I booked this charter as a last-minute surprise for my husband’s 40th birthday and brought along our 7-year-old twin boys. From the booking process to the trip itself, everything was exceptional.

The charter company was incredibly responsive and easy to work with, especially considering how last-minute this booking was. We had a two-hour drive to get there, and they were quick to answer questions and confirm details, which gave me peace of mind before making the trip.

Captain Ryan was absolutely fantastic. What stood out most was how much he seemed to tailor the experience to our family. He was patient with the kids, incredibly knowledgeable, and took the time to teach them about fishing while making sure everyone was having fun.

The fishing was unbelievable—we caught so many fish that I had to keep reminding the boys this is not what a typical fishing trip looks like! Being able to bring a few fish home made the experience even more memorable.

One thing I especially appreciated was that Captain Ryan cleaned and filleted the fish right in front of us and took the time to explain what he was doing. For our boys, that hands-on experience was just as exciting as catching the fish. They got to see the entire process from start to finish, which turned the trip into both an adventure and a learning experience.

I had also brought a few decorations onboard for my husband’s birthday, and Captain Ryan was completely supportive of helping me make the day feel special.

This was so much more than a fishing trip—it was a memorable family experience and the perfect way to celebrate a milestone birthday. We left with fish, great memories, and two boys who are already asking when they can go again. Highly recommend both the charter company and Captain Ryan!

The VistaLady’s deck was spotless when we arrived, and kept clean throughout. It also had a very comfortable cabin to grab a quick snack during the travel. First Mate Scott was brilliant and awesome with my 8 1/2 yr son, showing him the basics. My son was super comfortable by the end, starting to identify, “fish on”, and start reeling by himself. For us adults, it was a great morning of catching up with family news alongside no shortage of river rockfish. Captain Ryan provided interesting insight about the waterways. Alas, our luck was not in the deeper waters - may luck be yours.

Captain Popp, Mate Cameron, and the boat were ready for outing. The boat, the rods and tackle were all in good repair, as was the live bait.

Limit was caught in the first hour, the rest of the tour was spent fishing for - and occasionally catching - perch and catfish.

Cameron did a great job cleaning the catch.

Both Captain Popp and Mate Cameron were helpful and friendly.

The gratuity was well deserved.

Had an amazing time on this fishing charter, couldn’t recommend it enough. The captain went above and beyond the whole trip, especially helping my girlfriend catch her very first fish, which made the experience even more special.

To top it off, we landed a 35+ pound catfish, and he didn’t just stop there, he cleaned and filleted it for us right on the spot. We took it home, deep fried it, and made sandwiches later… absolutely unreal.

Everything about this trip was exactly what we hoped for and more. If you’re thinking about booking, do it, you won’t regret it.

We had the most unbelievable day fishing with Jeff.  We were within eye shot of the Marina the whole time and caught fish non-stop!  We estimated 70-100 fish over three hours…crazy math to get to those numbers.  Jeff was a total professional and great to fish with.  Thanks for a fun afternoon, Jeff!