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)
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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 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
Deborah W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing Big Fish Lots Of FUN

VERIFIED   4 Hour Tripโ€“Salmon (AM) 1-6 people on August 19, 2025
Sam and Caleb did an amazing job. We catch a boat load of fish kept our limit and enjoyed every minute. If you havenโ€™t...
Deborah W. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters โ€“ Olcott
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Ron D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great walleye charter

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ (AM) Perch 2-6 person on September 13, 2025
capt knows his stuff -ย  42 walleye in less that 6 hours - highly recommend
Ron D. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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JAMES W.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

August fishing trip

VERIFIED   6 Hour trip โ€“ Salmon 1 โ€“ 6 people on August 21, 2025
Weather conditions where not the best , but we still caught are limit. Captain and first mate worked hard to get our fish....
JAMES W. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters โ€“ Olcott
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Markus W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day! Caught all limits!

VERIFIED   6 Hr Trip โ€“ Walleye (AM) 2-6 ppl on May 16, 2025
The crew for Pork Chop Express were great! We had a big crew and hired both boats and we could not have asked for a better...
Markus W. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters
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  Samuel Downing Captain replied

Anthony L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

August fishing trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Tripโ€“Salmon (PM) 1-6 People on August 23, 2025
Anthony L. recommends Pork Chop Express Charters โ€“ Olcott
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