Getting involved in charter fishing Lake Erie Western Basin

[mike]

I am about to get my coast guard license.
I am thinking about getting involved in chartering.The boat is a 22 ft.Pursuit.
I know this boat will not fish six,but it will fish three comfortably.Do you think there is a need for a charter service like this. what are the pros and cons of this idea and also, where do you find out about getting a guides license.The
lake Erie charter boat association said you had to have one but did'nt say how to get one.
Thank you for your suggestions and or criticisms on this idea

[Bob K]

Mike,
I have been chartering for walleyes on lake Eries
central basin for 11 years now with a 2350(23 ft)
Pursuit. The boat has been exceptional for me but I limit the charters to 4 person maximum. I recently bought a 26 ft Pursuit so I can handle 5 people. The problem I can see with a smaller boat is a reluctance by many to fish on a smaller boat-
especially corporate clients. The average length on Lake Erie is about 28 Ft, so your competition has an advantage strictly because of boat size. You will be able to take some 3-4 person charters with a 22 ft boat but if you want to run alot of trips you will probably need a larger boat.EMail me if you need more advice. good Luck, Bob K.

[Capt. Denny Bergeman]

Mike,

First I will answer the question on the Guide License. Once you have your Coast Guard License you then can apply for a Lake Erie Fishing Guide License. (Form 177) You get the application from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. All they require is a copy of your Coast Guard license, OH number/Documentation number, and lenght of your boat. Cost is $50.
Address 305 E. Shoreline Dr., Sandusky, Ohio 44870
Phone - 419-625-8062

As for the size of your boat. I agree with the previous person. You can handle 2 to 3 persons on a charter, but no more. There is a need for that size of charter. However, to make expenses etc. what you will be able to charge may make it difficult to make much money. If you have any other questions I can answer just drop me an e-mail. Good Fishing.

[Capt. Dave Adams]

>I am about to get my
>coast guard license.
>I am thinking about getting involved
>in chartering.The boat is a
>22 ft.Pursuit.
>I know this boat will not
>fish six,but it will fish
>three comfortably.Do you think there
>is a need for a
>charter service like this. what
>are the pros and cons
>of this idea and also,
>where do you find out
>about getting a guides license.The
>
>lake Erie charter boat association said
>you had to have one
>but did'nt say how to
>get one.
>Thank you for your suggestions and
>or criticisms on this idea
>

[Capt. Dave Adams]

Chartering on Lake Erie is a service business and what you may need to look at are 2 things. What is the best way to provide this service and what will the expense be. I started chartering last year with a 22.5 Penn Yan, we limited the amount of clients to 4 people. With a smaller boat the expense was greatly reduced and both the Pursuit and Penn Yan provide excellent open water comfort. The majority of our charters were families and 2 person trips, we finished the season with 51 trips. The recreation fishing market is huge and many anglers are looking for a good service not just a big boat. Provide a safe trip, quality equipment, freindly service and you will do well. Email me any time and I will be glad to help.