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Tyler Smith
Captain

Tyler Smith

Elk Rapids, United States
100+ reviews
Captain Tyler Smith here and I am a Northern Michigan native. With a river running through my back yard, I basically learned how to walk, talk, and fish at the same time. This childhood hobby later became a way to have income while attending college. I worked as a first mate for another charter here in Traverse City during the summer months, but it was time to venture out and start a charter business of my own. I started out here on Grand Traverse Bay running charters during the warmer months with success, but a few people have been asking about ice fishing as well. I'm happy to say that we can now offer fishing trips year round here in Northern Michigan! Let's go fishing and make a life long memorable experience with your friends and family!

Charters

Rating

5.0
232 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

99%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Caught fish

All reviews (232)

Showing 1 – 5 of 232 reviews
  • Jakob Cummins
    Jakob Cummins
    Repeat angler
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Truly one of the best charters out there, if you're on the fence just go for it!

    5 PM - Trolling, GT Bay • 2 adults

    Captain Tyler was phenomenal, he was very professional and definitely knew his stuff. He made the trip very fun and was able to get us on some amazing fishing spots. My wife and mother-in-law had very little fishing experience and he was able to make the experience one they won't forget. We started out fishing over one area and after learning the fish were only biting when traveling a certain direction he adjusted accordingly and was able to catch us our limit for the day. If you are on the fence about going out with this charter, dont be. You will make great memories and have a wonderful time enjoying the waters out in Traverse Bay.

  • Jeremy Mckean
    Jeremy Mckean
    Repeat angler
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip with Tyler Smith of Pure Angling!

    6 AM - Trolling, GT Bay • 2 adults

    We had a great experience with Tyler/Pure Angling. Before booking, I reached out with a few questions and he gave a thorough response. Booking was easy, and the communication between time of booking and the morning of the trip was very clear and helpful. Tyler provided suggestions on a few tweaks to our plans (recommended jigging/casting instead of the trolling trip I'd originally selected), he gave extremely clear directions to the dock, and helped with a few questions we had about keeping the fish nice and fresh for the couple days we had to keep them before heading home. The day of the charter, we arrived about 5 mins early and Tyler already had the boat in the water at the dock, ready to go. The boat and all of his equipment was in great shape (my wife appreciated that there was a private head to use, and that it was very clean). He did a very good job at giving tips and suggestions for jigging and casting, as most of the guided fishing we've done has been trolling on the ocean. This was our first time going for Lake Trout, and he did a great job of explaining the proper techniques for using the lures most ideal for catching them. After a slightly slow start, he switched up the lures and location, and we were on Lake Trout hot and heavy in about an hour. In fact, the second spot and second lure type was so successful that we were getting fish, or at least strong hits on the lure, every second or third cast. Among the Lake Trout we caught was a 31" hog, and another very nice 28" fish, along with several others slightly smaller than that. Throughout the day Tyler did a great job of giving us background info on the water we were fishing, the fish in the area, and was just generally easy to be around for the day. Once we were limited out, he cleaned the fish for us, and gave us several great suggestions for how to prepare them. Great trip, and would definitely book with him again!

    Reported catch:
    Lake Trout
  • Steven Corbett
    Steven Corbett
    Repeat angler
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2022
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing captain Tyler l

    6 AM - Trolling, GT Bay • 3 adults

    Spectacular day on the water. Boat and equipment are phenomenal. Tyler had us on the fish within 15 minutes of leaving shore. Caught our limit of lake trout in 1 1/2 hours, including a few monster fish. Also caught a 15 pound king salmon. Tyler was a great host….knowledgeable, gracious and helpful. All we had to do was keep “reeling ‘em in”!

    Reported catch:
    Lake Trout
  • Melissa Florian
    Melissa Florian
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing first charter with the kids!

    12 PM - Trolling, GT Bay • 5 adults • 3 children

    Captain Tyler was an absolute treat! He was exceptionally patient with our boys (one of which is AudHd), the other absolutely yapped his ear off and asked a million and two questions, and the youngest was just happy to be there. We caught some HUGE lake trout! Captain Tyler worked hard to get us those fish. Utterly amazing experience. 10/10. Will book again!

    Reported catch:
    Lake Trout
  • Joshua Sutin
    Joshua Sutin
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Maxed out

    12 PM - Trolling, GT Bay • 6 adults

    5 Texans and 1 CA novices. Captain T, made us feel comfortable, did all the work, and Dad walked away with biggest catch of the trip. Pretty sure Tyler knew how to get best tip and hooked Dad up to be the hero on many levels. Book this guide for great trip.

    Reported catch:
    Lake Trout

Real catches shared by our community

  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    Three young anglers proudly display striped bass aboard a boat on a calm lake during a family fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Lake Whitefish
    Adam M.
    Adam M.
    We had such a great trip with Tyler, catching salmon, trout and Cisco. book with him!
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    An angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a clear day.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Rick L.
    Rick L.
    Best fishing experience of my life. You will not be disappointed. 10 outta 10!
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout while enjoying a day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Lake Trout
    Steven C.
    Steven C.
    Spectacular day on the water. Boat and equipment are phenomenal. Tyler had us on the fish within 15 minutes of leaving shore. Caught our limit of lake trout in 1 1/2 hours, including a few monster fish. Also caught a 15 pound king salmon. Tyler was a great host….knowledgeable, gracious and helpful. All we had to do was keep “reeling ‘em in”!
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    Angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a sunny day.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Jakob C.
    Jakob C.
    Captain Tyler was phenomenal, he was very professional and definitely knew his stuff. He made the trip very fun and was able to get us on some amazing fishing spots. My wife and mother-in-law had very little fishing experience and he was able to make the experience one they won't forget. We started out fishing over one area and after learning the fish were only biting when traveling a certain direction he adjusted accordingly and was able to catch us our limit for the day. If you are on the fence about going out with this charter, dont be. You will make great memories and have a wonderful time enjoying the waters out in Traverse Bay.
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    Young angler proudly holding two large lake trout aboard a fishing boat on calm open water.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Tony M.
    Tony M.
    Incredible!!! Captain Tyler was exceptional! he was Captains you read about! 6 of of us.a 7 year old and a 9year and we limited out and we all jad a blast! would recommend him 1000 percent! awesome noat and rigs!
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    A young angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a calm lake, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Joshua S.
    Joshua S.
    5 Texans and 1 CA novices. Captain T, made us feel comfortable, did all the work, and Dad walked away with biggest catch of the trip. Pretty sure Tyler knew how to get best tip and hooked Dad up to be the hero on many levels. Book this guide for great trip.
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    A neat display of multiple Lake Trout laid out on a fillet table, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Bradley H.
    Bradley H.
    Caught 4 limits and more in a couple hours. Big lake trout. Captain Tyler is excellent and great with kids.
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    A couple proudly displaying their catch of two large Lake Trout while enjoying a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Tammie B.
    Tammie B.
    Could not believe how quickly the fish started biting after we got out. Ended up catching six really nice looking lake trout. Tyler fileted and packaged them up for us before we even got off the boat. Would highly recommend this boat charter!!!!
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    Two adult anglers pose aboard a boat while displaying a large spotted northern pike on a calm freshwater lake.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Leo P.
    Leo P.
    caught our limit of Lake Trout in less than 2 hours. Got what we expected for this time of year. Captain was excellent. Nice job that he bled the fish and cleaned them. Good trip for family and friends.
  • Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/Cast
    Pure Angling – Trolling or Jig/CastElk Rapids, MI
    Angler proudly holding a large lake trout aboard a fishing boat on open water, with trolling rods and rod holders visible.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Carlos C.
    Carlos C.
    Great trip. Captain Tyler was amoable and informative. Everything went smoothly and we caught our limit in two hours. See y next time, Tyler!

What's biting with Pure Angling – ICE - Traverse City/Cadillac in Traverse City

Salmon and Steelhead are in the rivers, waiting for you to hook 'em. Grab your fishing buddy and head out for the adventure of a lifetime. 

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Two anglers posing with a display of freshly caught fish on a boat, showcasing a successful fishing trip on a lake.

The fishing has been great recently!

Oct 20, 2022 • Elk Rapids
We are still out on the water and plan on fishing into November. The fishing has been great as the photos in this report will show. Morning or evening fishing has been great and I have no preference. Book a trip with your family/friends and enjoy these fall colors from the water ?
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A family of four proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout while enjoying a sunny day on the water.

Fantastic fishing (catching) right now!

Aug 1, 2022 • Elk Rapids
The fishing is great right now at any time of day. Limited out in less than 3 hours on two mid-day trips (12-4) in the past week! The kids are having a blast as the fishing is steady. Come on out!
Show more