Jason Baldwin
With more than 45 years of experience pursuing salmon and trout, Captain Jason Baldwin of Top Dog Charters fishes the productive waters of Lake Michigan from Belmont Harbor in Chicago, Illinois. He is widely regarded as one of the most seasoned and knowledgeable captains currently fishing Illinois’ waters.
Captain Baldwin caught his first King Salmon at age 12 while trolling from his sailboat, near Port Sheldon. By 16, he had secured a position as a first mate on Chinook Pier in Grand Haven, Michigan, and by 19 he earned his first Captain’s license—making him one of the youngest licensed captains on Lake Michigan at the time.
He built his reputation fishing out of Grand Haven and Saugatuck, frequently running Silver Horde products and Stinger spoons while competing in tournaments across Lake Michigan. During this time he worked charters and fished tournaments alongside his mentor, Chip “Hit Man” Klein. Their team placed in Grand Haven and won tournaments in Holland and the Offshore Challenge in the 1990s. Meanwhile, Captain Baldwin was also part of several teams recording Top 5 finishes throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Beyond the Great Lakes, the Captain has logged countless hours fishing in Alaska, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Straits of Florida, and the Southern Ocean. These experiences have given him a broad understanding of diverse fishing techniques and strategies used around the world.
Captain Jason is currently the only International Game Fish Association (IGFA)–approved captain in Illinois: a credential recognizing his commitment to the highest standards of ethics and adherence to IGFA rules for anglers pursuing world-record catches.
In addition to his time on the water, he holds a Master of Science degree in Agribusiness from Illinois State University. His graduate thesis, “Factors Affecting the Charter Boat Industry on the Eastern and Southern Shores of Lake Michigan,” examined the economics of the charter industry and the motivations that drive anglers’ passion for fishing and the charter experience.
In 2025, he achieved a historic milestone by sweeping both Chicago fishing tournaments and becoming the first captain in decades to complete the five-species Lake Michigan Grand Slam during a species-specific tournament on tournament day—landing King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Lake Trout, while also boating the largest salmon of the event. He also won the Fish This Tournament, where his boat was the only team to limit with 15 fish and one of just three boats to weigh in 10 silver fish, winning by a wide margin.
Today, Captain Jason shares decades of experience with anglers of all skill levels aboard Top Dog Charters, helping guests experience the excitement of Great Lakes salmon and trout fishing. He loves taking kids fishing and sharing in their excitement of catching fish of a lifetime. Jason will be a fantastic addition to the Pro Team and we're excited to have his experience, knowledge, passion, and recognition behind Gibbs and Stinger!
