Port Vila, Vanuatu

 

Owner/operator:   Pete Phillipps

Second Skipper:    Kendrick George

Normal Area Of Operation:       
Wild Blue operates out of Port Vila on a day trip basis. Shogun operates out of Port Vila on a daytrip basis and is also equipped to do live-aboard and live-away trips.

Introduction:        
Pete Phillipps moved to Vanuatu in March 2001 where he set up a charter fishing and parasailing operation.  Twelve month later Pete purchased Nautilus Dive Centre, the largest and longest running diving operation in Vanuatu and put all operations under the one banner of Nautilus Watersports with his partner Leanne Collett coming on board to assist in the day to day running and booking management. This then became the home for Wild Blue Fishing Charters.
 
Initially fishing charters we conducted from a vessel called Deliverance a 7.25m Seakeeper. These were mainly 3 and 4 hour reef fishing charters and some game fishing out wider as customers requested. In 2002 Wild Blue was purchased which is a 9m Reefmaster that allowed for much further a field trips. This vessel is still in service today and is still a favourite with a lot of guest due to its spacious deck area, sun shade and stability in sloppy conditions. This vessel is ideal for large groups and spearfishing trips. 

In 2004 Wild Blue Charters added a 28Ft Bertram (Jay-R) to the fleet to handle the ever increasing work load which was run for a further 2 years. In December 2005 a 34ft Blackwatch (Shogun) was added to the fleet to replace Jay-R. This vessel had been in charter here in Vanuatu however the previous owner had retired from the charter industry. Shogun went under an extensive 3 month refit and put into service again. In May 2006 whilst on the way home from a charter Shogun developed a fire in the starboard side engine and was lost in a short time with all occupants requiring a ride in the life raft. In September 2006 an immaculate 34Ft Blackwatch was purchase from the Gold Coast in Queensland and shipped to Vanuatu, re named Shogun and put into service. Both Wild Blue and Shogun have proven themselves as popular vessels with each notching up more that 200 day charter and have quite a few records .

Vessel Information:   
Shogun and Wild Blue comes with an impressive array of tackle and equipment. Our vessels are equipped with 5 X Shimano (Tiagra) 50s & Kilwell Custom built rods, Shimano Tiagra 30's, TLD25s and fully rollered rods 8 and 10kg Shimano on T-Curve rollered rods. Gear is selected and provided depending on fishing style requested by guests. Out Riggers, Rod Racks, Gaffs, Tagging gear, Black Magic & Braid Gimble Belts & Game Harnesses, Fish bin, kill bags and plenty of ice, Reelax 130Kg Game Chair & Belts & a large selections of lures, baits, jigs and poppers, depending on type of fishing. We also carry 7 Sillstar rods fitted with Okuma reels for reef fishing & jigging. We also specialize in Live Baiting & Cubing. 

Shogun also has a few extras like a live bait tank, high pressure deck washes X 2 and is powered by 2 X 300hp Yanmar diesel and carries 1000litres of fuel and an additional fuel for longer trip in fuel bladders. Shogun is capable of 30kts however optimum cruise speed is 20kts  Wild Blue carries 800litres of diesel and is powered by a 230hp Volvo giving her a cruising speed of 16 to 17kts 

Safety Features:  
All vessels conform to and exceed all the safety standards set by the Vanuatu Maritime Authority and are all in current survey.  Shogun carries 2 X Ipirb (locator beacon) and a 10 man inflatable life raft among all the other safety equipment onboard. Wild Blue is set up the same however only carries 1X Ipirb. Our skippers are fully qualified and our deck hands are very experienced and trained in the latest fishing techniques. 

Navigational Aids:   
On Shogun the helm is on the fly bridge giving Pete the ability to spot fish and birds. He is also surrounded by state of the art Raymarine electronics. Among these are a 36 mile radar, dual frequency depth sounder, global positioning system, autopilot and VHF and 27meg radios.  Wild Blue is similarly set up using Navman electronics. (no radar)

Accommodation and Amenities:  
Shogun is set up well with a walk through bulk head from the cockpit to the saloon. This allows for plenty of air circulation during the day and during overnighters on those warm tropical nights. Four guests can sleep comfortably in the saloon in individual bunks. Shogun is fitted with a toilet ,hot shower and hand basin in the W.C. and another hot shower in the cockpit.

The vessel is also fitted with a state of art Pioneer sound system, flat screen T.V, D.V.D player, D.V.D library, onboard camera system to record the fish action at the back of the boat, (recorded to V.H.S.), microwave oven and other electrical appliances, large inverter and 300amp's of house power, and a removable cockpit B.B.Q.  

Wild Blue is far more sparse however perfect for the budget conscious day tripper. (Wild Blue is not  fitted with a toilet). On shorter 4 hour trips snacks and refreshments are provided. Usually home baked cakes and biscuits and local fresh fruit. Tea and coffee and some soft drinks are provided as well as fresh water. For longer trips lunch is provided as for evening meals and breakfast on live-aboard's. 

Destinations:   
Vanuatu offers some amazing fishing not too far from the dock. If you just wanted to spend 4 hours with the family out on the water or maybe you wanted to join one of our shared charters we can have the lines in the water in 15 to 20 min at Pango Point. If you were to do some game and reef fishing you could expect to see wahoo, yellow fin the occasional sail fish however anything can turn up there. From there you would return to the reef to catch coral trout, sweetlip, green job fish, bass and an array of other species. 

For game fishing we have many options with 3 X F.A.D's (Fish Aggregating Devices) being very handy on a day trips. You might want to go further a field to the Erromango Sea Mounds (Weather Dependant) or chase dogtooth tuna at Nguna Island or fish in the lee of Hat Island. We very rarely loose a days fishing due to bad weather as we always have some sheltered water to fish in.

Trip Options:  
Three, four and 8 hour game and or reef fishing charters. (Shogun & Wild Blue) Longer live-aboard (4 anglers Max) and live-away trips (5 anglers max) on Shogun.  

Day Trips:   
These trips are for the guest that wants to come back to their accommodation or resort at night  Normal day is 8am to 4.30pm. If you are not staying with us we run a pick up and drop off service to most resorts and hotels.

Overnight Trips:   
These trip are very popular with someone that is targeting a marlin or large yellow fin. We can fish the marlin highway hard all day and swing into Havana Harbour for the night for and onboard B.B.Q and cold beer to be ready to swing out and get amongst it early the next morning. Within 20 minutes from pulling the anchor we can be out over the 1000m mark looking for the big one.

Multiple Day Trips:   
These trip are a huge part of our business now. The Epi Adventure being the most popular. Shogun normally leaves early on day one to fish the marlin hwy looking for marlin, yellow fin, wahoo, mahi mahi that frequent these deep waters. On arrival at the picturesque Lamen Bay on the island of Epi (70nm from Port Vila) you are greeted by the Chief  Tasso and his family and show to your simple but clean and comfortable accommodation. Once settled in its usually a cold beer watching the sun set over Lamen Island from the veranda of the restaurant and usually chatting with the yachtie's that also frequent this anchorage. 

The evening meal is usually a mixture of traditional NiVanuatu foods and fresh fish from the days catch and or Vanuatu steak and sausages fresh off the B.B.Q. After retiring for the night breakfast is usually bacon and eggs or home made pan cakes and back to to Shogun for a day of action. The options in these waters are unlimited, you might want to spend time casting poppers at the bottom of Lapevi Volcano (still active) and move on for a troll for huge wahoo and then for a jig at any number on sea mounds the spear on from the depths. You might want to troll to De Chaliac Bank for marlin, wahoo, yellow fin, and mahi-mahi the try and stop and stop monster dogtooth on jigs on top of the bank. For more info on these trips click here. Epi  For a Fishing News report click here. Fishing News  

Rates:    Please Note: All rates are charged in VATU. For current conversion click here  RATES Then convert Vanuatu to your currency.

Day Trips: 
Wild Blue:   3 hours 40,000. 4 hour 45.000Vt.  8 hours 88,000Vt
Shogun: 4 hour 65.000Vt  8 hours 120,000Vt

Overnight Trips:  
140,000Vt for the whole vessel (4 people max) (Shogun)

Multiple Day Trips:  Same as overnighters. (Shogun only)

Tackle:   All tackle is provided depending on fishing. On stay-away trips where lots of jigging is going to take place two sets of jigs are provided however I suggest you bring your own favourites if we amongst big dogtooth action.

Mission Statement:   To endeavour every angler or group has the best possible time with us. The things we can control we make sure are first class and fun. The only things we can't control are the fish and the weather.

For more information please contact us

Phone:          +678 22398
Fax:              +678 25255
Mobile           +678 43288
Email:     fishing@vanuatu.com.vu
Web:      www.nautilus.com.vu/fishing

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