Meet Capt. Geoff Eicholtz

Hook And Leader Sportfishing is owned and operated by Capt. Geoff and his wife Laurie. Capt. Geoff’s excitement for fishing the Great Lakes and his love of sharing that passion goes into each trip. Together, their goal is to treat clients as family and to make each trip a lifelong memory.

About Captain Geoff

Geoff Eicholtz is licensed by the United States Coast Guard. He has a 25 ton Master classification license as well as a towing endorsement. Geoff is also a career firefighter/paramedic. He is licensed in both Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. He served as a HazMat Technician for 3 years, Ice Water Rescue Technician and is a State of Michigan Fire Instructor.

Geoff was raised in Trenton Michigan which is located on the shores of Lake Erie and the Detroit River. He always had a love for walleye fishing and has fished all over the Great Lakes. As High School ended, his calling to serve others came in the form of firefighting. He has always had a desire to serve and help others in their times of need. This has been recognized through multiple departmental citations throughout his 19 years in the fire service.

As Geoff’s career has started to reach its latter years, his love of fishing has grown. Hook And Leader Sportfishing is now his outlet to serve and teach others.

Detroit River Spring Run

As soon as the ice flows are gone (usually late March), the spring run begins. This is when Hook And Leader Sportfishing starts our season. We dock out of Libra Marina, in Wyandotte Michigan. This marina is mid river and lends itself to giving you full access of the river.

Each spring millions of walleyes migrate into the Detroit river to spawn. This migration is being fed by walleye from Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair to the north and Lake Erie to the South. The walleye funnel into the 30-mile-long Detroit River. From Ice out until the beginning of June these Walleye filter in and out of the river and make for some of the fastest paced fishing anywhere in the world.

The fishing we do in the river is almost exclusively vertical jigging. You will be using tournament grade rods, reels, tackle and baits. Fighting these fish on ultra-sensitive equipment gives our clients an opportunity to really fight a trophy walleye.

The hot fishing doesn’t stop at just walleye. Each spring massive Smallmouth bass, Musky, Sturgeon, Steelhead, Salmon and White bass are caught on the same tackle you will be using.

Lake Erie

In early June we move down to the port of Bolles Harbor. This is on the shore of Lake Eries Western Basin. We will follow the walleye and perch throughout the summer and fall all the way until the ice returns.

We utilize the latest in trolling techniques, baits, and tournament grade equipment for targeting big Walleye, hard fighting Smallmouth bass, beautiful Steelhead, and delicious Jumbo yellow perch. We encourage our anglers to handle rods, set and reset lines, and be as interactive as you wish. Not only is it a lifetime experience for most, but we feel it is a fun learning experience for everyone on board, especially young anglers.

The Boat

TRITON 216 Fishunter

ENGINES:

  • 300HP Mercury Pro XS
  • 9.9HP Mercury Pro Kicker

Electronics:

  • Lowrance 12” HDS-Live
  • Lowrance 9” HDS-Live
  • 3D Structure scan side and Down Imaging
  • Navionics and Lowrance Charts

Trolling Motors:

  • Minnkota Ulterra 112 72” I-Pilot
  • Minnkota RT 160 Engine mount

SEATING:

  • 2- Smooth Move Ultra Garelick swivel seats
  • 2-Cushion and Grab rail Full back

SAFETY:

  • Fully USCG, MDNR, ODNR and Canadian MNR compliant
  • Cobra Marine HH600 Marine Radio with GPS
  • Fire and Medical onboard systems exceed USCG compliance
  • USCG inspected Type I lifejackets and throwables

SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT FOR SUCCESS

The Triton 216 Fishunter is a tournament quality boat built for big water and big runs. This 22’ fiberglass beast has a Dry-Chine hull built to deflect water outwards of the cockpit and helps keep your ride dry and comfortable all day.

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