Operating out of Hatteras, North Carolina, Reliance Fishing Charters specializes in premier professionally guided fishing trips. Captain John Canning grew up in New Jersey but then moved to Hatteras in 1993 in order to pursue his boating and fishing dreams. He bought his first boat in 1997 and kept upgrading to bigger and better till this day.

His current boat is a new 25" Southern Cross center console. It comes powered by an impressive 250 HP Suzuki engine and can take up to 6 anglers of all ages and experience levels. Built in 2020, it features the latest and the best in marine electronics and safety gear, a livewell, and an ice-box.

Captain John is as skilled behind the rod as he is behind the helm. He always asks the customers what they want to do and gives them info on what’s biting depending on the season.

On a typical trip, he’ll take you fishing the bountiful inshore waters where you’ll get to focus on species such as Red Drum, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Cobia, and more.

There’s no minimum age but kids under 5 years are not recommended on full day trips. The charter will cover top-notch custom rods paired with Penn and Shimano reels, as well as lures and licenses. Bring your own gear if you want to focus on fly fishing. You’re also welcome to bring a cooler with any food/drinks of your choosing. And what about fish cleaning? There’s a cleaning station at the dock where you can get your catch cleaned.

Reliance Fishing Charters will take care of everything else!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 30
    US $600
    This morning trip is all about the best inshore action. You'll be going after Spanish Mackeral, Bluefish, Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Cobia, Flounder, and many other amazing species.
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 30
    US $600
    This afternoon trip will see you fishing for some of the best inshore species in the area. You'll be targeting Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Red Drum, Flounder, and whatever else takes the bait.
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    Sunset shelling and fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 4:30 PM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Oct 15
    US $600
    We leave the dock at 4:30. Head out to do some fishing around the inlet. Then we'll hit some sandbars and look for shells and watch the sunset.
    Targeted fish
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    bottom fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $950
    We go 10 -15 miles offshore in search of triggerfish, grouper, snapper, seabass
    Targeted fish
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Seabass (Black)
    Black Seabass
    Triggerfish (Gray)
    Gray Triggerfish
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FAQs about Reliance Fishing Charters

Reliance Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group - 4 Hour Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group - 4 Hour Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group - Sunset shelling and fishing (4 hours)
  • US $950 per group - bottom fishing (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Reliance Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Multimedia System
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Reliance Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Custom rods with Penn and Shimano reels)
  • Lures
  • Fishing License

Reliance Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

Reliance Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing (Bring your own gear)
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Reliance Fishing Charters include:
  • Bluefish
  • Cobia
  • Redfish
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Speckled Trout
  • Triggerfish (Gray)

Meet the Captain

John Canning
Hatteras, North Carolina, United States
4 Fishing Reports
42 Customer reviews
Response time 6 hours
Member since January 2019
Captain John Canning grew up fishing with his father in Barnegat Light, New Jersey. In 1993, he decided to become a captain and move to Hatteras, NC. This is still his home, and he's known as “Jersey” among local captains. In 1997, John bought his first boat called "Jerseys’ Pride." After a couple of years, he decided to go bigger and bought his first "Reliance." From 2001 to 2003, he was working on building a new custom "Reliance" in Deltaville, VA. The boat had his first charter as soon as it arrived in Hatteras, and the rest is history. Captain John loves making friends on his boats, as well as helping them catch a mixed bag of species on his trips. He especially likes taking kids out and getting them their first catch, having them see what it’s all about.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bluefish Bluefish
Cobia Cobia
Redfish Redfish
Seabass (Black) Black Seabass

Boat specs

southern cross (Center console) originally built in 2020. Powered by a 300HP Suzuki engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 30 knots.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Fly Fishing
Bring your own gear
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Multimedia System
Wireless Trolling Motor
Outriggers

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Custom rods with Penn and Shimano reels
Lures
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
No minimum age, life jackets provided
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 25% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 25% 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
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.

Hatteras Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.6 / 5
out of 5 stars from 42 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (49)
Crabbing
Crabbing
Crabbing
+46
Angler rating
32
3
1
0
3
Anglers claimed
Good experience
89%
Friendly captain
94%
Recommend this charter
86%
Appropriate for children
89%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish
84%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 42 reviews
Allison T.
Flemington, NJ
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Crabbing

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip – Crabbing on August 24, 2023
Trip was an absolute blast. Super knowledgeable captain and hearing stories about the area was one of the best parts. The highlight...
Allison T. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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John W.
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with John

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (AM) on August 22, 2023
John W. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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John W. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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Russell P.
Durham, NC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

May fishing trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (AM) on May 30, 2023
Russell P. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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Russell P. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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Zachary D.
Greenville, NC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Hot bite

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (AM) on October 14, 2022
John was a great captain. It was a pleasure to spend the morning fishing with him. He put us on the best bluefish bite I have...
Zachary D. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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Zachary D. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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Mark C.
Oriental, NC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (AM) on June 4, 2022
This was my third charter fishing trip since I moved to North Carolina 2 years ago. Didn’t catch a thing on the first two,...
Mark C. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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Mark C. recommends Reliance Fishing Charters
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