Collection: About: Captain John King - Where It Began
Background and Contributions
Captain John King is a veteran Great Lakes charter captain based near Manistee, Michigan, with over 40 years of experience in sport fishing. He has been serving anglers since 1983 and is renowned for his extensive knowledge of salmon and trout fishing on the Great Lakes. Through his charter service and his Michigan Angler website (launched in 2003), King provided daily fishing reports, expert tips, and a wide range of tackle to help fishermen catch more and bigger fish. His passion for the sport and commitment to education have made him a go-to resource for anglers looking to improve their skills.
Over the decades, Capt. John King became especially known for pioneering innovative Great Lakes lures and rigs. He introduced the Salmon Buster™ trolling spoon – a groundbreaking spoon made from Lexan plastic for extra durability. He also developed effective cut bait systems, including custom flashers (e.g. 10"–12" Reel Flashers) and multi-fly “meat rig” setups for trolling herring strips. Many of these creations, from Lexan spoons to 3-fly meat rigs, have been widely adopted by Great Lakes salmon anglers. King has actively shared his expertise with the fishing community (for example, via the Michigan Sportsman forums and other outlets), often posting how-to videos and guidance on tackle usage. His notable contributions and willingness to share knowledge have cemented his reputation as a leading authority in Michigan’s angling circles.
Check out his YouTube informational videos:
| Lure Type | Video Title (YouTube Link) |
|---|---|
| Spoons | Salmon Buster™ Spoon vs. spoon tests – World debut of Capt. King’s Lexan “Salmon Buster” spoons |
| Catching Fish with Salmon Buster™ spoons – On-the-water results using Salmon Buster spoons | |
| Flies | Salmon trolling fly tying for flasher/fly combinations – Capt. John’s tutorial on tying trolling flies (single vs treble hooks, etc.) |
| Cut Bait / Meat Rigs | Capt. John’s EZ Homemade Herring Strips – How to prepare herring strips for meat rigs (DIY bait) |
| Rigging with Red Label Herring Prep – Rigging whole bait fish with King’s Super Mag meat heads |