Capt. Mike

When just starting out(from scratch) in your charter business, what form of advertising did you find most effective?

I just started this spring (part-time) in Lk. St. Clair and the Detroit and St. Clair river. I did have 7 days of chartering, which I thought wasn't too bad for just starting. Once per week I would have been absolutly thrilled.

I have placed business cards where I could (restuarants and such) and also an ad on a website. Had probably 30 inquires via e-mail or by phone.

Sturgeon hole

Hole in the wall

Cow pasture

Locust point

Willow point

Banana dyke

Firecracker

I know we have alot more.....

Thanks for the report Mike. What's average size fish you are catching....15" - 18"?

Yup, thats the size.

Fishings been hot for more than a month now. Some are still jigging and alot of us are using bottom bouncers with a crawler harness. Limits are the norm.

Usually its 8 ft.

I find it very hard to believe, that hemi gets close to 22 mpg.

Me too! That I gotta see. SIL has one and gets terrible mileage.

2004 Dodge 2500 Diesel 22 mpg @55mph

20 mpg@ 70mph

12-13mpg@ 55-60 pulling a 5th wheel and boat.

15-16mpg for normal everyday driving

Most are jigging catching fish. Many limits in short order on good days.

I would think customers would want lots of fish. Myself, when going for walleye, I want the good eaters. 15"-18-19 or so.

No salmon on our side of the state to mention.LSC and SCR system.

Of course.

Going back in the morning with 2 guys. I'm gonna C&R. Got enough in the freezer for now. Gonna play around with some different baits.

Launched at 6:30 and had a 2 man limit by 9am. Jigging using a brown Gulp worm. Algonac area.

Try Great Lakes Marine Insurance 1-800-879-2248 or www.charterlakes.com

DNR here(Michigan) wants a minimum or $50,000 per person.

Yup, its true. Good thing for me is I got 5 years yet to renewal time. Maybe by then things will relax.

Its sold as of Thursday.

They are hot now. Limit this morning. Alot of boats dipping nets.

Yup, all better now, I can get in.

S of St. told me if I register it Comm/frieght, I can't use it for my pleasure. And yet I talked to a fellow Capt. and his is registered just like a normal boat.

All the check list says (for inspection) is a current registration.

Wish they would spell things out so as not to confuse. But I guess they want to confuse you at every turn (government)

Capt.Mike,

Yes your registration will be listed.......use: comm/freight

Your U.S. Merchant Marine covers passenger for hire (someone correct me please if I'm wrong?) Are they just requesting your U.S.M.M.O. #?

You will also need a sport trolling license. That is a catch 22. You cannot obtain it without a passing inspection and you can't pass the inspection without the sport trolling license. I would contact a local DNR office to expidite the Sport trolling Lisence in advance. Just let them know of your issue.

You will also need to have a copy of your insurance policy. (not a binder).

You can also call the DNR regional facility nearest you and ask to speak with someone in the law enforcement division for more specifics.

Sport license is for lake trout which where I am there is none.(Lk. St. Clair, Detroit river and the St. Clair river).

The lady at the DNR sent me a packet that contained an application for an Operators License. Which I'm sure my Capt. license takes care of.

I tried calling Lansing (517-335-3414) last week and no return call as of yet and my regional DNR office, to no avail. Lady at the DNR office said no one is there(ever) to answer questions. I have a few other explanations I need, so how the hell do I asked someone if nobody is there. I realize they are short staffed but give me a break. The lady at the DNR also need to brush up on her people skills. Very bad tone to her voice.

1. Registration of boat.

Regular or do you have a "commercial registration"?

2.Operator's license

Capt. license the same thing? DNR sent me a packet and it contains an application for an operators license for vessels to carry passengers for hire.

I called the local DNR office but there is no one in to answer questions other than the woman answering the phone and she doesn't answer questions.

This is my first inspection and would like to get everytrhing taken care of while I got the time.(next couple of weeks)

Has anyone ever taken the test without taking a course?

I was asked that same question by someone. Although anything is possible, I'm sure you would find it very difficult. We had so many quizes and reviews that it would have been hard not to pass. You will probably find the charting the most difficult. We spend about a good 2 1/2 days on it.

We were taught only what we had to know. (highlighted only the important stuff and disreguarded the rest (filler)).

Following are some additional hoops you have to jump thru:

- Pass four CG written tests. The easiest way to do this is to take a class by a CG approved instructor (6 days I think) and he can give the tests

- You must physically go to a CG Regional Exam Center (e.g., toledo or St. Louis) to show IDs, get fingerprinted, and give an oath.

For Michigan charter boat captains you

- Must be a member of a random drug test group (I think this is Michigan requirement not federal). The easiest way to do this for most people is to join the Michigan Charter Boat Association.

- Have your boat pass inspections by the Michigan DNR (both drydock and dockside). The boat must be reinspected every two years.

You can get a packet that explains the Federal requirements and gives you the proper forms by calling a CG Regional Exam Center. A packet of materials can be obtained from the Cadillac DNR office that gives the Michigan requirements. A discussion I had with Wisconsin licensing officials makes me believe that the requirements there are different than in Michigan.

JJ, not really nessasary to go to Toledo. We had an officer come to our class and swore all of us in at once. All ID(birth certificate and SS id) and fingerprints were sent in with our application. Id info was sent back after being approved.

Our class was 9 hours per day for 9 days. 80 hours and then took the test right there.

BTW, I took the class in Mt.Clemens at Great Lakes Charter training.

Above GPS also has a chip of Lk. Michigan.

2-Big John eletric down riggers. I got 2- 4 ft. ones and 2- 3ft ones, selling only 2 of them, your choice. They also come with a ball holder Asking $250 each

1-Walker electric downrigger with swival base 4ft arm-- $250

1-Cannon easy-troll manual downrigger with counter-- $100

1- Garmin Gpsmap 180 with external antenna---- $250

1- Fish Hawk Model 800, complete with surface temp and speed transducer,torpedo and power cord. ------$250

Got a fish hawk 800 with the boat I just boat. Won't ever use it. Anyone want one? Whats it worth?

Comes with probe, speed transducer( I think thats what it is) digital unit and power cord.

OK, thanks.