Frequently Asked Questions

 We recommend to bring a small cooler aboard with beverages and snacks. Beer is allowed, just no glass please. Sunglasses, sunscreen, soft-soled shoes, a hat, rain gear, Dramamine or other motion sickness medication if subject to motion sickness (we recommend to start taking it 24-48 HOURS before your trip!), and your Ohio fishing license. Make sure to also bring a cooler along for after your trip to put your fish in.  

You will follow the signs once you are in the state park to the guest/visitor parking lot. Once you park, you will walk directly west to the Marina Store building (blue roof). You will meet your captain near the store front and patio area. The boats are located on 'H' dock. Depending on your arrival time and trip departure time, sometimes the entry gate to the dock row is electronically locked, which is why we will meet you up by the store and walk you and your crew down to the boats. 

 The Ohio Department of Natural Resources sells and distributes fishing licenses to residents and non-residents. The easiest method to purchase your license is online at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources link located in the 'Links' section below. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources also has an easy-to-use app available to use on your smartphone that you can purchase and store your licenses right on your phone.  The Geneva State Park Marina also sells fishing licenses at the marina store. Keep in mind, the store does not open until 6am. It is preferred that you and your group secure your licenses before the day of your trip due to varying departure times.

 No. Our fishing trips are suitable for both experienced and novice anglers. Our guides will provide as much or as little instruction and assistance as needed. Our goal is to provide an experience that is as hands-on or hands-off as you'd like it to be. We also can provide learning charters as well for recreational fishermen that are looking to polish up their skills and learn new techniques.   

 Lake Erie's conditions are heavily influenced by Mother Nature. With today's weather forecasting technologies, we usually are able to give our clients a couple days' notice with the forecasted weather & lake conditions for the day of their trip. In the event of forecasted 'rough' lake conditions, we give you our honest opinion on what to expect. We will never put our clients or our crew in any type of danger and safety is always our number one priority. Weather cancelations are at the discretion of the captain. It is common for a pushed back departure to get you and your crew out for some catching, but not always. In the event of a cancellation, you do have the option of rescheduling your trip to hopefully catch better lake conditions at a near future date. A link to the NOAA Lake Erie Marine Forecast is located in the 'Links' section below to check the current and forecasted lake conditions. 

We can promise that the fish do not care that it is raining...they are already wet! Suit up in your rain gear and let's go catching! On a side note, our boats do have large hardtops to provide shelter from the rain. We do, however, play it by ear when it comes to storms and lightning. The summertime storms we get in our area of the lake are fast moving and spotty and can usually be handled with a delayed dock departure. If we are on the lake while fishing and a storm is within the vicinity, we will make that call as the situation develops.  

 Yes. Fish cleaning is available for $3-4/fish. If you have 2 or 3 days of consecutive trips planned, they are able to hold your fish for you in their freezer until your departure day.  If you would like your fish cleaned by our cleaner, please expect varying wait times, especially on weekends. They do their best to make sure they process your catch in a timely manner. The cleaner will pick up your catch right from the marina and you are able to pick it up 3 minutes away at their cleaning station location. While you wait, feel free to enjoy the awesome made-to-order food at the marina store grill on their beautiful patio with an adult beverage!

 The First Mate works for tips on our vessels. It has always been customary to tip at least 20% of the cost of your trip. We tell our customers to tip to reflect the hard work our mates put into making their fishing trip a successful and memorable experience. Also, tipping the captain is definitely not necessary, but is an appreciated gesture.