I was excited to book a musky charter with Steve as I grew up watching his segments and commercials on Practical Sportsman (now Michigan Outdoors). He runs a small operation with nice vessels and was good about returning calls texts and emails. I had a corporate trip with 4 people total and per the paperwork we were to depart from metro party shoppe at 3 pm. I arrived early (2:20 pm) and my guests (In a different car) were late and arrived at 3:15 pm. During the entire time we waited together, Steve kept saying that we were late and that he was not going to be able to make it to the best spot, and that they were going to have barely any time to fish. When my guests arrived the first words he said were something like, hi, you are all really late, you've made things difficult, we have to go now.
His paperwork said it was illegal to take liquor into Canadian waters, so I did not bring any. When my guests showed up with a 12 pack of beer, he allowed them to bring it on board, then after we were off the dock, told them how it was not allowed and how much trouble we could all get into if stopped. This also made it appear as if I had neglected to bring beer to a fishing trip, which, when i think about it, is really what i have an issue with.
As far as the fishing we did not hook a single muskie, however we may have gotten one bite, which Steve said would have made the trip a "Success". I know that much of that is beyond the control of the captain, however for $960.00 for 4 hours of fishing, I would expect him to have a better command of the hot spots. On the way home Steve told my guests that Muskies are easy to find and catch, but that they made it hard by being so late and that we could not get to the good spot. Again, I would have expected a bit of flexibility as WE WERE ONLY 15 MINUTES LATE.
His first mate, Len was pretty cool and very laid back and held good conversation during the voyage.
I'm sure Steve has run and will run other successful charters, but overall I thought he was a dick and it felt like he was phoning it in. Not worth $900.00, will not book again. read more