Private Full Day Catfish Charter on Lake Erie
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday catfish charter accommodates up to six anglersAll gear, tackle, and professional fish cleaning includedMultiple species available including walleye and perch
Looking for a solid day of catfish action without the crowds? Our private full-day charter puts you and up to five buddies right in the sweet spots where Lake Erie's cats like to hang out. We're talking about a legitimate 8-hour fishing trip where you'll have the boat all to yourselves, plus all the gear and tackle you need. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while keeping things relaxed and fun. At $750 for your whole group, it's one of the better deals you'll find for a private charter on the big lake.
This isn't your typical party boat situation - you're getting the full private treatment here. We'll pick our spots based on what's been producing lately, usually working structure and drop-offs where catfish like to patrol for an easy meal. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels to fresh bait and all the terminal tackle. Don't worry about bringing anything except maybe some snacks and drinks for the crew. The captain will get you dialed in on the techniques that work best for the day's conditions, whether we're anchoring up on a productive hole or doing some controlled drifting. Weather and fish behavior dictate the game plan, but we're flexible and always ready to switch things up if the bite slows down. Plus, you might hook into some bonus fish - sheephead, walleye, carp, perch, white bass, and even the occasional goby make appearances when you're targeting cats.
We keep it pretty straightforward for catfish - medium to heavy action spinning rods paired with reels that can handle some drag pressure when a big channel or blue decides to make a run. Circle hooks are the way to go, usually in the 2/0 to 4/0 range depending on bait size and what we're expecting to catch. Fresh cut bait works great, but we'll also have crawlers, chicken liver, and sometimes some stinkbait that really gets their attention. The key is getting your presentation right - we'll be fishing on or near the bottom where these fish spend most of their time hunting. Slip sinker rigs are bread and butter, but we might switch to three-way swivels if there's current to deal with. The captain will show you how to feel the difference between a catfish pickup and other species - cats tend to be pretty deliberate when they take bait, and once you get the hang of it, you'll know exactly when to set the hook. GPS and fish finder help us stay on productive water, but reading the conditions and adjusting throughout the day is what separates a good trip from a great one.
Channel catfish are the bread and butter of Lake Erie's catfish scene, and for good reason. These fish are scrappy fighters that'll test your drag and give you a solid battle from hook-up to the net. Most channels we see run anywhere from 2 to 8 pounds, with the occasional fish pushing double digits when conditions are right. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught consistently through late fall. What makes channel cats so popular with our groups is their willingness to bite and the fact that they taste fantastic on the dinner table. They're not picky eaters either - fresh cut bait, crawlers, and prepared baits all produce when you put them in the right spots.
Blue catfish are the real prize when you're targeting Lake Erie's catfish population. These fish grow significantly larger than channels and have the strength to back up their size. Blues in the 10 to 20-pound range aren't uncommon, and every season we see fish that push well beyond that mark. They prefer deeper water and structure, which makes finding them a bit more challenging, but when you connect with a school of feeding blues, the action can be absolutely lights-out. Their fighting style is different too - more bulldogging power and long runs that'll have you questioning your drag setting. Blue cats are primarily found in the deeper sections of the western basin, and they tend to feed most aggressively during low-light periods. Landing one of these fish is definitely a highlight of any trip, and the meat is some of the best eating you'll find in freshwater.
Here's the deal - at $750 for your entire group of up to 6 anglers, you're getting serious value for a private charter experience. We handle all the gear, tackle, and equipment, plus our complimentary fish cleaning service means you'll head home with a cooler full of ready-to-cook fillets instead of a messy cleanup job. The 50% deposit locks in your date, and trust me, the good weather days fill up fast during peak season. Lake Erie's catfish bite stays strong from late spring through fall, so there's plenty of opportunity to get out there and put some fish in the boat. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, family outing, or just want to try something different from the usual walleye grind, this charter delivers the goods. Give us a call and let's get your group set up for a day of solid catfish action on one of the Great Lakes' most productive fisheries.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are the heavyweights of Lake Erie's catfish scene, commonly running 15-30 pounds with giants over 50 pounds always possible. These slate-blue bruisers patrol deeper channels and drop-offs, typically 20-40 feet down where they ambush anything that moves. Unlike their channel catfish cousins, blues have that distinctive squared-off anal fin and slight underbite that makes them aggressive surface feeders too. They fight harder and longer than channels, making every hookup a real battle. Summer and early fall produce the best fishing when they're actively feeding. The meat is excellent - firm and mild. Here's my secret: fresh cut herring on a Carolina rig, let it hit bottom and stay put. Blues are opportunistic, so patience pays off big time.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel catfish are Lake Erie's most reliable bottom dwellers, averaging 2-10 pounds with trophy fish pushing 20+ pounds. These whiskered fighters prefer deeper waters around 15-30 feet, especially near drop-offs and muddy bottoms where they hunt crawfish, minnows, and anything that smells right. Their slime-covered bodies make them slippery customers once hooked, and those sharp pectoral fins will get you if you're not careful. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. What makes them special is their incredible sense of taste - they literally taste the water through their entire body. My go-to trick? Fresh cut bait on the bottom with a slip sinker rig. Let it sit still and wait for that distinctive catfish pull.
Cleveland