Crystal River Fishing Captain
Captain Casey Russell is a USCG Licensed captain and holds his
certification as an able bodied seamen. He is originally from Kill
Devil Hills, North Carolina also known as the “Outer Banks”,
where he has dedicated his life to fishing, hunting and everything
wildlife.
Casey has spent every minute that he could at the end of Avalon
Fishing Pier, so much that It became his bus stop as a kid.
Spending his childhood there allowed him to shadow some of the
best fisherman in the world. Over time he evolved and mastered
different techniques while learning multiple methods that would
make him the versatile fisherman he is today. The pier and the
surf of the Outer banks were his headquarters for fishing until he
was able to drive.
Becoming a 1st mate at the age of 16, Casey found himself on the “square end” of his first charter boat. He loved every second of it. Early mornings to the
late evenings, the job of a 1st mate in the Outer Banks never ends. While this job wasn’t for everyone, it was where Casey thrived and from then on knew
what he wanted as a career. Spending most of the year in the cockpit and coaching clients on how to catch fish of a lifetime was a dream come true. After
spending a few seasons in the world of a mate, it was time to further his education in his passion of marine life.
Cape Fear Community College is the only school with a short drive from the ocean, so that is where he attended. An Associates in Applied Science of
Marine Technology is the degree he earned. The curriculum offered a hands-on and biological approach to marine science. Traveling up and down the
coast and as far reached as the Bahamas this program made Casey a more well-rounded individual.
It was game on after college, knowing the charter boats were
waiting for him he didn’t waste anytime getting back into the
cockpit. Casey fished on multiple boats before he found his
home on the back of the boat the “Fistful”. This is where his
life changed. The Fistful is captained by Karl Helmkamp,
you’ve probably heard of him.
Casey and the Fistful became an unstoppable team, they
acted as one unit, it was a sight to see. Capt. Casey spent the
next seven years fishing on the Fistful catching everything
from bluefish to the blue marlins and everything in between.
When Casey wasn’t fishing for a living he was fishing for fun,
you can ask anybody. After seven years of fishing under a
respected captain and having customers that became family,
it came time to for Casey to branch off and get his own
dream going.
Crystal River, Florida. It only took a few trips for Casey to figure out that this was a special place. Casey fell in love with everything that the nature coast
provides, redfish in the mangroves, Speckled trout and Snook in the shallows to scallops in the grass. THIS is why Casey landed in Crystal River. Starting
his own business and becoming his own boss has always been a goal for Casey. He made the jump and bought a boat from another local guide which gave
him his platform to form his career. Casey has always been the type of person that wants a challenge or a target to drive him. Having a strong goal
oriented mindset has proven to be a great quality to have as a captain as bent fishing rods are the typical result. Although he is not your native Floridian,
he has a vast amount of knowledge and ability that consistently puts fish in the hand of customers. Captain Casey Russell will make sure you have a great
time on the water and he’ll do whatever it takes to catch fish. To be honest, he probably wants to catch fish more than you!!
