Today we’d like to introduce you to John Oberman.
John, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Far more than just a luxury fishing charter, the success of DIAZEPAM tells a story of our city and beloved lake. Fifty years ago a charter service that takes anglers out of Montrose Harbor for a day of hooking Salmon, Lake trout, Brown trout and Steelhead would have been unthinkable. In terms of fishing, from about 1945 to 1967, the lake was pretty close to completely void of fish. When the large ocean going commercial vessels began to move through the Great Lakes, they dumped their ballast water, which contained invasive organisms. One of them was the alewife, an oily, herring like fish. The sight of countless dead, smelly alewives washed up on Chicago beaches was far from uncommon.
In the late 60’s the Departments of Natural Resources took a chance that would forever shape fishing in Lake Michigan. They introduced Coho, then Chinook salmon. Both fish are natural predators of alewives. The experiment was a massive success, reducing the alewife population, and the game fish prospered. And now, the Great Lakes enjoy an energized seven billion sport fishing industry.
In 2009, upon retiring from the fast paced career in financial services, and 40 years of fishing the Great Lakes, Endorfins emerged, anchored by DIAZEPAM, an Ocean Yacht Sports fishing convertible. It is a roomy vessel powered by twin 745 horsepower diesels, thus spending less time traveling to the fishing grounds and more time fishing. The boat is kept immaculate, with 2 full bathrooms (heads), air conditioning and satellite TV. Additionally, kids are more than welcome and if family members prefer to sunbathe, tube or swim, there’s plenty of room to spread out and do what keeps them happy.
Spring and summer are clearly the busiest fishing seasons, bur DIAZEPAM charters as late as mid-November. Generally, I am the last boat to exit the harbor.
Endorfins Fishing Charters – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What sets Endorfins apart from the other charters is that we do only 1 trip daily at whatever time or clientele chooses. They are not on a Captain’s 2 trip daily schedule. Additionally, the luxury level of DIAZEPAM is unmatched in Chicago, commanding a premium charter fee.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is doing something about which you can be passionate. Waking up with excitement for the day’s adventure is paramount.
Contact Info:
- Address: Captain John Oberman
Endorfins Charter Fishing Service
Office; 415 E. North Water St, #3005
Chicago, IL 60611 - Website: Endorfinscharter.com
- Phone: 773-454-6442
- Email: captainjohn@endorfinscharter.com
- Other: Departing from Montrose Harbor, Chicago
