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Posts: 7088
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Thinking of heading up to check out what the excitement is all about...but want to get a couple days out guided before I wander aimlessly. Looking for someone who both casts AND trolls, not just one or the other.
Suggestions? |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | S.B. |
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Posts: 962
| slamr-
Captain Matt "Catfish" Firestein would be my top choice for both. He runs Whopper Stopper Charters
He runs a 31' for trolling charters and has a 21' Lund for casting or trolling trips.
I have fished with him for 14 years over there. He is a top notch Guide for casting and a Master at trolling big water. Ask anyone from that area they know he has consistently been a producer of huge fish... He has won or placed in a lot of tournaments on St. Clair. So if you want the best at both I would pick him
610-999-7171- Catfish- His website is being reconstructed now.
Edited by Jeff Hanson 12/12/2013 11:39 AM
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Posts: 619
| Mr. Berman |
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Posts: 3
| I 2nd Jeff's recommendation of Matt Firestein. I just got back from fishing St. Clair, casting and trolling by the way, and it while it was tough going we put as many fish in the in the boat as anyone and as many big fish as I heard anyone else talking about.
His logo says Cast, Troll, Jig but it could say Entertaining, Educating and Exciting. He's a very versatile fisherman who seems to always be in touch with what the fish are up to.
Craig Eversoll
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Posts: 476
Location: WI | With Catfish I can guarantee he'll not only teach you a thing or two, but keep you entertained the entire time!
Edited by GOTONE 12/12/2013 1:49 PM
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | Ive spent time with Catfish both trolling and casting and put a considerable amount of fish in the boat doing both. He is about as versatile an angler as there is up there and has access to multiple rigs depending on your needs. |
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| Matt is responsible for a lot of the things people take for granted now!!! |
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Posts: 295
Location: mad chain | I agree with everything that is said about Matt above. He is one of the pioneers of St Clair. He can catch them castin or trolling and entertain you while doing it. Most off all he is one of nicest guys I have had the pleasure to fish with. Whopper Stopper!
Edited by The Mighty Oak Leaf 12/12/2013 10:11 PM
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Posts: 42
| I'd go wiht Catfish. he''s willing to teach you a thing or two, He's a great guy! He knows his Musky.
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Posts: 1
| Catfish without a doubt. No one else knows and loves these fish like him. With Cat you are always in for a trip of a lifetime with a shot at a fish of a lifetime. Most down to earth musky loving freak you will ever meet. |
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Posts: 431
| Without a doubt Chris Mahan of Casting St. Clair Guide service. Primarily and caster but also trolls when the need arises. |
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Posts: 20251
Location: oswego, il | With 3 days left.you better get cracking! Ice! |
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | Mr. Golden, I like where your head is at. |
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Posts: 360
Location: Algonac, MI | Slamr - All the above mentioned do very well here.
Casting & trolling capable, narrows your search quite a bit. Only a handful do both. Biggest issue you are facing now is mother nature.....plus our season closes 12/15/13. (12/16 until 1st Saturday in June - muskie is closed)
Most (ALL) large trolling boats have been hauled and stored for winter. Most the canals, ramps and marinas already have 3-5" of ice, with guys bucket fishing. Much of the shoreline is already frozen. The Channels/Rivers and mid-Anchor Bay will be your best option if you can get out before the 16th.
Dual Michigan guides:
Whopper Stopper (aka Catfish) - Matt Firestein (2 boats)
Spencer Berman
Fins & Grins - Jason & Matt Quintano (Matt & Spencer work together quite a bit) (2 boats)
Fish Headz - Joel Piatek (2 boats)
Heatwave - Craig Miller (2 boats)
Muskie Mania - Mike Pittiglio (2 boats)
Chris Mahan (mainly casts, but has trolling connections)
Dual Ontario guides:
Bob Devine
Justfish Guide Service - Andy Copeland
maybe Can-Am - Rick V
maybe Tim Price (Roughneck) - he does both, just not sure if he still guides
Good luck in your quest.
Edited by Contender 12/13/2013 9:52 AM
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Posts: 7088
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Thanks to all! And I'm thinking of July or September 2014! |
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Posts: 360
Location: Algonac, MI | Yesterday on the DR from the JW Westcott mail boat.
Edited by Contender 12/13/2013 10:19 AM
(WestcottDelivery-12-12-13-jb-(5).jpg)
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Posts: 618
Location: Michigan | Spencer Berman. Hulbert is also a great guide out there, but doesn't troll and not sure if he will be there in the Summer. |
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Location: Canada | Good info from Contender ! |
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Posts: 906
Location: Canada | Contender - 12/13/2013 10:43 AM
maybe Tim Price (Roughneck) - he does both, just not sure if he still guides
Fished with him last year, not sure he is still "guiding". Hoping to have him out in the boat with us next season or fish with him again. Talk to him all the time, chatted today in fact. |
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Posts: 358
| Mr. Golden you are gonna do what I have been dreaming and wanting to do for a long time ! Great topic and great information from everyone thanks, helps alot for when I get ready to go. |
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Posts: 962
| Muskie Mania does not cast for Musky- yes he has 2 boats but one is for Walleye charters neither him or his Partner Kris have ever caught a musky casting.
I have first mated for Muskie Mania for a month the last 3 years when My water here gets too hot.
Heatwave- is a good charter captain for trolling but is not a casting guide his second boat is for walleyes also. He just started learning how to cast this summer-
Spencer only trolls if the fish are not biting casting. I would recommend him for casting but not trolling
Fish Headz- Joel Piatek- Is not a musky caster does Musky Trolling trips only.
Your best 2 choices would be Finn's and Grinns- Good casters and trollers
and Whopper Stopper for Michigan Guys.
I don't know any of the Canadian guys Contender listed
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com
Edited by Jeff Hanson 12/13/2013 7:38 PM
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Location: Detroit River | The Mighty Oak Leaf - 12/12/2013 3:49 PM
I agree with everything that is said about Matt above. He is one of the pioneers of St Clair. He can catch them castin or trolling and entertain you while doing it. Most off all he is one of nicest guys I have had the pleasure to fish with. Whopper Stopper!
"one of the pioneers of St Clair." ??????
Could you elaborate on what he pioneered in LSC?
As for the original post, go with Fins N Grins if you want to do both.
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Posts: 378
Location: Michigan | Great to see Matt Firestein is actively guiding! Matt is a super guy, and an incredibly accomplished Muskie fisherman. Before the "buzz" the last 3-4 years, I guarantee he was one of the only guys catching late season giants casting. Matt has been well connected to many of the best fisherman on LSC for years. Matt has done things trolling that most people wouldn't believe. I think you would do well to fish with Matt!
Personally, I still think you might be better off trying a trolling only trip with the folks that do that best, and a separate trip with a different guide for casting.
Spencer is without question more dialed in than any other casting guide on LSC right now. There are other good guides, but I would have to say Spencer has the ability to zero in on the daily patterns better than anyone (he has a network and experience).
For trolling, I think you need to determine if you want to fish from a multi species boat, or a larger charter boat. Once you figure that out, then select from captains mentioned above by Contender. Most have been doing it for a long time. I would have a hard time going out with anyone who has been on LSC less than 5 years.
Edited by Chasin50 12/14/2013 7:44 AM
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Posts: 360
Location: Algonac, MI | delete
Edited by Contender 12/14/2013 8:51 PM
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Posts: 360
Location: Algonac, MI | Jeff Hanson - 12/13/2013 7:24 PM
Muskie Mania does not cast for Musky- yes he has 2 boats but one is for Walleye charters neither him or his Partner Kris have ever caught a musky casting.
Heatwave- is a good charter captain for trolling but is not a casting guide his second boat is for walleyes also. He just started learning how to cast this summer-
Spencer only trolls if the fish are not biting casting. I would recommend him for casting but not trolling
Fish Headz- Joel Piatek- Is not a musky caster does Musky Trolling trips only.
Your best 2 choices would be Finn's and Grinns- Good casters and trollers
and Whopper Stopper for Michigan Guys.
I don't know any of the Canadian guys Contender listed
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com
Jeff - the guys I listed are the only charters I know of "capable" of doing either type of trip. Based on they have the equipment to do so, if they choose. Yes, most their bread & butter is trolling the big boat. Matt runs trips for Muskie Mania, and could take someone casting if Mike booked it.
Joel is also capable to do both. Have jigged with him on the DR in his 20' Lund. Not his main deal, but he can do it.
Chasin50 would be another dual purpose angler, if he is guiding these days.
90% of the trolling charters on LSC, are not set up at all for casting. The ones I mentioned, could do it, since they have the boats. |
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Posts: 458
| Whomever you pick you need to get this from them in writing:
1) Are they a legally licensed guide in MI and Canada?
2) Have they had their boats inspected?
3) Do they have the sticker on their boat that says the are 100 percent legal?
If they will not put it in writing then they are not a legal guide. Good luck!
Edited by edalz 12/15/2013 6:33 PM
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Posts: 11
| Will take you out for free next season if you wish to fish Canadian side...My boat is located in Belle River on a lift during the season..
Can troll one day and cast the next if you wish.
Can get a room where I am also.
I am not a guide...(but get the odd fish).. 
....Brian
Edited by Wood & Water 12/15/2013 4:47 PM
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Posts: 20
| Wood and Water,I think my wife Nikki and I met you the second week of July last summer at Belle River Yacht club. If so, we had a good time visiting with everyone those evenings, Rick Swain |
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Posts: 11
| Yuup....good to hear from you..Hope all is well
Edited by Wood & Water 12/15/2013 4:51 PM
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| We wil be there same week again 2014. |
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Posts: 1530
| a few fish eh brian..
heard a rumour. the fat girls have a bounty on you. |
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Posts: 358
| I like reading these post, however can't wait and would love to fish LSC. ! Someday ! |
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Posts: 1530
| just common over to Canada. we don't bite are easy going folks. expensive gasoline. great beer lots of fish to catch and let go. |
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Posts: 75
| I would take Wood and water up on his offer if I were you. Awesome fisherman and very informative also!!! |
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| SPENCER BERMAN. no doubt about it. |
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Posts: 111
| My suggestion is Spencer. He casts and trolls. Most of his fish are caught casting, but he is in tune to the trolling bite as his PMTT Team of the Year partner is on one of the best trolling boats on LSC. In other words, Spencer does what it takes to put his clients on the most and biggest fish possible given the conditions and what technique is working. His numbers the last 2 years are extraordinary, 700+ each year for numbers and 60+ each year for fish 50" and above. |
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Posts: 3
| Spencer Berman. He is by far the most dialed caster on Lake St. Clair. He consistently puts up numbers and size. I know I have never been disappointed when I'm in his boat. It is always a great experience, and he is a wealth of knowledge. There is always something new to be learned everyday you are on the water with him, and he is always happy to teach. Another attribute that makes him so successful is he works as a team with Fins and Grins charters, which is the best trolling charter on that water. The teamwork of both Spencer and Fins and Grins allows both boats to consistently stay on both numbers and size giving you the best bang for your hard earned dollar. |
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| My recommdation is Spencer Berman as well. Spencer has been my guide numerous times and each time it has been a rewarding experience. The knowledge that he has of St. Clair is astounding, and his ability to stay dialed in on big fish surprises me each time I join him. He has always been flexible with the style of fishing that is working at the time, and I have been fortunate to catch monster fish casting and trolling. Without question I would hire Spencer whenever I fish St. Clair. |
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