I’m not sure where to start! My family and I have literally chartered dozens of fishing trips over the years. Mostly up and down the US east coast, Mexico, and all over the Caribbean. This was our first freshwater charter and we were looking forward to it! The marina where Capt. Connor keeps KINGSLAYER was literally just a 10-15 minute drive from our hotel. This was a huge deal for us as many of the other charters we looked at required a 45-60 minute ride to get to the boat. Within a few minutes of our arrival, we were off the dock and headed to the fishing grounds, and 20 minutes later, we were on the fish. You can’t get any better than that, especially if you have folks/kids who are who are anxious to get fishing! One thing to note is, and I’m sort of stating the obvious here but it’s something most people don’t consciously think about, is the fact that the shorter the time to getting to the fish, the more time you get to fish!
Once on site and the rods were set, we immediately saw lunkers sitting at about 80’ on the fish finder. Within minutes we boated our first fish, a 28” lake trout. And the fishing never stopped until we were ready to head back!
Unlike the US, where all fishing regulations are designed to benefit the big, commercial interests, often at the expense of the recreational fisherfolks, Canada has a robust conservation and fisheries management program. That made for a fun, productive trip with a great Capt.
A note about Capt. Connor. I myself am a US licensed boat/yacht Captain, certified Marine Surveyor, and avid fisherman. As such, I can be fairly critical of my charter captains, their boats, and their gear. Of all the charters that I’ve hired, Capt. Connor is in the top 1%-2%. Here’s why: 1. He’s very quick to respond to my texts and emails. 2. He’s very passionate about what he does and it shows. 3. He’s patient and informative. My 17yo son happens to be a very talented and experienced fisherman. Since this was his first freshwater charter, he had LOTS of questions for Connor. To his credit, Connor not only answered my son’s questions but offered extra pointers. Also, I my daughter is a special needs child who is deaf and has severe ADD/ADHD. It didn’t phase Connor a bit. 4. His boat was safe, sound, and the safety equipment were readily accessible if ever needed.
So, to wrap this up as one who only writes reviews if the experience was great or if it sucked, I highly recommend Capt. Connor and the KINGSLAYER. He, the boat, and the experience passed all my anal-retentive requirements :-). During my charter we had great conversations, great fishing, and a great family experience. Not only do I highly recommend KINGSLAYER but, without hesitation, I will charter again the next time that I am in Ontario.
I’m not sure where to start! My family and I have literally chartered dozens of fishing trips over the years. Mostly up and...