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Want to spend a day fishing the lake, but don't have a boat? Befriend a captain.

Chartering a fishing boat is like paying a pal, who happens to be a first-class angler, to use his or her gear, know-how, gas and vessel. They'll guide you to the best catch. That is, after all, how they stay afloat.

Capt. David Conant, for one, says you might trade sunlight for starlight. "If you're trophy hunting, you want to go at night," he says. "The moon lights up the bait, and that's an attractant for the big fish."

Conant's boat has reeled in walleye weighing in at more than 12 pounds on such expeditions.

But even if you're not concerned about catching the big one, chartering is a relaxing way to spend a day or even a special occasion.

"I have a father and daughter who will make this the fourth Father's Day in a row that they've gone fishing together on my boat," says Eastlake-based Capt. Robert Swiney.

Whatever your objective, consider the fish you'd like to lure: Expertise and prices vary by catch. Prepare, for example, to cast out extra if you're after steelhead or small-mouth bass.

Once you've found your navigator, know that most charters provide all equipment including poles, lures and nets. So all you need is a valid Ohio fishing license and a cooler for your catch.

Contant, Swiney and Virgil Tent talked to us about memorable expeditions, but you can meet more captains to buddy up with at eriefishingcharters.com.

Robert Swiney

Memorable Trip: "I ran with Johnathan Hillstrand of [the Discovery Channel's] Deadliest Catch last year. He was doing a fundraiser where people could win a chance to fish with him, and I got to take him and the winners out."
Boat: Fishfull Thinking, 34-foot-long, 2007, Sea-Swirl Striper
Port: Eastlake's Chagrin River Yacht Club
Catches: walleye, yellow perch and steelhead
Cost: $600/day
440-477-5378, Fishfullthinkingcharters.com

Virgil Tent

Memorable Trips: "I had somebody bring their 90-year-old father for his birthday, and I've had people celebrate anniversaries and one bachelor party. I ended up with a couple hundred dollars worth of singles in tips leftover from the night before."
Boat: FishCrazy Charters: a 24-foot-long, 2001, HydroSport
Ports: Edgewater, East 72nd Street (Cleveland Port Authority), Lorain, Vermillion, Avon, Huron, Geneva
Catches: walleye, perch and steelhead
Costs: $550-$600 for six hours, walk-ons are $90 per person.
216-408-0404, fishcrazycharters.com

David Conant

Memorable Trip: "Last May I took out a group that had an 8-pound average on a box of fish they caught. That never happened before or since."
Boat: Cross Eyes: a 27-foot-long, 1988, Sportcraft Coastal
Ports: Lorain, Port Clinton, Geneva and/or Ashtabula
Catches: walleye, perch, steelhead and small-mouth bass
Cost: $550/day for walleye, $450/day for perch, $550/day for small-mouth bass
330-414-2699, lakeeriewalleyecharter.net