Captain Keith of Lie-A-Lot Charters has a great suggestion for anglers hoping to enjoy a Lake Michigan fishing trip.

He says that booking your charter boat early in the season is very important as the summer fishing season is all too short. July and August are very busy months, each with only a few weekend days available. If you have a specific time you would like to go, consider these facts. There are some 60 charter boats in Ludington. By August you will be hard pressed to find one available. All the best charter boats and the best captains will be spoken for. So don't wait.

Check out the latest Lake Michigan Fishing Reports.

HOW TO PICK A GOOD CHARTER BOAT AND CAPTAIN
There are as many different types of boats and captains, as there fisherman. Having fun and catching fish is what it is all about. The secret is to find a charter boat and captain that will suit your needs. Talk to the captain. Is he knowledgeable and fun? Is he someone you could spend eight hours with? Get to know your captain. Here are some of the questions you might ask:

1) How many years have you been a captain?
2) What size charter boat do you have?
3) How many people will it accommodate?
4) Do you have a clean stand up bathroom?
5) Do you have a first mate?
6) What will we catch?
7) What do we have to bring?

• Fishing License - **REQUIRED** - with a trout stamp for all fishermen who have reached their 17th birthday. Daily licenses are available.
• Soft soled shoes - The deck can get wet and slippery. No black or dark colored soles - they make marks.
• Sunglasses and Sun Block - SPF45 if you're a "landlubber."
• Hat, Warm Jacket, Rain Gear - It's generally cool in the morning and believe it or not, it does rain occasionally.
• Food & Beverage - Check with your Captain regarding his policy on alcoholic beverages. Also your Captain maybe able to provide food and bevrage for an addtional fee.
• Camera - To capture the magic moments and to prove you actually caught big fish. If you forget one buy a disposal - they take great pictures.
• Cooler - to take home the catch. Your captain will clean and bag your fish just the way you want them for the trip home. Nothing is better than fresh Michigan fish on the grill that very evening.

Check out LudingtonAreaFishing.com for a list of more charter fishing boats and captains.