Half Day Nova Scotia Multi Species Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Half-day charter targets striped bass and multiple speciesProfessional guide provides instruction for all skill levelsIncludes premium gear, tackle, and freshly prepared lunch
When you're looking for variety on the water, this half-day charter with Alan Stortts hits all the right notes. You'll spend four solid hours working Nova Scotia's prime inland lakes and river systems, targeting everything from hard-fighting striped bass to scrappy smallmouth. The 18-foot StarCraft Legend with twin Mercury engines gets you to the fish fast, and with room for just three anglers, you're getting personal attention that makes all the difference. Whether you've been fishing for decades or just picked up your first rod, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps you coming back.
Alan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about moving spots to find where the fish are biting. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility – you might start the morning working structure for smallmouth bass, then shift to deeper water for lake trout, or find yourself casting into weed lines for pickerel and perch. The boat's twin engines mean you're not wasting time getting between productive areas. You'll be fishing with quality gear from the moment you step aboard – premium rods, reels that can handle whatever you hook, and custom eco-friendly tackle that's proven effective on these waters. The freshly prepared lunch keeps your energy up for the full four hours, because trust me, when the bite is on, you don't want to be thinking about food.
The tackle selection changes based on what's running and where Alan decides to focus the trip. For striped bass, you'll likely be working with medium-heavy spinning gear and proven presentations like swimbaits or live bait rigs. Smallmouth fishing calls for lighter tackle and finesse techniques – think jigs, soft plastics, and topwater when conditions are right. Lake trout fishing often means going deeper with downriggers or weighted lines, while pickerel and perch respond well to smaller lures and live bait presentations. Alan provides all the gear, but he's also happy to work with your own tackle if you've got favorites you want to use. The key is matching your approach to current conditions – water temperature, weather, and seasonal patterns all play into the strategy for the day.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These silver rockets can push 20-30 pounds in Nova Scotia waters, offering fights that test both your tackle and your technique. They're most active during spring and fall migrations, but summer holds can produce steady action when you find them. Smallmouth bass bring a different kind of excitement – pound for pound, they're some of the hardest fighting freshwater fish you'll encounter. They love rocky structure and drop-offs, and a 3-4 pound smallie will give you a workout on appropriate tackle. Chain pickerel are the water wolves of these systems, ambushing prey from weed cover with lightning-fast strikes. They're aggressive, toothy, and always ready to eat, making them perfect targets when you want consistent action. American yellow perch might be smaller, but they make up for size with numbers and taste – when you find a school, you can fill the cooler quickly. Lake trout round out the mix as the deep-water specialists, often the largest fish in the system and always a prize catch when they cooperate.
This top-rated Nova Scotia fishing charter offers everything serious anglers want – variety, quality equipment, expert guidance, and waters that consistently produce fish. Alan's local knowledge and willingness to adapt to conditions mean you're maximizing your time on the water, not just going through the motions. The four-hour format is perfect for families, visiting anglers, or anyone wanting to sample the best of Nova Scotia's inland fishing without committing to a full day. With launch locations chosen seasonally for the best success rates, you know you're fishing prime water every trip. Don't wait on this one – quality guide trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when all these species are most active.
Hit the water in our 2022 StarCraft Legend 18xtr, perfectly rigged for Nova Scotia's diverse fishing opportunities. This 18-foot platform combines comfort with serious fishing capability, powered by twin Mercury engines that'll get you to the hot spots quickly and quietly with the 8hp kicker. Built to handle three anglers comfortably, she's equipped with everything you need for a successful day chasing striped bass, lake trout, and smallmouth bass across our pristine lakes and rivers. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS navigation ensures we can return to productive spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the four-hour trip. Captain Alan knows these waters inside and out, adapting to seasonal patterns by launching from different locations to maximize your chances. Whether you're a weekend warrior or first-time angler, this setup delivers the stability and fishability that makes the difference between stories and photos.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the perfect fish for building confidence – they're eager biters, school up in good numbers, and make fantastic eating. These golden beauties with dark vertical bars typically run 7-8 inches, though we occasionally see them push past a foot. They hang around weed beds, docks, and structure in our lakes, often in schools of 50-200 fish. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn, but they bite year-round. What guests love is the non-stop action once you find a school, plus they're some of the best-tasting freshwater fish around – sweet, flaky white meat. Ultra-light gear makes them a blast to catch. Local tip: when you catch one perch, stay put and work that spot thoroughly. Where there's one, there's usually a whole school waiting.
Esox NigerChain pickerel are our local water wolves – aggressive predators that'll attack almost anything that moves. They're smaller than their pike cousins, usually running 18-24 inches and 2-3 pounds, but don't let size fool you. These chain-patterned fighters love weedy, slower waters and will ambush prey from cover. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall. What makes them fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're edible but quite bony. The razor-sharp teeth mean you'll want a steel leader. Here's what works: use flashy spinnerbaits or topwater plugs and try the "figure 8" retrieve near the boat – that erratic action drives them crazy and often triggers a last-second strike.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of our cold northern lakes – true trophies that can reach 20-30 pounds and live for decades. These grey-green char with cream-colored spots prefer the coldest, deepest water with high oxygen levels. They're slow-growing and long-lived, making each one special. Early season right after ice-out and late fall are best when they move up from the depths. Summer means fishing deep with downriggers or heavy jigs. What makes them worth targeting is their size, their fight in deep water, and their excellent eating quality. They prefer low-light conditions and wounded baitfish presentations. Here's my depth finder trick: look for suspended fish over 40+ feet of water, then work vertical jigs just above them – lake trout often rise to take a bait rather than chase it down.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound one of the strongest fighters you'll hook in our lakes. These bronze-backed beauties average 18-20 inches and typically run 2-4 pounds, with females getting a bit larger. They love clear water with rocky bottoms and plenty of structure to hide behind. Spring and fall are your best bets when they're in shallower water – summer pushes them deeper where the water stays cool. What guests love most is their attitude – they'll jump, run, and give you everything they've got on light tackle. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild flesh. My go-to tip for Nova Scotia smallies: target the rocky points early morning with something that mimics a crayfish – they can't resist it.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the real prize in our waters – these silvery fighters with those classic dark stripes can hit 20-40 pounds and put up a serious battle. They're anadromous, so they move between salt and fresh water, adapting well to our inland systems. You'll find them around structure like drop-offs and rocky areas, especially in moving water. Spring through fall are prime times when water temps hit that sweet spot between 55-68°F. What makes them special? That powerful run when hooked, plus they're fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. Here's a local trick: focus on dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding near the surface, and don't be afraid to work the current breaks where they ambush baitfish.
Nova Scotia