In this episode of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast presented by Fish Hawk Electronics, host Chris Larsen sits down with first mate Wyatt Merritt of Catch a Bunch Charters in Grand Haven, Michigan. Fishing alongside Captain Phil Rutherford, Wyatt shares his perspective from the back deck—covering the excitement of battling fiery late-summer king salmon, the challenges of running a busy spread of rods, and the chaos of netting fish in heavy boat traffic.

Wyatt isn’t just passionate about fishing—he’s also a fisheries and aquatic science student at Grand Valley State University. He discusses how his classroom studies on thermoclines and cold-water species connect directly to Great Lakes salmon fishing, and what he hopes to pursue as a fisheries technician in the future.

From wild net jobs to insights on salmon behavior and the importance of temperature probes, this conversation blends hands-on fishing stories with fisheries science. Whether you’re a charter customer, weekend angler, or just love the Great Lakes, you’ll enjoy hearing Wyatt’s passion for the fishery and his vision for its future.

For more Great Lakes fishing tips, gear reviews, and stories, visit FishHawkElectronics.com.