SHOWTIME CHARTERS

Enjoy successful charter fishing in beautiful Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City.

Or Click to Call Today 231-794-1033

Cam and Brian are the best! Great crew and a fun time.

Dave W.
7/26/2015

Had a great time fishing this morning with Cam and Jonny! We all got a catch. Thanks for a wonderful morning.

Nichole K.
7/02/2018

Absolutely the BEST in all of Northern Michigan! You're sure to have a great time on one of the nicest fishing boats in the area!

Leslie I.
6/19/2014
Expert and great captain

Rick N.
6/12/2019

This was my first charter experience and it was awesome! You couldn't ask for more with all of their knowledge and equipment. The boat was super clean. The captain and first mate are top notch! If you get a chance or want to set up a charter.....give Captain Cam a call! You won't be disappointed. COHO!!!!!!

Craig M.
9/17/2019

An evening that I will never forget. Cam and Johnny are the best. A family outing with the highlight being my 93 year old Mom caught a 9 lbs lake trout. I will cherish the memory forever. Thanks Showtime. We will be back.

John G.
6/28/2017
This was absolutely the most fun we have had in years. Captain Cam and first mate Brad were so patient with us "old folks" plus getting the limit including a ten pounder didn't hurt. We are going again in two weeks to look for salmon although it will be a little early in the season. You can't miss with Showtime.

Jacki C.
7/26/2014

This was our 12th year fishing with Cam. What a beautiful night out on the water, catching 4 lake trout wasn't bad either! Even caught a 20 pounder!
I would highly recommend them - Showtime is the best!

Jennifer M.
8/14/2017

Had a great time fishing with Showtime. Had fun talking and joking with the crew and we caught our limit of Lake Trout. The boat was very nice. I certainly would reccomend this charter.

Charles S.
7/31/2022
Captain Cam and Deckhand Johnny we’re great. Our limit was 8 but we only caught 5. Still it was a good time.

Ron M.
7/30/2018

What a great time we had! Showtime Fishing, Captain and First Mate were professional, patient, and fun. Well worth the fee.

Mike K.
8/22/2018

Absolutely a class act. This was my first experience with a charter trip. I would 100% recommend Cam and Johnny. I will positively be back for a trip again. Thank you gentlemen

Jimi W.
8/18/2018
Super awesome trip! Captain Cam knew right where the fish were! First mate Johnny was fantastic as well. Book these guys and you won't be disappointed.

Brent H.
8/09/2016

Fishing with Captain Cam and mate John was perfect. I have fished with Cam over many years and I always look forward to seeing him and having him put us on fish.
Gorgeous morning and three salmon in the box, 22, 18 and 18 pounds. Can't go wrong if you want to fish West Grand Traverse Bay with an experienced and intelligent captain. Boat is roomy and always very clean. Equipment is always first rate. No boat ramps to deal with as the Showtime is ready to go from its dock location.
Dr. Tom

ploughshares
9/09/2019

Captain Cam and 1st mate Johnny are great. We had a wonderful morning fishing with them. I highly recommend Showtime fishing charters. Lots of fun, great boat, did a great job. Will be fishing with these guys again!!

Rob B.
8/07/2018
My family and I had a wonderful time fishing with Cam and Johnny. My 2 son’s absolutely loved the experience. We look forward to doing it again. Cam and Johnny do a fantastic job!! It was the highlight of our trip to Traverse City this year.

Manal M.
8/11/2018

We had such a great morning fishing with Cam and Johnny! All 5 of us caught fish and had a blast!!

Megan M.
8/15/2018

My wife and I recently went fishing for the first time. The weather was perfect, short-sleeve warm. The location, Traverse City Michigan, was perfect, scenic and picturesque. The water, Traverse Bay, was flat and quiet. The fish were biting; we caught our limit.
But the real highlight of our first fishing adventure was Showtime Charter, Captain Cam and First Mate Johnny. These guys were patient, informative, and focused on making sure we were having a good time and were learning how to fish. The boat and equipment are high quality, high tech, and very well maintained.
Our fishing trip started at 7AM. Showtime has a premium slip in the West Bay marina that is close to shore and easy to find. After a short, high speed run out to Power Island, Cam and Johnny got the gear set up and within minutes my wife caught her first fish, a 5 pound lake trout. Over the next three hours, we caught our limit. Yes some got away, but that only contributed to our education.
Cam generously shared information on how fishing in the bay differs from season to season, how to see the change in water depth in the waters' color bands, as well as details on the history of the peninsulas that border the bays.
Back on shore, Cam and Johnny cleaned and filleted our fish which we took home in our cooler and sautéed for dinner the next day.
We recommend Showtime for anyone who appreciates a professional and personable crew. We'll be back this September for salmon fishing.

Paul D.
6/20/2017
Great Captain that put us on the fish and great conversation!

Ash J.
9/18/2019

We had a great day fishing. We hit limit easily. Captain Cam and John are excellent. They even gave us a great recommendation for a restaurant that cooked our catch. Outstanding!

Michael F.
6/15/2018

Got selected to attend a Veterans fishing trip a few years ago. Show time was the charter, using two of their boats. Followed by a feast at Herringtons. Absolutely awesome trip.
Now I live in the area and have a boat to chase these fish...Capt Cam is quick to respond with my questions about fishing the Bay, but as any fisherman, keeps his secrets secret. Thanks again Capt. Trips like that have more impact than you’ll ever know. 🙏🏻

Jeff E.
8/28/2019
We had a fabulous evening fishing! It was relaxing, exciting and fun. What a great crew and captain!

Kathy R.
8/21/2018

SO MUCH FUN!!!!!! Captain Cam & First Mate Johnny are the BEST!!! Cam even posted a pic of my sister & I with a big catch!! Great 40th Anniversary/60th Birthday I will never forget!!! We will definitely be back!!!

Susan B.
9/03/2017

We met Captain Cam and his first mate John at 5 pm we promptly went out to our fishing spots and got right to fishing. Captain Cam made us feel like family, and John was so helpful when reeling in the trout we caught. We were out for 4 hours and got some great action on the rods. We are looking forward to going back when the Salmon run in September. The trip only holds 6 people so we had a great group and our hosts were just wonderful. I would highly recommend Cam and John as your go-to Charter while in Traverse City. Can't wait to go back! …

James M.
8/01/2018
Absolute amazing Charter! Will recommend to everyone! Can't wait to do it again!

Pierce G.
6/20/2014

Absolutely fantastic, I enjoyed every minute on the boat. The captain and first mate were awesome 5� s

Ariana B.
7/26/2018

We met Captain Cam and First Mate John at 6:00 am for our family's fishing trip. It was a wonderful, clean boat. Cam and John did a wonderful job with the kids in our family. My nephew is now hooked on fishing.

Daisy555NY
8/31/2019

Charter Fishing Cost

Up to 6 Fishermen $600

40 Years of Lake Michigan Experience
Morning or Afternoon Trips
Large Boat with Cabin
Twin 454 Inboard Engines
Room to Move About
On Board Restroom Facility
Computer Fish Finding
All Tackle Provided
Experienced First Mate
Catch Cleaned & Bagged

Book Online Today

Captain Johnny & Junior Captain Greyson

Johnny Barlow comes to us from the South. You’ll hear it in his twang! He spent his youth fishing the lakes in Northern GA, and the Gulf Coast in Panama City Florida. As a young man, Johnny started working for a large printing company, International Paper. With tenacity and grit, Johnny put in 23+ years at International Paper, leaving as a successful Project Manager. Northern Michigan was calling Johnny’s wife Megan, home. It just so happens that Megan, is Captain Cam’s daughter! They made the move, in tow with their son Greyson, the Junior Captain. Johnny quickly became the missing link on the Showtime, and joined the team as the First Mate. Family is always first. One day, Johnny will pilot the Showtime, keeping her in the family. Who knows, maybe even Greyson will be promoted to THE Captain!

From Captain Cam: It’s exciting for me to have my son-in-law, Johnny, aboard the Showtime, as her new Captain. Having a knowledgeable angler always make the charter fishing experience better for all. It’s special to me, when my guest anglers can see and feel the great duo Johnny and I have become. I know these waters like the back of my hand. It gives me great pride to pass this on to Johnny. My best trout spots, the different banks, and deep drop offs.

Johnny is also a great teacher. He is wonderful with my young anglers. Putting a young boy on his first trout or salmon is his specialty! I know everyone who boards the Showtime will enjoy having Johnny as part of this team, as much as I do. Maybe even Greyson one day!

Retired Captain

For 40 years Cam Garst has captained Great Lakes fishing charters. He has not only developed a unique sense of how to find the trophy fish, he has also honed the ability to make the charter fishing experience memorable no matter what the fishing conditions are like. His experience with the sometimes tricky Lake Michigan waters creates a safe and exciting fishing adventure.

Captain Garst started Showtime Charters in 1982 with a 27′ Chris Craft boat. A year later he quit his job in newspaper management to turn his fishing passion into his full-time occupation. Since then Cam has directed the growth of his company to become Traverse City’s most successful charter boat operation.

You’ll see him at the helm of his 31′ Tiara fishing craft. His long list of repeat clients is a testament to the adventures experienced at the hands of Captain Garst.

“Every trip is fun and exciting,” says Garst. “The clients are different, the weather changes and the catch varies. I get to watch an eight-year old land his first ever fish, then get excited as older couples just enjoy the pleasure of fishing this magnificent Great Lake. It’s a thrill I’ll never take for granted,” Garst adds.

Although retired now, you will see me time to time on the Showtime running trips. Its tough to stay away from something you love!

Frequently Asked Questions

Alcohol?

Beer is fine, however liquor is discouraged.

Why should we fish with Showtime?

I get asked this question sometimes, so let me answer it here. I have been fishing West Bay since 1978, professionally since 1982. We have over 80% repeat clients, some for over 20 years. Fishing professionally is all we do, we know where the active schools of fish are because we are out there nearly every day. When you fish with Showtime you will find our boats are clean and meticulously maintained, our equipment is top shelf, and you will always fish with Cam. We do not hire part time captains. You will always fish with the owner.

When we have completed our fishing for the day and returned to the marina, we will take your catch to our private cleaning station. After some pictures, your catch is cleaned, rinsed with fresh water and put in freezer bags. Your filets are never rinsed with nasty marina water. We all know what the ducks and geese do in the marina water!

West Grand Traverse Bay is not only beautiful, but very protected. It is extremely rare for these waters to be rough. Big waves can ruin a fishing trip!

Do I need a fishing license?

Yes, but they are very inexpensive. You will need to purchase one for everyone over the age of 17. You must have at least a 24-hour license prior to fishing with Showtime. Licenses are available through the Michigan DNR website and cost $10 for one day or $26 for the year. Click here to purchase a license.

What should we bring?

I always tell my anglers to bring whatever they want to eat, drink, or wear! You will want to dress for the weather, dress in layers. Wear soft soled, clean shoes and don’t forget sun screen and sun glasses. You will need a cooler to transport your fillets. Your captain and mate will clean your catch free of charge.

Leaving the dock.

You need to be on time, especially for morning trips during Salmon season. The very best times for our Salmon are dawn and dusk.

Do I need to leave a deposit to hold a charter?

I routinely take a credit card number to hold a date for a charter. This guarantees your group the boat for that date. The card is NOT charged except for a no show. Charters can be cancelled within 1 week with no charge.

How do I pay for the trip?

Payment for a charter is expected after the fish are cleaned. Although we are able to accept most credit cards, Venmo, checks or cash is the preferred method of payment.

Contact Us To Schedule Your Charter!

Find Showtime

Showtime Charters is easy to find as we are located on the West side of West Grand Traverse Bay, only 2 miles from downtown Traverse city.

GPS : N 44°47.419′ W 85°38.119′

12935 S. West Bay Shore Dr. 49684

From the intersection of M72 West & M22 North, drive North on M22 for 1 mile. On the right you will see the Centerpointe office building. This is a 4 story brown building right at the marina. You can park in the main parking lot on the upper level of the office building. Stairway to the marina level is in the SE corner of the parking lot.

Please do not park in the lower level.

As you look toward the water you will notice a large flag pole (taller than the building), the Showtime is 100 yards straight east in slip 17.