Meet the Captain
I believe when you hire a skipper, it is good to know with whom you are dealing with and what their background is. After all, you will be stuck with me on a boat for 9 hours.
Your Captain was born in Erie, PA in 1965. I have logged over 30 years of open water trolling experience on Lake Erie, Ontario, Michigan and Huron. I started trolling in Lake Erie in 1980 near the beginning of the highly successful Coho Salmon in Erie, PA and have been trolling around ever since. I have seen the start and end to many things on Lake Erie.
I obtained my captains license in 1987 and started my charter career in 1988. My service did very well after just a couple short years and I was booking 80 to 100 trips per season in just a short time.
Eventually, I decided to take over the family roofing business and operate a part time charter service. However, I had to retire from the charter business as I grew the roofing company from 10 employees to 50 employees and started my family. In 1997, I opted to start another roofing company in New Castle PA which had as many as 40 employees. However, I missed the charter business although I continued to fish during these years.
After taking a few years off from the charter business, I decided to start my business again and sold my New Castle Company. Along the way, I re-committed my life to Jesus Christ, married and found time to have 4 children and a step child. I am very proud of my wife and children. They help keep me on that straight path and they remind me what life is truly about.I am a very competitive person. I love to beat the fish and find it very rewarding to provide my customers a successful day on the water. Success in the late 80’s and 90’s was a box full of fish; I guess that was just my youth which created that attitude. Now, a successful day on the water for me and my clients is first being comfortable, safe and having a good experience. The experience and the time well spent can more that offset a tough day on the water because “there will be tough days”, no matter how good I am or any Captain is. It is often how you handle those days that separate Captains. However, the plan is still to go for that box full of fish and my motto “Leave No Fish Behind” is proof. Vision Quest is one of the most successful fishing operations in operation today.
I love to fish tournaments and in 2005 I started to fish these more regularly. Success was not fast at first because we often traveled to foreign waters to compete and with little practice time. It was extremely hard to dial in the fish on another Lake. However, Team Vision Quest has compiled an impressive record over the years with over 50 top 10 finishes to date since 2003. Many of these have came since 2005 when I made a commitment to tournament fishing and many more will hopefully follow. This is also a testament to my competitive nature and desire to be successful. In 2007 and 2008, Team V.Q. finished in the top 10 in 22 out of 27 events that we participated in. Not many fishing operations can relate to that kind of success.
I have been associated with several fishing product companies over the years as a member of their Pro-Staff and am involved with lure design. It seems I am always trying to find that “perfect” lure or fishing program. Currently. I am proud to be associated with: Dreamweaver Lures, Big Jon Sports Equipment, A-TOM-MIK Trolling Flies and Ridge Back Rattler.
I consider myself a well rounded skipper and the most overall experienced Captain in Erie, PA. Why? Because I fish from April to December and do not specialize in one species. I fish every month for all species and have learned much and have gained vast experience over the years. I am currently the only Captain in our area that fishes this type of schedule and can put my customers on fish during any given month.
Currently, I own (2) fishing boats that are well maintained, clean and equipped with professional tackle. I do not skimp when it comes to tackle or equipment. Both boats are made by Tiara. Tiara has the reputation for making the best fishing boats on the Great Lakes and I would have to agree. My latest addition, the 3600 Open is the gem of the charter fleet in Erie, PA. I use the 2700 open to travel and fish tournaments but she is a fine charter boat for 1 to 4 passengers and crew. The 3600 is designed more for 4 to 6 passengers or those looking to experience the ultimate big boat fishing experience.
I have also served as a director on a local charter captain organization, fishing club and am current president of the Erie Pennsylvania Sport Fishing Association. An association I initiated in 2006 to improve and protect the fishery in Erie, PA.
This brief autobiography should help you know your Captain in a better manner. I look forward to meeting you at the dock.
Captain Pete Alex
Why Vision Quest Sport Fishing Charters?
First, I would like to thank you for taking time to read this and considering Vision Quest as your charter boat choice.
Secondly, let me brief you on our fish catching/customer philosophy. Catching fish is like any other job in life, there are those who excel and those who don’t in their fields. We excel because of a self determination to be the best in our line of work. The effort given by the Captains and crew to produce fish day in and day out is one of 100% effort. Backed by the 40 plus years of combined experience, knowledge and equipment, fish catching becomes easier for us. This in turn benefits you, the customer as the recipient of these efforts. The customer, however, comes first. We try to see that all customers are comfortable, safe, and enjoy themselves. Once we feel conditions are safe and customers are comfortable, “we go to work” to try to catch them the most fish we can within that given period of time. That is what you, the customer, are paying for.
Thirdly, let me brief you on our credentials. The Vision Quest is owned and operated by myself, a fully insured and licensed captain with over 28 years of Great Lake water experience. I am on the field staff of national tackle manufacturing companies such as Ridge Back Rattler, BIG JON Power Sports Equipment, DREAMWEAVER Lures, GAMMA Fishing Lines and A-TOM-MIK Flies. Some of the Quests highlights over the years include trolling up a six man limit of walleyes in two hours (36), boating (138) smallmouth bass in four hours of trolling, landing (2,897) fish in (89) trips, hooking up (90) and landing (65) lake trout on Lake Erie in nine hours, hooking up (73) and landing (35) salmon & trout in 6 hours. Team Vision Quest has also won and placed in numerous Great Lakes Fishing Tournaments in Pennsylvania, New York and Canada. Since 2006, we have placed in the top 10 over 40 times which is a PROVEN testament to our level of competitiveness and skill.
Thanks again for considering Vision Quest charters, hope to hear from you…---Captain Pete Alex
Booking That Charter
Before deciding on that preferred date, keep two things in mind. The first thing is that weekends are the preferred – the first to go dates and of course, limited. Secondly, each specie has a particular time when the fishing is better. With this in mind, one should book a charter in advance, a year is not too far.
When choosing a date, a deposit of $150.00 will reserve this date. This deposit is refundable upon bad weather or an extreme circumstance. A two week cancellation notice is the least notice that is accepted unless of course the weather is bad.
You will be responsible for bringing the proper clothing, footwear, food, beverage, etc. Upon request, food and beverage can be provided at a reasonable cost along with taxidermy service and videotaping.
Upon receipt of your deposit, a confirmation letter & map is sent about one month prior informing you of the date, time of departure, and meeting location of your charter. By planning ahead, you’ll improve your chances for a preferred date and successful outing.
If tournament fishing excites you, there are limited days available for these events. The Vision Quest visits several different Ports over the season to compete in salmon & trout tournaments. Call Captain Pete for more details if interested.
What to expect with your adventure:
Hard work and results
The catch will be cleaned and bagged
You will be treated courteously and with respect
We encourage your participation with us
Vision Quest IV 2700 Tiara-10ft. Beam (29ft. length overall) 4 person Max.
| "Full Day" Experience |
1-4 people |
9 hour trip
Dock-to-Dock |
$600.00 |
"Full Day" Experience
April and November |
1-4 people |
8 hour trip
Dock-to-Dock |
$500.00 |
Vision Quest V 3600 Tiara-14ft. Beam (39ft. length overall) 6 person Max.
| "Full Day" Experience |
1-6 people |
9 hour trip
Dock-to-Dock |
$750.00 |
"Full Day" Experience
April and November |
1-6 people |
8 hour trip
Dock-to-Dock |
$650.00 |
Multiple boat charters are available upon request. |
Each angler is required to bring... |
Plenty of warm clothes
Soft soled shoes, boots, or sneakers. (NO work boots allowed)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Camera - video camera
Cooler to transport fish home in
Proper fishing license(inlcuding Lake Erie Permit in PA)
Lunch and beverages |
| ***A $150.00 deposit is required. Deposits will be refunded ONLY if the charter is cancelled 14 days or earlier than scheduled date. |
| ***We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express |
Instructional Service 2013 Rates
Welcome to our Fishing Techniques Instruction Service
Please note that this service is provided year round to anyone who has the ambition to become a better fishermen.
We can teach you the following techniques:
Downriggers
Slider Fishing
Dipsy Divers
Slide Divers
Lead Core
Wire Line
Planer Boards
Inline Planers
Drop Weights
Inline Weights
an much more...
Learn which types of lures to use and in what conditions
See what lures and colors the pro's use and in what conditions they work best. A valuable experience, well worth your investment. This service is recommended for the novice as well as the experienced. We GUARANTEE you will leave this lesson and be better at the sport of fishing.
Includes 4 hours of intense fishing education and instruction., Cost is $150.00 per person.
*Minimum of two people required. If you do not have a second person we may be able to match you with another client.
We can provide the educational beginnings to turn novice beginners into knowledgeable fishermen
Resource Center
Your one stop location for all your fishing needs, reports, map, updates and much, much more.
Non-Profit Fishing Clubs
The EPSFA was formed to educate, enhance, and protect the sport fishing in Pennsylvania, especially in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and its tributaries.
Fishing Equipment
Great Lakes Tackle Shop offers a wide selection of fishing supplies. Shipping is now available to ALL 50 United States and Canada.
