Sportfishing At Its Finest, No Splash, No Cash On Full Day Charters. An Interview With Capt. Mike Russell — There are not many captains who can make this offer and even fewer that can make it for their entire fleet. But then, “not many captains have the crew with the commitment to ensuring that their guest's experience exceed their expectations,” says Capt. Mike Russell, a fourth generation Bahamian and owner of CHUBASCO CHARTERS, the largest charter fishing company in the Bahamas. CHUBASCO CHARTERS flagship is Chubasco III, a luxurious 48' Hatteras sportfishing yacht which offers all the comforts of home for anglers while they search for the big one. “Chubasco III is the best equipped and crewed charter fishing yacht in Nassau today,” says Capt. Russell. “Deep sea fishing” says Capt. Russell, “is like an ocean safari–it's an adventure. First you have to locate your prey, then you have to entice them into biting for the hook-up. Everyone is jubilant, cheering and exaggerating the fish's size before we even get it to the boat. I'm sure by the time they get back home it has doubled in size.”
However neither Chubasco Charters nor their anglers need to tell fish stories about 500 lb. Marlins or 1000 lb. Sharks. The company has continually set the pace and holds most of the local records, including most marlin annually since 1988, 4 Blue Marlin in a 6 day period (Chubasco III in July 1999). Most wahoo on a one-day charter, 42 caught by a party from Ditch Witch in 1998 on board Chubasco III with Capt. Mike. Largest marlin caught in 10 years up to 1991, a 10'7" Blue caught by Eddie Pack of Georgia on board Chubasco with Capt. Russell. Capt. Russell offered a free 1/2 day fishing trip to anyone beating that record while fishing on one of his boats. That record was broken and offer redeemed in May 1995 when Reney Selby of Connecticut fishing on Chubasco II with Capt. Russell's son Capt. John-Michael landed, after an exhausting 3-1/2 hour battle and blistered hands, a 10'10" Blue Marlin. Capt. Russell's offer still stands for anyone beating their new record on one of his boats.
Chubasco III with Capt. Russell is the leading winner of tournaments held in Nassau. He has won five of the last seven Atlantis Casino Fishing Tournaments. “One of those years,” says Capt. Russell, “we not only won the tournament, we ran away with it. Our total points were five points higher than the other 5 boat's totals added together which included boats from two other major charter companies.” Captain Russell laughs and adds, “please don't ask me their names” “Although our 4 boats are equipped for the professional with the best fishing tackle available Penn International Rods & Reels,” says Capt. Russell, “the family and novice are just as at home with us as the expert. In fact 40% of our clients have never deep-sea fished before and one of my greatest thrills is for a kid to catch their first ocean fish, it's an experience they will never forget.”
Nassau is ideally located for sportfishing. Less than a quarter mile off the north and west sides, the natural shelf drops to 1,000 feet and five miles out it drops to over a mile deep. “Our boats are fishing within fifteen minutes of leaving the dock and often are hooked into fish within 30 minutes,” explains Capt. Russell. “Visiting anglers, accustomed to travelling 30 and 40 miles offshore to get to that depth of water find it hard to believe when 1500 feet off the harbour entrance I show them on our depth finder that we are in 600 feet of water and harder to believe when just outside of us a flock of birds frantically dive on fleeing bait being chased by large yellowfin tuna crashing the surface. To the east and south of Nassau are the shallow reef waters where we do our light tackle fishing for barracuda, mackerel, yellow-tail and mutton snappers. This type of fishing is perfect for families with kids & anglers who want lots of action.”
For sportfishing done the right way, insist on CHUBASCO CHARTERS. Call today at tel. 324-FISH (3474). Ask about our special What's On discount with direct booking. (Discount must be confirmed at time of booking). Website: chubascocharters.com E-mail chubasco@coralwave.com Guaranteed fish applies to full day charters only.
Comments: Fishing Charter
