Bay Fishing Boats

A Chant encounter: day in boat with world traveler-fishing guide Trevor Chant ...

"Did you guys bring your waterproofs?" Trevor Chant asks in his distinctive British accent as we load our gear into the boat for a day on Lake of the Woods.

That would be British for raingear. And yes, we had our waterproofs.

Fortunately, we wouldn't need them quite as much as it appeared we might early in the day.

We wouldn't lack for fish, either.

An independent fishing and hunting guide who works for several camps in Nestor Falls, a tourist Mecca about an hour north of the Minnesota border, Chant's career path has taken him from his hometown of Weymouth, Dorset, in the south of England and across the world.

Name a place, and he's probably worked or traveled there: Moscow, Bulgaria, Australia, South Africa, Armenia, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia (before it became the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992), all of the western European countries.

And yes, Nestor Falls.

"It worked out OK," Chant, 46, said. "I love it up here."

More on that later.

Joining me on this Lake of the Woods excursion were Scott Jensen, 51, Minneapolis, and Pete Howard, 53, Stillwater, Minn. We've logged more than a few hours in the boat together over the years, the three of us, but it had been awhile.

After two days fishing Crow Lake, a gin-clear body of water known for its muskies, smallmouth bass and lake trout, we were anxious to test the waters of Lake of the Woods, located just across the highway, for some walleyes.

Rest assured, we were told, Chant would put us on fish.

"You're going to love fishing with Trevor," said Patty Synenko, who with her husband, Val (short for Valentin), owns and operates Black Bear Camp on Crow Lake, our home base for this adventure. "He rocks at walleye fishing and shore lunch."

Little wonder, then, that Chant is in the boat most every day from the time walleye season opens in mid-May until he starts guiding bow hunters for deer in September.

"It makes life a lot easier when you're out here every day," Chant said.

The accent probably helps, too, he admits with a smile.

On the move

Early in the season, the shallower waters of Stevens and Sabaskong bays near Nestor Falls hold ample numbers of walleyes. But as water temperatures rise, Chant said, the walleyes move to the numerous deepwater reefs that make the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods so attractive to fish and anglers alike.

Bay Boat Search - Sea Hunt? - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing ...

I'm in the process of looking for a bay boat in the 20 - 22 ft range. Started the search bent on getting an upper tier boat (Pathfinder, Ranger, etc) but after some research I'm having trouble justifying the cost. Looked today at the Sea Hunt BX 22 Pro and wondering if anyone has insight, thoughts or advice on this boat? Not too familiar with the company but have seen a lot of favorable posts. I'm in the process of looking for a bay boat in the 20 - 22 ft range. Started the search bent on getting an upper tier boat (Pathfinder, Ranger, etc) but after some research I'm having trouble justifying the cost. Looked today at the Sea Hunt BX 22 Pro and wondering if anyone has insight, thoughts or advice on this boat? Not too familiar with the company but have seen a lot of favorable posts.

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