Hire a Walleye Charter? Or “Do It Myself” Fishing?
If you talk to the majority of successful entrepreneurs or business owners from just about any walk of life, the claim seems to be the same. The best return on investment they see is always investing in themselves. They use webinars, lectures, and classes to short-track them to success.
In the Lake Erie fishing industry, you can spend thousands on: fishing gear, rod holders, jets, snap weights, rods, reels, different types of lines, and the list goes on. At some point, the purchases you made on gear that wasn’t really relevant to the goal you’re trying to achieve may outweigh the cost of a knowledgeable guide. Hiring a charter could save you money and get you catching more fish, faster.
If you are an experienced angler who has fished for walleye all over the country, or someone who has never picked up a fishing rod but wants to experience our great fishery – take a second and read this. We have people who travel from as far West as California to as far East as Maine to come and fish Lake Erie.
Our Lake Erie walleye fishery has truly exploded over the past decade. The walleye population has been climbing – but so has the number of fishermen. If you browse the internet, you will see that everyone is a professional guide but do not want to help you learn.
Which is the opposite of our charter captain philosophy.
Here at Lake Erie Charter Service, we take your experience in fishing into consideration as long as you have an open mind, and you’re willing to learn on the water. We can show you different lures or patterns and help show you ways to present them that have been successful for us. Yes, walleye are walleye but they all act differently in different bodies of water due to the lakes design, forage, water temperature, or their seasonal movements.
Fish behavior is a major factor on Lake Erie. No matter how experienced you are as a fisherman, the first time on this lake it can be intimidating. Invest in hiring a charter and the Lake Erie Charter Service Captains can show you; what to look for on your electronics; how to navigate the lake safely; where & when you should be investigating certain areas of the lake; plus, what structure to target and the best places to launch a boat in your future outings.
Lake Erie is 240 miles long – there is A LOT of water to filter through.
Another advantage of hiring a guide service is that they can help you save time and money by avoiding unproductive areas and using the most effective techniques. For example, depending on what side of the lake you are fishing from, reefs in front of Davis Bessie or trolling in 65 ft. of water by Cleveland. The equipment being used and how to properly use it differs.
The skills we can teach you in both areas will save you money and important vacation time.
Each angler is different in the way they want to catch the fish. For example, jigging, casting worm harness or trolling. We can help you with all of them.
For the anglers who own their own boat and are interested in fishing Lake Erie, we always suggest booking a charter on the first day of your trip or each trip you make. You save a ton of time looking for fish, choosing the correct lures, trolling speeds, target depths, etc.
Simply, it will set the rest of your Lake Erie fishing trip up for success, taking a lot of the guessing out of it. It will help you be able to focus on having a good time with your friends and family, instead of being bummed out…while catching no fish.
When you come out fishing with us, we’ll help you perfect the craft in your passion – no matter which technique you prefer. Trust me, there is no better feeling than getting my clients on fish and helping them grow as a fisherman.
Finally the last topic I wanted to touch on is my least favorite. When choosing to purchase a guided charter trip the cost of hiring a guide varies depending on the length of the trip, the number of people, and the services provided. People who are both experienced fishermen or greenhorns will sometimes cringe at the cost of a charter.
Well, let’s talk about costs.
When you own a fishing charter business you need to have: a boat, rods, reels, lures, copious amounts of line, and terminal tackle. Then, you factor in expenses including gas, dockage, insurance, etc. The price of fishing can be terrifying. Please understand that we are fishing at a high level, and can show you the differences between needs and wants. We can show you how to be a successful, budget-friendly walleye fisherman, or show you the gear needed to take your sport to the next level.
Like the old saying says, you get what you pay for. Here at Lake Erie Charter Service, we pride ourselves in making sure you have the best experience possible. An incredible experience that brings you back every year or helps you in your own pursuit of walleye.
However, there are some things you can do that will help save yourself some money. You can get a large group together and all can help split the cost – or go on a shorter trip.
In summary, whether or not to hire a charter for your fishing vacation to Lake Erie depends on your experience level, knowledge of the area, and budget. If you are new to fishing or the area, or if you want to improve your chances of catching fish and learning new skills, hiring a charter can be a great investment.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us at 330-309-5734. We’re here to help!
Captain Dylan Nostrant
Lake Erie Charter Service LLC
(330) 309-5734