Ready to catch Walleye, Perch, Channel Catfish and more? Visit our sister company at www.chasethebite.net
Ready to catch Walleye, Perch, Channel Catfish and more? Visit our sister company at www.chasethebite.net
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity -- Seneca
When you come out fishing, you deserve to know you’re stepping onto a properly run, professional operation. Behind every trip is real training, current certifications, and a commitment to doing things the right way — not just because it’s required, but because it matters.
Marine Training & Certifications
SVOP – Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (Western Maritime Institute)
ROC(M) – Maritime VHF Operator Certificate
SDV-BS – Small Domestic Vessel Basic Safety (Western Maritime Institute)
MBFA – Marine Basic First Aid (2024)
PCOC – Pleasure Craft Operator Card
RPAS Pilot Certificate – Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (Visual Line-of-Sight)
Professional Credentials
Licensed Insurance Broker (RIBO) – Province of Ontario
Fully licensed and insured for the size and type of vessel we operate
Professional Memberships & Community Involvement
Ontario Sportfishing Guides Association – Member (through 2026)
Niagara Fishing Charter Alliance – Member (2026)
St. Catharines Game & Fish Association – Member (through 2026)
Proud Sponsor of the Niagara Falls Canucks
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce – Past Member
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Political Science – Western University (1998)
All of it adds up to a safe, organized, professionally run experience from dock to dock — so you can relax and enjoy your time on Lake Ontario.
My name is Captain John Mastrandrea, and I was born and raised in Niagara Falls. Lake Ontario has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve spent decades learning this water — watching how the wind pushes bait, how temperature breaks set up, how salmon and trout shift with current and light. The lake is never the same twice, and that’s what keeps me hooked.
Early on, I was fortunate to learn from my mentor, the late William Ball (1935–2023). Bill taught me that success on Lake Ontario isn’t about hype — it’s about paying attention, staying patient, and making thoughtful adjustments. He believed preparation mattered, details mattered, and how you treat people mattered just as much. That mindset still guides every trip I run today.
Salmon Limited Sportfishing Niagara is personal for me. When you step on the boat, you’re fishing with someone who genuinely cares about the experience. I’m constantly watching speed, temperature, depth, and boat control — small adjustments that often make the difference between a quiet rod and one that suddenly starts moving. Sometimes we relocate. Sometimes we adjust the spread. Sometimes we slow everything down. It’s all part of staying in tune with what Lake Ontario is giving us that day.
As a single dad to three great kids, patience and safety naturally come first. I want families, visitors, and experienced anglers alike to feel comfortable, involved, and welcome. The atmosphere is relaxed and hands-on — no pressure, no ego — just a focused day on the water where you’re part of the process from start to finish.
I’m fully licensed and insured in Ontario with all required marine certifications. I also bring more than 25 years as a licensed insurance broker, which likely explains why I plan carefully and respect changing weather. On Lake Ontario, preparation isn’t optional — it’s everything.
We don’t accept or solicit sponsors. Everything on the boat is there for one reason — because it performs and it works on Lake Ontario. No promotional obligations, no gimmicks, just equipment I trust and would run whether anyone was watching or not.
Around Niagara, my reputation has grown the old-fashioned way — by staying prepared, being honest, and treating people right.
If you join me on the lake, my goal is simple: give you a genuine Lake Ontario salmon and trout experience, share what I’ve learned over the years, and make sure you leave with a day that feels earned and worth remembering.
This is the rig that allows us to fish Lake Ontario the right way — stay adaptable, cover water efficiently, and make smart adjustments as conditions change.
Salmon Limited Sportfishing Niagara runs a 2011 Seaswirl Striper 2101 Walkaround — a proven Great Lakes platform that’s solid, comfortable, and built for serious big-water performance. It’s powered by a 225HP Volvo Penta GXi I/O for dependable cruising power, along with a Yamaha High Thrust 9.9 kicker for precise trolling control. Together, that setup gives us the flexibility to move efficiently when we need to relocate and dial in exact speeds when presentations matter most.
The boat is agile enough to work the contours around the Niagara Bar, yet stable and confidence-inspiring when we’re running 10 miles out from port to set up in the right water. The size is intentional — large enough to handle Lake Ontario properly, but personal enough to keep the experience hands-on and focused for up to 3 adults (or 4 with a child).
Boat control is everything out here. Our autopilot and GPS allow us to track precise contours and maintain consistent passes, even with current and boat traffic in the mix. We run Cannon Optimum downriggers with automatic bottom tracking to stay tight to structure when needed. A remote temperature and speed probe at the ball lets us monitor exact conditions below the surface — helping us locate thermoclines and pinpoint precise fish-holding zones instead of guessing.
On board you’ll find:
• Cannon Optimum downriggers with bottom tracking
• Remote speed and temperature probe for identifying thermoclines and exact fish-holding areas
• Full planer board system for spreading lines and covering water efficiently
• Three Lowrance Elite FS units for detailed sonar and GPS mapping
• A clean, organized cockpit designed for comfort and efficiency
Safety always comes first. The vessel is meticulously maintained, fully licensed and insured in Ontario, and was physically inspected — exceeding the standards set by Transport Canada. It carries all required commercial marine safety equipment and more. Before departure, guests have access to washroom facilities at the Port Dalhousie Pier Marina, as there is no washroom onboard.
We’re conservative when it comes to lake conditions. If it’s not right, we simply don’t go. Lake Ontario deserves respect, and good decision-making is part of delivering a quality experience.
It’s not about flashy extras — it’s about running the right platform, staying precise with boat control, and making thoughtful adjustments that give you a genuine opportunity when a rod starts to load up.
Salmon Limited Sportfishing Niagara is dedicated exclusively to trolling for salmon and trout on Lake Ontario out of St. Catharines. Every rod, every setup, and every adjustment on board is selected with these fish — and these waters — in mind.
This isn’t a “run and hope” trip. Each charter begins with a clear plan based on the time of season, depth range, and how fish traditionally position along the Niagara stretch of Lake Ontario. As patterns develop, refinements are made deliberately — not randomly.
The boat is rigged to fish efficiently and stay controlled in changing current and wind. Subtle speed control, depth tracking at the ball, and careful presentation management all work together behind the scenes so lines stay working properly.
With a maximum of three adults (or four with a child), every guest has room to move, learn, and stay engaged. When a rod fires, you’re not waiting your turn in a crowd — you’re in it.
Same captain, same standards, fully focused on multi-species fishing across Niagara and beyond.
We proudly support Niagara businesses, conservation groups, and organizations that protect our waters and actively participate in growing a strong fishing community.
