Lake Michigan Sport Fishing Home Page
Fin Nailer Boat
Fin Nailer Boat

The "Fin Nailer" Boat

  • Large, Comfortable, Clean Boat
  • 12' Beam, Huge Back Deck Fishing Area
  • MI DNR Inspected & Licensed
  • Twin 350ci 280HP GM Inboards
  • Professional Grade Vector Downriggers & Rod Holders
  • Raymarine HSB2 Marine Auto-Pilot
  • Chartplotter, 48NM Radar, Radio
  • Controls at Bridge Helm & Cockpit
  • Great Views of Lake Michigan & the Fishing Action from the Bridge
Fin Nailer Logo See "Fin Nailer Boat"
Capt. Russ Jarvis
I hold a US Coast Guard 100 Gross Ton “Masters License” for Commercial Operations on U.S. Waterways. You, your family, and friends will be Safe with me aboard the Fin Nailer Boat. US Coast Guard 100 Gross Ton “Masters License
I am a Year Around “Full Time” Charter Boat
Captain on Lake Michigan, and Salmon & Steelhead
Fishing Guide on West Michigan Rivers.
My job is to not only help you catch lots of
Fish, but to make sure you have the “Experience you
Hoped for”, and to have a Great Time.

I keep the Fin Nailer Boat, and all my Fishing
Equipment clean & well maintained.
I Captain my Vessel with the Customers
Comfort in mind. I don’t put her in the Trough on
Choppy Seas. I’ll do my best to give you a good ride.

You Don't Need Any Fishing Experience!!

I’m not a Charter Boat Captain that sits on the Bridge and lets the Mate Fish. I do this because I Love to Fish. I’ll be on my feet, on the Back Deck “Working the Program” to help you be Successful. I rarely sit down during a Charter. I’ll work very hard to give you the Best Catch I can.
I provide all the Fishing Equipment. Including Professional Grade Rods, Reels, and Baits. I set all the Rods & Baits, what I call the “Program”. When Fish Strike, we all Yell FISH ON!!! FISH ON!!! Who evers turn it is “Jumps Up & Grabs the Rod” The Battle is on!! Over & Over Again!!
I want you to have the “Fishing Experience” you want. I’ll be glad to work with those who want to learn. Some Clients like to help set out the lines, net fish, and help steer the boat. Others like to sit back enjoy Beautiful Lake Michigan, have me run the Program, watch their friends, and catch fish when it’s their turn. I’ll run the Charter the way you want.
Most importantly I want you to have a Great Day. Bring your food & drinks and let me take care of the rest. I’ll even Filet & Bag your catch at the end of the day.

We Provide Everything You Need & Experience!!
Look How These "First Timers" Did
Kirby Charter, June 26, 2006
Jeff Kirby took his kids & their friends Charter Fishing June 26, 2006 for “Something New to Do”. They had a Great Time. My fishing “Program” is designed to help everyone catch fish, the Beginner or the Old Pro.

For Information on the
"Best Time to Fish"
See the

Fishing Calendar and How We Fish
Patrick Galloway's first Skamania Steelhead
Brooks Galloway took his son Patrick Charter Fishing July 2005. We had lots of bites, and Patrick lost a few fish at first. But after getting schooled a couple times, he did an amazing job boating this fine “Skamania Steelhead”
"Large Group Charters Available"
American Village Builders, Portage, MI
Field Supervisors Fishing Charter, July 13, 2006

Our boats are licensed to carry up to 6 passengers on a Fishing Charter. For larger groups I’ll have other Good Captains help out. For this trip my dock mate Capt.Gary Gamble ran the 2nd boat. The Group met at our Docks in the morning, split up, and we went fishing. There was a small wager for “Big Catch” so they checked each others progress by radio as we fished. Then we all gathered for this Group Photo back at the Docks. These Guys were Great. We had the Best Day!!

Between both boats they boated 38 Fish. Charter Fishing is a good alternative to Golfing or Picnics for Business Outings. I had several Businesses Book Charters for their Employees, and or Customers last year. They were very pleased with the Trip, the Fishing Experience, and the Value. They’ll be back for more.

AVB Charter, July 13, 2006
St. Joseph, MI is a Tremendous Trout & Salmon Fishery and Only a Day Trip from Chicago or Detroit!!
Map
St Joseph, MI
  • Chicago 2 hrs.
  • Indianapolis 2.5 hrs.
  • Detroit 2 hrs.
  • Grand Rapids 1 hr.
  • Kalamazoo 45 min.
  • Elkhart 1 hr.
  • Fort Wayne 1 hr.
Map to Boat
2 Trip Fishing Specials

To maximize your Fishing Time while you’re in the St. Joseph area I offer a 2 Trip Discount. Clients might for example come in Friday Morning, fish the Afternoon. Go to Dinner, back to the Hotel for the night. Then fish again the next morning, and head home Saturday Afternoon.

This Trip makes for an exciting “Mini Vacation” or Business Trip with Clients.
Fishing Specials
* See the Specials Link for more Info*
St. Joseph is one of the Very Best “Whole Season” Fishing Harbors on Lake Michigan !!
You Stand just as good a chance at a Limit Catch May 1, as July 15, or Sept. 22. Fishing is very reliable.
The St. Joseph River empties into Lake Michigan at St. Joseph. The Mich DNR , Ind. DNR, & Sportsman's Clubs plant “Hundreds of Thousands” of King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, & Skamania Steelhead in the River System each year. These fish migrate to Lake Michigan and then mature in the waters around St. Joseph Harbor.
Once mature they migrate back to the River to Spawn. There are plenty of Lake Trout in the area also.
Bottom Line fishing April 15 to Sept. 30 an Angler Aboard Fin Nailer Fishing Charters always stands a realistic opportunity for a Limit Catch!! FISH ON !!!
For more Info on Seasonal Fish Migrations & the Best Time to Catch Fish like these SEE
 Fishing Calendar and How We Fish
Rinehart Charter, July 3, 2006
Catching a Nice Big One!
King (Chinook) Salmon
Mature 4yr old King Salmon are amazing Sport Fish. Their Fast Strong, can run to 30#, and will test the Skill of the Most Experienced Angler. Or give a Beginner or Child a Thrill that will Last a Lifetime.
50/60% of the Fish we Catch are Kings. Skamania Steelhead 20%, Lake Trout 20%, Brown Trout & Coho Salmon round out the rest.
Customers Love the Anticipation of the“Strike”, the Thrill of the “Fight” and The Opportunity to “Land”one of the Most
Exciting Fresh Water Sport Fish on the
Planet!!
For more Info on
the Fishing "Program"
See this Link
Fishing Calendar and How We Fish
Testimonial from an Experienced Fisherman
“Fishing with Capt. Russ is betterthan other Charters because: His boat is in Tip Top Shape. It’s Clean, Large, Very Comfortable, and has all the latest High Tech Gizmos. He uses only the Best Tackle which everyone that Fishes with him gets to use. He simply has the Best Collection of Lures and Equipment on the Lake.
He gets everyone involved. You don’t just sit around and wait. You’re part of the Fishing, whether Setting out the Rods, Driving the boat, or Raiding his Cookie Jar. It doesn’t matter who or how old you are, you’re involved in the Day’s Fishing.
No-One works harder. He wants his Clients to Catch Fish and have Fun doing it. It’s his Passion. I’m an OLD ANGLER myself, and he is Simply the Best.”
Stan Whitaker
Fisherman & Owner of Overhead Door of Kalamazoo, MI says:
For more Client Testimonials
See this Link
Fishing Calendar and How We Fish
Stan Whitaker

Charter Fishing is a Fun
Family or Group Outing

Just wear the appropriate clothing, buy a one-day Fishing License, load your Cooler with your favorite Food & Drinks and come aboard.

Let Capt. Russ Jarvis & Fin Nailer Fishing Charters take care of the rest.

 

Ready.....Set.....
Let's Go Have Fun!!
FISH ON !!!
Flybridge of the Fin Nailer
Capt. Russ Jarvis
“Go Fishing with me we’ll have some Laughs, You will catch Big Fish, I’ll work very hard for you. You’ll Love the “Fin Nailer” she’s a truly special Big Water Fishing Boat. You’ll have lots of Fun, and look forward to going again & again!!”
Captain Russ Jarvis
Fin Nailer Fishing Charters
“EVERY CUSTOMER THAT STEPS ON THE “FIN NAILER” BOAT WILL GET AN HONEST 120% EFFORT FROM US NO MATTER WHAT”
Capt. Russ Jarvis
See This Link for
More Information
Rates, Terms, and What to Bring Along

To Book Your Charter Fishing Trip
Please Call me, I prefer to schedule my charters directly with my Clients to insure I understand your concerns & desires.
Call Capt. Russ Jarvis
(269) 998-1599
We take Visa and Master Card
CaptRuss@finnailer.com
NOTE: I answer my cell phone 24/7,
email is checked less often. For quicker response, please call 269-998-1599.
(NO SOLICITORS PLEASE)
Book Your Fishing Charters Early as Premium Fishing Times and Weekends go Quickly!