Fishing the Great Lakes is always an adventure, but sometimes the best stories come from the people behind the scenes. On a late-summer trip to Grand Haven, Michigan, the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast caught up with Wyatt Merritt, first mate for Captain Phil Retherford of Catch a Bunch Charters. Wyatt isn’t just a hard-working deckhand—he’s also a fisheries and aquatic science student at Grand Valley State University. His unique blend of hands-on charter experience and classroom fisheries knowledge offers a fresh perspective on Great Lakes salmon fishing.

In this blog, we’ll highlight key takeaways from the conversation, share Wyatt’s passion for king salmon and the Great Lakes fishery, and explain how Fish Hawk Electronics helps anglers consistently find success.

A Morning of Grand Haven Kings

The interview took place right on the water while trolling through the Grand Haven channel. The action was fast and furious as big king salmon were hammering short lines, copper rigs, divers, and downriggers.

“As soon as that sun comes up, it’s mass chaos,” Wyatt said. “Fish biting like crazy. And when they’re on those short lines—20, 30, maybe 75 feet out—you feel every head shake, every run. It makes for such a fun fight.”

Late summer and early fall are prime times for salmon in Grand Haven. Cold water pushes in close to shore, staging kings get aggressive, and charter captains run clients through heavy boat traffic near the harbor. Wyatt described the bite as “super angry” fish that were full of energy. These are the kinds of battles that make Great Lakes salmon fishing unforgettable.

The Life of a First Mate

While most clients focus on the excitement of the fight, first mates like Wyatt are the ones making sure everything runs smoothly.

From resetting rods to untangling lines to coaching clients through their first salmon fight, a first mate never stops moving.

“It’s a lot of work,” Wyatt explained. “Always checking leaders, checking knots, re-tying stuff, making sure nothing breaks off. And when a fish takes four lines with it, you’ve got to clean that mess up fast.”

The job requires constant awareness—not just of the gear and spread, but also of boat traffic. Grand Haven is a busy port, and pleasure boaters often run close to planer boards and trolling spreads. Wyatt told the story of having to take a rod all the way to the bow of the boat to free a salmon line tangled under the pulpit. That fish ended up in the net—a true testament to teamwork and hustle.

Mixing Science with Salmon Fishing

Wyatt’s background sets him apart. As a fisheries and aquatic science student, he brings academic insights to the fishing deck.

He explained how studying ecology and thermoclines in class connects directly to the salmon fishery:

“We talked a lot about thermoclines and cold-water fisheries. Salmon are cold-water fish, and finding that thermocline is a big part of this fishery. That’s what the temperature probe helps us out with—it tells us where those conditions are.”

This is where Fish Hawk Electronics plays such a vital role. Tools like the Fish Hawk Lithium Series Probe allows anglers to measure water temperature and trolling speed at depth, not just at the surface. Knowing exactly where the thermocline sets up—whether it’s at 40 feet or 80 feet—means captains can set their spread in the strike zone.

For first mates like Wyatt, that information makes his job easier and far more effective. It’s one thing to put lines in the water—it’s another to put them where the fish actually live.

A Passion for the Fishery

What stood out most in the interview was Wyatt’s genuine love for the Great Lakes fishery.

“I love seeing people catch fish,” he said. “It’s always a good time when clients get excited. Being out here on the water, watching that joy—it makes all the hard work worth it.”

Beyond the fun of charter fishing, Wyatt is also looking ahead. His dream is to work as a fisheries technician, possibly in Alaska or Florida, gaining experience across different fisheries. By combining hands-on experience with scientific study, he’s building a career around conservation, biology, and angling.

That’s important for the future of the Great Lakes. Having young people passionate about both catching fish and protecting fisheries ensures these waters stay productive for generations.

The Charter Experience with Catch a Bunch

Captain Phil Retherford and Catch a Bunch Charters run a laid-back, enjoyable experience for clients, but as Wyatt explained, they always create memorable experiences for their clients.

“Phil stays calm and steady,” Wyatt said, “but I’m the one who gets way more excited about a fish bite. Either way, we always make sure it’s fun out here.”

For anglers booking a trip out of Grand Haven, this balance makes for an unforgettable day. Big kings, fun stories, and a crew that truly loves what they do—that’s what Great Lakes charter fishing is all about.

Why Temperature Probes Matter for Great Lakes Salmon Fishing

One of the biggest lessons from the interview is the importance of technology on the water. King salmon aren’t always scattered randomly—they’re tied to temperature, oxygen, and baitfish location.

A Fish Hawk Electronics System is the most reliable way to:

• Find the thermocline and keep baits where salmon live.
  
  
• Pinpoint trolling speed at depth, avoiding current issues.
  
  
• Maximize efficiency, reducing wasted time with ineffective presentations.
  
  
• Increase fishing success, which is what makes salmon fishing trips memorable.
  
  

For first mates like Wyatt, Fish Hawk Electronics turns guesswork into precision. It keeps trolling spreads productive and ensures customers go home with both smiles and fish.

Looking Ahead

The conversation with Wyatt Merritt shows that the future of Great Lakes fishing is in good hands. With passionate young anglers studying fisheries science and working the decks of charter boats, the next generation is ready to both enjoy and protect these waters.

Whether you’re chasing kings out of Grand Haven, trolling Lake Ontario for salmon, or running walleye trips on Lake Erie, the combination of knowledge, passion, and technology makes all the difference.

At Fish Hawk Electronics, we’re proud to support both the professionals who make a living on the Great Lakes and the weekend warriors who just love to fish. The tools we build—like the Lithium Series Probe—help anglers fish smarter, protect their time on the water, and understand what’s happening below the surface.

Final Thoughts

Fishing with Catch a Bunch Charters offered more than just salmon in the net—it was a reminder of why we fish. The excitement of the bite, the science behind the strategy, and the dedication of people like Wyatt all come together to make the Great Lakes one of the greatest fisheries in the world.