|
Captain Dave is no stranger to the fishing industry becoming a first mate at the age of 12. At 18, he passed his Captains test and bought the first Best Chance fishing boat. In 1984, he opened Best Chance Sporting Goods, a successful retail store and Charter fishing business. After the sale of the store in 1998, he was able to fish the Tournament Trail full time. In the off season he operates a duck hunting club, a pheasant shooting preserve, and a goose hunting club. |
|
Captain Bill Bale started salmon fishing in 1970 at the age of 9 with his dad. By the time he was 19, he was working as a first mate on charter boats in Saugatuck (which he did until 1998). He was also working full-time in fishing tackle retail at Oar-n-Tackle in Douglas, MI. In 1980, Bill's dad bought the business, and Oar-n-Tackle became Bale Sporting Goods. Then in 1984, it became Best Chance Sporting Goods when Capt. Dave Engel bought the store from Bill's dad. In 1988 the store moved from Douglas to downtown Saugatuck. Bill worked in the store throughout all the changes and eventually became Store Manager.
In 1998 Dave decided to sell the store, and he and Bill became full-time fishermen on the Lake Michigan tournament circuit. BIll got his Captain's License in 1999 and has never looked back. For the past 10 years, he has a been an integral part of the winningest tournament team on Lake Michigan. In most tournaments, Bill runs the back of the boat, while Captain Dave drives and makes tactical decisions. They have won tournaments in all four states surrounding the lake, have finished first close to 50 times, been on the cover of Great Lakes Angler magazine twice, and been Tournament Trail team of the year twice.
Bill says that he has met some of his best friends on the tournament trail, and one of his favorite things each year is to catch up with them as Best Chance Too moves from port to port, following the fish. During the fishing season, Bill enjoys keeping the boat looking good, mowing his lawn (when they get back home between tourneys), and searching out the best ice cream shop in each port (he knows them all, but he won't tell).
Best Chance Too fishes in 15-17 tournaments every year, so by the end of the season, they are ready for a break. Captain Bill is an avid hunter, and spends the off-season hunting waterfowl in Michigan and Arkansas, and deer in Michigan and Iowa. His other winter hobbies include following NASCAR, and steelhead and ice fishing (which he doesn't get much chance to do).
Captain Bill is a member of the Hoosier Coho Club, two chapters of Salmon Unlimited, and several Steelheaders chapters.
|
 |
|
|
Captain Hunter is no stranger to Lake Michigan or the outdoors. He started fishing early in life with his father Dave on the Best Chance. Hunter spent many years fishing with Dave and Bill in fishing tournaments and fishing charters. Acquiring his captains license at age 16 to run the local ferry boat for the city of Saugatuck.
After Fishing for Uncle Bob, Bill, and Dave, he has now bought the original Best Chance from Uncle Bob and is running the boat to carry on the family tradition as a fisherman. What Hunter is mostly known for is competitive goose calling. He has won many goose calling contests through out the United States. He spends the fall and winter helping his father Dave manage the hunting clubs.
His passion is hunting waterfowl, deer hunting, and turkey hunting. He travels with Dave and Bill to host seminars and is very knowledgeable in modern techniques and is very helpful with the team in research and development. Hunter is one of the most patient and helpful captains you will ever fish with.
|
 |
|
|
|
