📞 (269) 214-6934 ✉ cbard@btc-bci.com South Haven, Michigan · Since the 1950s
South Haven · Lake Michigan

Great Lakes Sport Fishing, Run by a Family That's Fished These Waters for 70 Years

Book a trip aboard the IT-IL-DO or the Red Baron with Captains Jim & Chad Bard — USCG-licensed charter captains chasing King Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout, Brown Trout and Coho out of the Port of South Haven.

2Charter Boats
70+ yrsFamily on the Water
5Species Targeted
USCGLicensed Captains
Angler fighting a fish at sunset on Lake Michigan
Angler holding a Lake Michigan steelhead
Our Story

Four Generations on Lake Michigan

Brothers Captains Jim and Chad Bard are grandsons of a commercial fisherman and grew up fishing Lake Michigan out of the Port of South Haven. Their grandfather commercially fished for whitefish and chub through the 1950s and ’60s, and their father and uncles turned to salmon fishing and tournament competition from Michigan City to Ludington.

Jim and Chad — along with several family members — have won and placed in tournaments for more than 30 years and remain well recognized on the tournament trail today. Their parents still live along the Black River in South Haven, keeping the family's ties to the lake as strong as ever.

We run two fully equipped charter boats and welcome individuals, families, executive outings and corporate groups — with additional boats available for larger parties.

Our Home Port & Directions
The Fleet

Two Boats, One Family, Every Trip Guided by Experience

IT-IL-DO, a 33 foot Tiara Sportsfisherman Flybridge

IT-IL-DO

33’ Tiara Sportsfisherman Flybridge

  • Twin 350 engines
  • Large cockpit
  • Covered flying bridge
  • Large, clean enclosed head
  • State inspected & licensed
  • Garmin GPS & radar
  • Two VHF marine radios
  • Color video fish finder
  • Electric downriggers
The Red Baron, a 30 foot Cherokee Charter Edition

Red Baron

30’ Cherokee Charter Edition

  • Built for Great Lakes charter fishing
  • Garmin GPS & radar
  • Two VHF marine radios
  • Color video fish finder
  • Water temperature indicator & direction finder
  • Electric downriggers
  • New rods, reels & Pursuit rod holders
  • Thousands of proven lures
Why Fish With Us

Built on Family, Backed by Experience

USCG Licensed

Every trip is run by a United States Coast Guard licensed charter boat captain.

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Fully Equipped

GPS, radar, marine radios, fish finders and electric downriggers on both boats.

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Tournament Proven

30+ years of tournament wins and placements from Michigan City to Ludington.

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Family Owned

Four generations on the water — individuals, families and corporate groups welcome.

Ready to Get on the Water?

Trips fill up in advance — call, email or book online to reserve your date.

Book Your Trip Now

Or call Captain Chad directly at (269) 214-6934