Captain Eddie Brochin Charts a Course for Fishermen on Geist Lake

As I gazed out onto the water from the boat dock behind Bella Vita, the gray sky and threat of rain seemed perfect.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/TpvYc7K2KJw" width="300" height="250" wmode="transparent" /]Although admittedly I am not a fisherman, my dad owned a bass boat when I was growing up, so I know that overcast conditions are best if you’re hoping to “slay ’em.” And that’s just what I was expecting. After all, I was about to discover secret fishing techniques and hotspots on Geist Lake from charter operator Eddie Brochin.

Captain Eddie Brochin, that is. The local outdoorsman has been chartering fishing excursions on Geist for the last nine years but just earned his Captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard. He also has achieved his Inland Master’s License, enabling him to operate full party boats. Logging the required offshore hours has taken Brochin nearly a decade.

Since starting Geist Lake Charters in 1998, he’s run 461 charters, going to waterways all over the state, as well as in Texas, Florida and Mexico. While the local fishermen used to tease Brochin about running a charter operation out of Geist, they’re laughing no more. Brochin has brought in clients from as far as Texas who can’t wait to fish Geist Lake with Eddie Brochin.

“A lot of people don’t realize what’s out here,” he said. “This used to be the best kept secret.”

That was until Brochin exposed it on his popular TV show, “Outdoors with Eddie Brochin.” The show now airs on more than 80 television channels each week, including the Sportsman’s Channel and CBS and FOX affiliates nationwide. Broadcast out of Channel 40 in Noblesville, Eddie’s show is ranked No. 20 in the nation among outdoors and fishing shows. He films from wherever he goes hunting or fishing – including Canada, Mexico and even Africa. His show also features traditional bow hunting (no guns).

But the real reason for the shows success, Brochin says, is his pet hawk, Chase, who goes by the name “Maverick” on the show and provides a “birds-eye view” from a small camera mounted to his chest.

“Everybody loves my hawk,” Eddie says. “He steals the show.”

Eddie recently brought in a partner for Maverick who goes by the name “Goose,” prompting a humorous segment where the two hawks argue about who’s going to be the “wingman.” He’s also added an owl for night hunting.

With his new Captain’s license, Brochin plans to run charters on major river systems including Smuggler’s Cove on the Ohio River (on the Kentucky/Indiana border), where clients also will be able to stay at a resort and take in a little gambling if they wish.

So how did my fishing excursion go with the famed Captain Eddie Brochin? Well, despite the near-perfect conditions on the lake, our hunt for monster catfish started slow. My husband, Will, had joined me for the fishing trip, and Eddie assured us that indeed, there were big fish in this small lake. He once caught a 56-pounder that was about four feet long!

“It’s mouth was as big as a steering wheel,” said Eddie (and he’s got the photo to prove this is no “fish tale”).

After no luck trolling for catfish near the eastern shoreline, Captain Eddie cranked up the motor to move to another spot, only to discover his engine had overheated. As Eddie pulled off the motor cover and discovered the culprit (a bird’s nest that had been constructed during the two months he’s been busy pursuing his Captain’s license), we were greeted by a helpful DNR officer – who also wanted to check licenses (a little but important detail Will and I had forgotten about up to this point).

After a quick jaunt to Cap N Hook bait shop in McCordsville for fishing licenses (which gave Eddie some time to catch some fresh bait), we were finally on our way again. Captain Eddie was visibly disappointed with the start to our day and was determined to help me land “the big one.”

With the freshly-caught bait fish, it didn’t take long for the six poles we had stationed around the boat to starting bending. At one point, Will, Eddie and I all had a fish on at the same time!

As I fought to reel in my catfish, Captain Eddie shouted with glee: “We’re not fishing anymore; we’ve graduated to catching!”

After letting a couple get away, I finally reeled in a very respectable 12-pounder. When the catfish boom cooled off, we moved to a weedy peninsula to fish for smaller fry – perch, bluegill, bass, crappie and sunfish. I can honestly say I enjoyed this part of the outing most, as I finally got to use those 16-foot poles I had admired standing erect from the vessel as Captain Eddie pulled into the dock that morning.

These monster rods took some time getting used to, as they had no reel to wind in and were a bit unwieldy for a novice such as myself to manipulate. But after I got the hang of casting and recognizing a nibble, it seemed I was pulling in a fish on the long and nimble rod nearly every minute!

Just as the outing was winding down, we decided to switch spots once more, in search of the “big one.” Our new spot turned out to be hot, and before long, I had another big catfish on the line. Unfortunately, it had wound the line around a nearby dock – which almost certainly meant the line would snap. But it was Captain Eddie to the rescue! He trolled over to the dock, jumped out, leaned the tip of the pole down into the water and coaxed the fish out. As he reeled the fighter in, Captain Eddie was now all a grin: “I hate to say it, but I’m good!”

Indeed. Who knew fishing on Geist could be this good? If you’d like to go fishing (or hunting) with Captain Eddie Brochin, contact him at 826-8231 or visit www.geistlakecharters.com.

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