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I dont think there are any bad apples within this group or community but I have seen it for myself when searching for a charter. I'm not criticizing anyone or singling anyone out. What I am saying is, get as much information as possible before you make your decision.

While a charter doesn't cost an arm and a leg, I've know a few people who saved money for several years to be able to afford to go on a charter. They were so excited! They day (weekend) finally came and everyone was so excited. Come Monday we couldn't wait to hear about their trip but instead of all smiles and laughter it was doom and gloom. The boat they were on made the trip so bad that they never went again. Bossed them around like little kids, got mad because thing broke, tangled lines and lost fish. One guy got so sick they had to take him to the hospital and they got in.

Let's face it, we've all had the good with the bad.

I dont care how much it cost to go on a fishing charter or on a hunt, I personally will ask to talk with clients that had good experiences and clients who had bad experiences.

I've been there before! I went on a hunt in Alberta Canada and explained that I wanted to be away from people or civilization. I spent hours calling and talking to the outfitter and thought I had covered everything but the one thing I couldn't control was what the outfitter actually did. My father in law and I flew there and the outfitter picked us up the next morning but we had to stop by his house before we left for the hunt. Strike one! It only got worse. The hunt started Monday morning and we left Tuesday mid day and flew home. I spent $5000.00 plus my father in law spent $3500.00.
Did the same thing in Ontario on a bear hunt.

It doesn't matter what kind of trip a person is going on, getting all the information you can will make a difference both good and bad.

I'm not knocking anyone! For the most part I've lost track of the charter captains and boats on lake Michigan. I will say this. I've seen some real bad things happen during tournaments that I'd never step foot on certain people's boats.

Not recently but I've heard about a few and seen it posted on Facebook.

I agree about doing due diligence when hiring any guide, charter (or car mechanic, dentist or most anything.)  However, it's also different strokes for different folks, most of the time. For instance, on my trip to Oregon last August I handled hiring our charter guides and paying them at the end of the trip. I'd settle up with the captain and then later on, my fishing partner would reimburse me. "How much do I owe you?" my fishing friend asked as we headed back to our condo. I told him and he asked, "Does that include a tip?" Then he continued, "If I'd been paying, I wouldn't have given him nickel." 

I was shocked, first, because my friend isn't a cheap skate, but also I thought the trip was perfect. Great gear, we caught fish all morning, the boat was clean and well maintained. When I asked why my friend just said something just rubbed him the wrong way from the beginning and he never warmed up to him the whole trip. I'd hire the same captain again and give him five stars. Go figure.