Jim Stepp

Rating

Anglers' gallery (280)

What anglers say

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  Mariyam Karimova

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  New York, US

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  Member since 2026

  5.0

  Verified

  Exceptional Experience from Start to Finish!

  6Hr Private Weekend 6 person (AM) on September 13, 2026 • 6 adults • 2 children

  We had an absolutely amazing experience today! From start to finish, everything was incredibly well organized, professional, and welcoming. What impressed me the most was the atmosphere. There was never any panic or stress, even when we had multiple fish on the lines. Everyone had a chance to catch and reel in a fish, and the entire experience felt calm, fun, and exciting at the same time. Jim’s 60 years of fishing experience really shows. And Matt, who handled all the tackle and equipment, is truly a master of his craft. He clearly knows exactly what he’s doing, and everything was handled with such confidence and professionalism. What made it especially meaningful for us was how wonderful they were with our kids. They didn’t just let them fish — they actually taught them. Our kids learned new skills about how to handle and catch bigger fish, and Matt even took the time to teach my younger son how to properly clean and prepare a fish. That kind of patience and willingness to teach is something we really appreciated. And yes, we caught A LOT of big fish! Just as promised, we caught both salmon and trout, and the whole experience exceeded our expectations. I would especially recommend this trip to families with children. You never feel like you’re doing something wrong or that you need to know what you’re doing beforehand. Everyone makes you feel welcome, comfortable, and part of the experience. We had so much fun today, and honestly, this is one of those experiences that our family will keep in our memory for a very long time. We came home with amazing photos, videos, great stories, and very happy kids — and parents too! ❤️ Everything was truly best of the best. Highly recommend! 🎣❤️

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  Response from Captain

  September 15, 2026

  well, thank you for this great review. We try very hard to please everyone and it’s nice to be recognized for all of our hard work behind the scenes. Hope to see you guys again next year.

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  Ray Bogenrief

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  Illinois, US

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  Member since 2026

  5.0

  Verified

  Outstanding Experience

  6 Hour private weekday 5 person A/M on September 10, 2026 • 5 adults • 3 children

  We had an absolutely incredible time on our Lake Michigan fishing charter! We brought our two sons (9 and 12 yrs old) and it was truly a trip our whole family will never forget. Captain Jim and his team were extraordinarily accommodating, friendly, and attentive from start to finish, making sure everyone was comfortable and having a great time. And the fishing was unbelievable — we caught a ton of fish! Captain Jim clearly knows Lake Michigan and put us right where we needed to be. More importantly, he and his first mate made the experience fun and memorable for our boys. We learned about the lake as well. We couldn’t have asked for a better day on the water. If you’re looking for a great Lake Michigan fishing experience, especially with kids, we highly recommend this charter. We’ll definitely be back!

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  Response from Captain

  September 24, 2026

  Thank you so much, Ray ! It was a pleasure having you and your family on the boat. You guys were awesome, and we truly enjoyed having you with us! We can’t wait to have you back next season! 🎣❤️🐟⚓️

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  Michael Piekarz

  Repeat angler

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  Illinois, US

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  Member since 2025

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  3 trips

  5.0

  Verified

  Lake Michigan's Bounty

  6Hr Private Weekend 4 person (AM) on August 9, 2026 • 5 adults

  Captain Jim checked in with us the night before and answered all questions leading up to the trip. Day of was beautiful and we dropped lines but had limited action. We moved to a second location and started to hit immediately with a mix of lake trout monsters and king Salmon. Effectively maxed out and safely turned home ahead of a pretty gnarly storm hiting both time and catch limits. Jim is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about fishing and the lake. His first mate Mike was hard working, knowledgeable and both were great guys. The boat is very nice and ive never seen soo much gear (well organized and ready to deploy) on a charter boat. Great trip, everyone had a blast, stayed safe and made some great memories with the little ones. Highly recommend.

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  Response from Captain

  August 11, 2026

  it was great having all that Mussel on the boat to bring these Fishon and Walter was a clear pleasure. Hope to see you guys again.

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  Gary Touchette

  Repeat angler

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  Missouri, US

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  Member since 2021

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  2 trips

  5.0

  Verified

  Great Trip!

  6Hr Private Weekend 4 person (PM) on July 25, 2026 • 6 adults • 3 children

  We had an outstanding trip with Jaws-On Charters on Lake Michigan! Captain Jim and our mate, Matt, were both fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and worked hard from start to finish to keep us on fish. Our group of 2 adults and 3 teenagers had an absolute blast. We landed an impressive 12-pound coho salmon, along with lots of rainbow trout and brown trout, which kept the action going throughout the trip. Captain Jim and Matt were great at explaining what was happening, helping with the fish, and making sure everyone had a chance to reel one in. The boat was clean, well-equipped, and the entire experience was fun, relaxed, and memorable. Whether you’re an experienced angler or it’s your first time fishing Lake Michigan, we highly recommend Jaws-On Charters. We had an amazing time and will definitely be booking another trip with Captain Jim and Matt in the future!

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  Response from Captain

  July 26, 2026

  i’m super glad you guys had a great time. It was fun meeting you. Hope to see you again. Thanks for coming.

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  Piotr Koscielniak

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  Illinois, US

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  Member since 2024

  5.0

  Verified

  Best day ever

  6Hr Private Weekend 6 person (PM) on June 28, 2026 • 6 adults

  Captain Jim gave us an outstanding fishing trip! From the moment we got on the boat, everything was relaxed, fun, and well organized. He knew exactly where to take us, and we ended up catching 10 fish throughout the trip! Jim was knowledgeable, patient, and made sure everyone had a great time, whether you were experienced or brand new to fishing. The laid-back atmosphere made the day even better, and everyone in our group left smiling. If you're looking for a fun, stress-free charter with a captain who knows how to put you on fish, I can't recommend Captain Jim enough. We'll definitely be booking another trip!

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  Response from Captain

  June 29, 2026

  thank you very much. That is a awesome review.. you got a hell of a good bunch of friends there nice guys.. one of the best trips we’ve had all year. Thanks for coming. Hope to see you guys again soon..