| Our family loves to go fishing in Florida's waters. We live near Tampa Bay and have caught lots of fish in our own back yard. But, when it comes to deep sea fishing - the kind we see on TV - mom and dad need to call in the professionals!
Captain VJ Bell, who has been featured in the national and local media, is not just your ordinary sport fisherman. Nominated as 2003 Captain of the Year by "In The Bite" Magazine, VJ has dozens of tournament wins and victories under his belt. He is just one of a very select few who can say he is a lifelong fisherman with over 20 years experience, and has made his career on the water.
VJ is captain of the Challenge, a 51-foot Bertram that is well equipped and rigged for any kind of sport fishing imaginable. Whether you want to reel in a 100-lb. grouper or you’re set on catching a 600-lb. marlin, Captain VJ Bell and the Challenge are ready to accommodate.
Landing the big one is a daily routine for Captain V.J. Bell. Whether it’s a day along the Treasure Coast for sailfish, snapper, dolphin or grouper; or an extended trip from Stuart, Florida, to the Bahamas or Mexico for blue and white marlin, the experience is destined to be unforgettable.
Sport fishing excursions are offered year-round on board the Challenge. Packages range from half-day trips to week or month-long vacations. Bell’s specialty is tuna and marlin fishing from April to October and sailfish from November to April.
Besides daily sport fishing excursions, V.J. also offers his expertise and guidance to the avid tournament fisherman. With over 26 tournament wins to his name—including a two-time winner of the Treasure Coast Sailfish Championship, a two-time winner of ESPN’s BXRL Mexico leg, and a two-time winner of the Sailfish Point Billfish Invitational Tournament—V.J. has become one of the most sought-after sport fishing captains throughout Florida.
V.J. and the Challenge have also been named a Stuart Sailfish Club Top Charter Boat six times over for releasing the most sailfish. During the filming of his guest appearance on "Reel Adventures," V.J. broke his own personal record with 63 releases in one day.
We hope to take an excursion and report back on our catches! I hope the kids can count that high!
Jennifer Michaels, Family Travel Expert, VISIT FLORIDA and FamilyTravelPlanet.com |
