Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender

Captain Paul Smith owns and operates Hunter Charters, a fleet of 4 fishing boats specializing in big game, light tackle, as well as bottom fishing for a variety of species cruising the Nassau area.

With over 30 years of experience and a passion for fishing that runs in the family (Paul Smith Jr is also the Captain of one of the boats in Hunter’s fleet), Captain Paul is committed to providing you and your group with the Bahamas fishing experience you won’t soon forget.

You’ll be fishing on the ‘Strike Zone’, a 38’ Defender Express which can comfortably accommodate parties of up to 6 anglers. The boat features both inside and outside seating. It is equipped with 3 fighting chairs on board for seating, and an array of navigational technology, including GPS, and VHF Radio. As for the onboard facility, the vessel features a bathroom with a sink and a V berth room.

Nassau is a popular fishing destination for vacationing anglers, primarily due to a colorful mixture of both inshore and offshore game fish frequenting its waters. Join the Captain and crew, as they will show you an awesome time inshore with light tackle gear, mainly bottom fish. You’ll be provided with all the necessary fishing equipment (mostly Shimano and Penn International tackle is utilized), as well as ballyhoo bait.

Strike Zone offers daily 4, 6, and 8-hour trips for your consideration. Fishing licenses for all members of your group are included in the price and will be provided by the Captain.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $850
    Join us for a 4-hour charter targeting a range of species. The price includes all fishing licenses, gear, tackle, and bait.
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Grouper (Black)
    Black Grouper
    Snapper (Mutton)
    Mutton Snapper
    Snapper (Yellowtail)
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Grunt
    Grunt
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $850
    Join us for a 4-hour charter targeting a range of species. The price includes all fishing licenses, gear, tackle, and bait.
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Grouper (Black)
    Black Grouper
    Snapper (Mutton)
    Mutton Snapper
    Snapper (Yellowtail)
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Grunt
    Grunt
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,400
    This 6-hour charter will get you targeting various species. The price includes all fishing licenses, gear, tackle, and bait.
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Grouper (Black)
    Black Grouper
    Snapper (Mutton)
    Mutton Snapper
    Snapper (Yellowtail)
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Tuna (Blackfin)
    Blackfin Tuna
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Grunt
    Grunt
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,600
    Spend a full day with us as we go hunting for hard-fighting species such as Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, and many others. The price includes all fishing licenses, gear, tackle, and bait.
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Grouper (Black)
    Black Grouper
    Snapper (Mutton)
    Mutton Snapper
    Snapper (Yellowtail)
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Tuna (Blackfin)
    Blackfin Tuna

FAQs about Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender

Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $850 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $850 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,400 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Fighting Chair Three fighting chairs
  • GPS
  • Bed Sleeps 4
  • Flybridge
  • Multimedia System

Trips booked with Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Penn, Shimano)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Guest keeps 2% of the fish)
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing

Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Spinning

Top targeted fish species with Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Black)
  • Grunt
  • Sailfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Mutton)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Triggerfish (Gray)
  • Tuna (Blackfin)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Charter Operator

Hunter Charters
Nassau, Bahamas
215 Customer reviews
Response time 1 hour
Member since November 2013
Captain Paul Smith has been fishing for more than 30 years and has been running fishing trips for over 11 years already, with his son, Paul Smith Jr. also joining the Hunter Charters team as one of the fleet’s Captains. Hunter Charters runs trips aboard 4 fantastic boats, with a fun and fantastic team of captains and crew ready and waiting to put you on fish in these waters.

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Black) Black Grouper

Boat specs

Defender (Cruiser) originally built in 1988, and restored in 2013. Powered by 2 300HP GM engines.

Length
38 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning

Amenities

Toilet
Fighting Chair
Three fighting chairs
GPS
Bed
Sleeps 4
Flybridge
Multimedia System

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Penn, Shimano
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Guest keeps 2% of the fish
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

Listing policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
Crew Keeps Catch
Guest are allowed to carry 2%

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

Nassau Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.1 / 5
out of 5 stars from 18 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.1 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.2 / 5
Experience
Very good
4.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (11)
Fishing with Paul
Great morning!
Great morning!
+8
Angler rating
9
5
2
0
2
Anglers claimed
Good experience
50%
Friendly captain
67%
Recommend this charter
78%
Appropriate for children
60%
Satisfied with the boat
67%
Caught fish
57%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 18 reviews
Mark M.
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Crew hustled all day

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on December 28, 2023
Kamar and Andre worked hard and got us on plenty of fish.
Mark M. recommends Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender
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  Hunter Charters Charter Operator replied

Frank T.
Miami, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip with Captains PJ & D

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on July 18, 2018
We had an awesome Day of fishing with Captains PJ & D. They put us right on the fish. We caught several Mahi...
Frank T. recommends Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Hunter Charters Charter Operator replied

Leigh M.
Nassau, Bahamas
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Paul

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on February 26, 2019
Was a pretty rough day on the water but we were able to grab a couple of barracudas. Had a great time, would recommend the...
Leigh M. recommends Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Leigh M. recommends Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Murray B.
Tampa, Florida
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Two full days with Captain Mike

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 14, 2017
The captain and mate did a good job in trying to find fish, and make things work for us.  They did a good job and no blame...
Murray B. recommends Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender
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Murray B. recommends Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender
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Michael N.
Flower Mound, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

August fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on August 17, 2018
Michael N. recommends Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Michael N. recommends Hunter Charters – 38’ Defender
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful