Guide:

About Your Trip

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Although Traverse City is known for its Salmon and Steelhead fishing, this area is also prime territory for Smallmouth Bass! Captain Butch has decades of experiences hooking wallhangers in the Bay and on the nearby inland lakes, and he excels in putting his clients on big fish.

Smallmouth Bass offer a great experience to all levels of anglers. These fish hit both baits and lures, and you can expect massive topwater takes in addition to big bites when you're jigging off the bottom. Captain Butch is happy to give you some expert advice so that you can improve your cast, perfect your retrieve, and hit a personal best!

On your fishing adventure, you will be fishing aboard a 21' Ranger skiff. She's ideal for fishing the shallow waters where big Smallies like to hang out, and she's powered by a 250-HP Yamaha outboard so you'll get out there in a hurry. Captain Butch will bring everything you need for an awesome trip, including all the rods, reels, and tackle. Just bring weather-appropriate clothing, your MI fishing licenses, and some sun protection, and you'll be ready to whack some big ones!

Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Federal Permit

This boat is federally permitted to go deep offshore.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 3 days before the trip.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Beer

No beer allowed.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	4 Hours	6 Hours	8 Hours
1 Person	$440.00	$540.00	$600.00
2 People	$440.00	$540.00	$600.00

Pay 10% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

Reserve Your Trip

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Butch D.

Independent Guide 8 years of exp.

Talkative

Instructional

After retiring as a mechanical engineer in the power industry, Captain Norvel turned his passion for bassfishing into a charter business. Come join him in Traverse City and create some awesome memories on the water!

About Your Guide

Butch D.

Independent Guide 8 years of exp.

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

6.5# smallmouth 10# largemouth

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Tenderloin steak

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

6.5# smallmouth 10# largemouth

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Tenderloin steak

What’s your favorite sports team?

Packers

What’s your drink of choice?

Water

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Your guide can be flexible with your start location.

You can work with your guide after booking to set a more specific start location in the area.

Traverse City, Michigan

Areas Fished

Grand Traverse Bay
Long Lake

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Traverse City Smallie Special

Boat Type: Bass Boat
Boat Manufacturer: Ranger
Year Built: 2011
Boat Length: 21'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Bass Boat
Boat Manufacturer: Ranger
Year Built: 2011
Boat Length: 21'
Engine Manufacturer: Yamaha
Total Horsepower: 250
Number of Engines: 1

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Federal Permit

This boat is federally permitted to go deep offshore.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 3 days before the trip.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Beer

No beer allowed.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing
Jigging
Light Tackle Fishing

Everything Else to Know

All rods, reels, and tackle are included, but we also recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, and any gear of your own you want to use on the trip.

You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 3 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 3 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

5.0

based on 2 reviews

Alfred

Verified Review

June 14

Had a great time found fish for us

Alfred

Verified Review

June 14

Had a great time found fish for us

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Terry

Verified Review

July 15

My daughter and I had a great time fishing with Butch. She had never caught a smallmouth before. Not only did she catch more than me she caught the biggest (4.40 lbs). Weather wasn't ideal with slick water and overcast most of the time but he still managed to put on some good fish. Our best 5 went a little over 16.5lbs. Was a good trip and I would...

Terry

Verified Review

July 15

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 1,600+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.