and we wasted no time getting onto the walleye.ย  We hit our boat limit in under 2 hours!ย  He...
David A. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Brian C.
Amherst, Ohio
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Perch/Walleye Trip with Capt Sam 9/16/21

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip โ€“ Walleye/Perch Combo on September 16, 2021
If you want Lake Erie Perch or Walleye this is the charter you want! Hands down the most professional, courteous and knowledgeable...
Brian C. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Thomas R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day on Lake Erie

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ Walleye (PM) 2-6 ppl on November 18, 2023
Captain Sam and his crew (son Caleb) did a very good job getting us on the fish, and helping us catch our limit of walleye.
Thomas R. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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Butch A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Charter

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ Perch (AM) 4 People on September 30, 2023
Sam is a awesome captain with a badass boat and solid equipment he definitely knows how to get on the fish,highly recommended
Butch A. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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