
🎣NEW FOR 2026!!🎣
Charters on The Big Lake!
(Targeting Salmon, Steelhead & Lake Trout.)

We are USCG & DNR licensed, insured & fully inspected!
Both Captain Steve Fraley and John Robinson must be available in order to book a Lake Michigan Charter, and these are available from May 1st to August 31st annually. Currentl we are only offering trips that are 6 hours dock to dock or your fish limit, whatever comes first. (Your catch will be cleaned and bagged.) There are two options; am or pm and you should contact the shop for current start times.

Trips are aboard the vessel “Stumpy”, Steve and John’s 30′ Cruisers Yachts Villa Vee that is based out of Manistee. They purchased (and have very successfully tested 😉) all new rods and reels to go with this new (to them) vessel and they run premium electronics on board to help in the pursuit of the fish, navigation and communication as well as all required safety gear…

She features a 10’ beam, large rear deck with lots of room for fishing, a comfortable cabin w/bathroom (head) amongst other amenities for a safe, comfortable, productive and professional trip!
Plain rain does not cancel a trip, but some weather and certain waves can and do. Safety is always our first concern, and cancellations are entirely at the captain’s discretion. Weather and waves cannot always be predicted with accuracy ahead of time, but we will do our best to keep you informed as your date nears…
We are operating out of Manistee as our port and the meeting place is: Seng’s Marina, 47 Lake Street, Manistee, MI 49660 (Further instructions, a gate and restroom code as well as Captain Steve’s personal cell phone number will be provided to you once your trip is booked.)
What you need!
- Fishing license & ID
- Appropriate layers of clothing and/or rain gear for any conceivable weather that day, sunscreen and sunglasses
- A small cooler (or the like) set up for any food or beverages you would like to bring with you. Both are your own responsibility, and we do not supply either. Please no glass, there is no cooking on board and please drink responsibly. (No consumption of alcohol by minors under any circumstances.)
- A larger cooler (or the like) set up for your fish to take home. (Again, your catch will be cleaned and bagged for you.)
- A fun attitude! 😎
- Pro tip! Take Dramamine (or the like) the day before and day of if you are prone to motion sickness… (Return to the dock for any reason may be considered end of trip with no refund, extension or reschedule.)

Booking a Lake Michigan Charter
To book a trip, we will need a major credit card number with an expiration date past that of the scheduled trip date, (or the full trip fee at the time of booking) a mailing address, as well as home and/or cell phone number(s)… Our current trip fee is $825.00 for up to 6 people. There is a 3.25% fee on credit cards adding up to an additional $26.81, but the normal fee may be paid in full on the day of the trip without cc fee with cash or check made out to BBT. (Tips, if earned, are of course appreciated and are not included in the fee.) Cancellations by the captain are no fee whatsoever, but the credit card is needed to hold your date(s) in case of cancellation within one month or a no show by client wherein a full fee is charged.
We hope to be a part of your adventures! 👍







