Gold Coast Charter Service, Inc.

09/16/2024

Michigan Sportsmen. Please read this.

I am writing to share some information that should be of concern to all of those in Michigan that value our natural resources. Before I start, this message has political overtones and I want to emphasize that the kind of things I am going to share happen in both parties. However, the current situation lies with the Democratic administration starting right at the top of the ticket.

In way of background, you should know that sports men and women , through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses, fund a huge part of the DNR budget. We pay for the management of the fisheries and game. We pay for the biologists and enforcement officers. We pay to put the salmon, trout and walleye in Michigan's share of the Grat Lakes. None of these activities should fall within the domain of politicians, activists, donors or friends of the administration. Some smaller communities would probably go under if not for the money sportsmen spend on food, gas and lodging when they come to recreate. My own customers combine to spend thousands over the summer on food, gas and lodging that support the Frankfort community where I operate my charter fishing business.

Such an important resource should be managed by professionals. However, our governor appointed a former judge and Michigan Lottery director to run the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This person is not a biologist, zoologist, ichthyologist or any othe "ologist" that I know of. He has a law degree from the University of Detroit and used to fish with his grandfather on Lake Gogebic. Wouldn't a more appropriate selection have been a credentialed person with experience in natural tresources management? How about someone from MSU's nationally regarded academic programs?

Other than rewarding an apparent friend / donor, why would the former lottery director be considered for such an important job. This appointment is an affront to the outdoor recreational community of Michigan.

But, there is more. Another democratic operative in Lansing has introduced legislation that would expand commercial net fishing to Michigan's Great Lakes beyond the limits of Saginaw Bay where it is now allowed. House Bill 5108 has been introduced by Ann Arbor democrat Jason Morgan. Can you guess what special interest group is behind this move?

I urge those of you who are Michigan residents to oppose this legislation and keep all of this in mind when it comes time to vote in November.

08/16/2024

Fantastic fishing this past week in Frankfort. Pictured is a four person limit catch of Coho and King salmon.

05/14/2024

Politics and sportfishing in Michigan

I am writing to share some information that should be important for all of those who value the natural resources of the State of Michigan. Before I start, this message has political overtones and I want to emphasize that what I am talking about happens in both political parties. The problems I am about to share however, lie with the Democratic administration starting right at the top of the ticket.

In way background, you should know that the sports men and women, through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses, fund the majority of game and fish management in the EEastern Michigan Cross Country and Track & Field We pay to rear the fish that go in the lake, the biologists that do the research and management of game and fish. These activities should not fall within the domain politicians, uninformed activists, or friends or those who are owed a job by someone in the administration. Fishing and hunting activities are a billion dollar part of Michigan's economy. Some smaller communities would not continue to exist without the money spent on gas, lodging, restaurants and other services sports My charter fishing business,based in Frankfort, brings thousands of dollars to town each summer.

Such an important resource should be managed by professionals. However, our governor recently appointed the former lottery director to run the Michigan Department of Natural resources. This person is not a biologist, zoologist, ichthyologist or any other "ologist" that I know of. This is BAD news for those who enjoy Michigan's natural resources and the worst kind of political arrogance.

As I mentioned, it is the fisherman and hunters that pay for management of the resources overseen by the DNR. Despite this, democratic operatives want to expand the ability of commercial operators to previously unavailable areas of Michigan's great lakes to the potential destruction of the sport fishing industry. To this end, House Bill 5108 has recently been sponsored by Ann Arbor Democrat Jason Morgan to expand commercial fishing, which has been previously limited to Saginaw Bay.

I urge all of my friends and customers to keep this information in mind when it comes time to vote in November.

05/13/2024

Politics and Sport Fishing in Michigan

I am writing to share some information that should be of concern for all of those who value the natural resources of the State of Michigan. Before I start, this message has political overtones and I want to emphasize that what I am talking about happens in both parties. However, the current problems lie with the Democratic administration starting right at the top of the ticket.

In way background, you should know that the sports men and women, through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses, fund the majority of game and fish management in the state. We pay to rear the fish that go in the lake, the biologists that do the research, management of game and fish and the conservation officers who enforce regulations. None of these activities should fall within the domain of politicians, activists, donors or friends of those who are owed a job by someone in the administration. Fishing and hunting activities are a billion dollar part of Michigan's economy. Some smaller communities would not continue to exist without the money spent on lodging, gas, restaurants and other services sports men and women buy when they come to town. My charter fishing business alone brings thousands of dollars to the Frankfort local economy where my business is located.

Such an important resource should be managed by professionals. However, our governor recently appointed a former judge and more recently, director of the Michigan Lottery to run the Michigan Department of Natural resources. This person is not a biologist, zoologist, ichthyologist or any other "ologist" that I know of. Wouldn't a more appropriate selection have been a person with training and years of experience in natural resource management? Other than rewarding an apparent friend or donor, why in the world would the lottery director be considered for this important position? The governor's choice is BAD news for those who enjoy Michigan's natural resources and the worst kind of political arrogance.

Other democratic operatives want to expand the ability of commercial operators to use nets in previously unavailable areas of Michigan's great lakes to the potential destruction of the sport fishing industry. To this end, House Bill 5108 has recently been sponsored by Ann Arbor Democrat Jason Morgan to expand commercial fishing, which has been previously limited to Saginaw Bay.

I urge those of you who use Michigan's out door resources to actively oppose HB 5108 and keep in mind the information I have shared when it comes time to vote in November.

05/11/2024

Picture of customer and fish is for attention. This is an important topic. Please read.

Hello Facebook Freinds and customers.

I am writing to share some information that I consider important to those of you who value the natural resources of the State of Michigan. Before I start, this message has political overtones and I want to emphasize that what I am talking about happens in both political parties. However, this specific problem lies with the Democratic party starting at the very top of the ticket.

In way of background, you should know that the sports men and women , through the purchase of licenses, fund the majority of game and fish mangement in this state, These activities should not fall within the domain of politicians, activists or friends of the administration that need a job. Fishing and hunting activities are a billion dollar part of Michigan's economy. Some rural communities would not continue to exist without the tourist money of hunters and fishermen that is spent for motels, restaurants or other services. My own charter fishing business, located in Frankfort, brings thousands of dollars to town each summer.

Such an important resource should be managed by professionals. However, our governor, recently appointed the former lottery director to run the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources. This person is not a biologist, zoologist, icthyologist or any other "Ologist" that I know of.

This is BAD news for those in Michigan that enjoy our natural resources and is the worst type of political arrogance.

As I mentioned, it is the recreational sports men who pay for the management of Michigan's natural tresources. Despite this, democratic operatives want to expand dramatically the areras in which commercial fisherman can operate in Michigan's great lakes to the potential destruction of the sport fishing industry. House Bill 5108 has recently been sponsored by Ann Arbor Democrat Jason Morgan to significantly expand the range of commercial fishing which has previously been limited to Saginaw Bay.

I urge all of my friends and customers to keep this in mind when it comes time to vote in November and please oppose HB 5108.

05/01/2024

12/10/2023

Hello Eastern Michigan Facebook friends. I'm posting this photo of Ron Fernades and me to Mark Ron's recent passing. Information about his service can be found with the link below.
http://mimemorial.com/obituarires/F/Ronald%20Michael%20Fernandes

02/20/2020

This is a picture of our crew killing some time at the dock due to a Fog Delay for the Benzie Frenzy fishing tournament last summer. We are anxiously awaiting spring and the upcoming fishing season. We will have new docks installed due to the high water level and ice damage.