JW Charters

There’s a fish with your name on it in Nags Head and JW Charters will help you catch it! Having logged many hours on these changing tides, Captain Jonathon can tell you all about them.

These waters are known for Black Drum, Striped Bass, Bluefish, Cobia, Flounder, Redfish, Black Seabass, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout, Gray Triggerfish, and more – with any luck, it won’t be long before "Fish on!"

On these trips, you can expect to troll and bottom fish using light or heavy tackle. For the more adventurous among you, there’s spearfishing and bowfishing (must bring your own equipment).

Planning a family adventure? Kids are absolutely welcome, just make sure to bring a life vest for them if you think they will not fit in one of mine. Also, remember to bring snacks so that nobody gets grumpy on an empty belly!

Capt. Jonathon operates a 20’ May-Craft center console that holds up to 4 passengers. It comes with all the essentials. Rods, reels, and tackle are ready for you, along with lures. Live bait is included, but you should ask the captain whether you’ll be catching it yourself.

The charter boat covers your fishing license, so all you have to do is look forward to your trip! Have in mind that some fish may have harvest limits or closed seasons. Simply ask and your captain can tell you more.

Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and bottled water. If you’d like to bring other drinks, just ask. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, so long as you avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

JW Charters will make it easy for you to go fishing in Nags Head. So, how about booking that trip?



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 8:30 AM
    $300
    This trip you can either choose to fish, cruise with dolphins, or walk around an island looking for shells and driftwood! Message the captain for more details.
  • Private trip
    2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 11:00 AM
    $300
    This trip you can either choose to fish, cruise with dolphins, or walk around an island looking for shells and driftwood! Message the captain for more details.
  • Private trip
    2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 1:30 PM
    $300
    This trip you can either choose to fish, cruise with dolphins, or walk around an island looking for shells and driftwood! Message the captain for more details.
  • Private trip
    2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 4:00 PM
    $300
    This trip you can either choose to fish, cruise with dolphins, or walk around an island looking for shells and driftwood! Message the captain for more details.
  • Private trip
    2 Hour Sunrise Sound Fishing/Cruise
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    $300
    This trip you can either choose to fish, cruise with dolphins, or walk around an island looking for shells and driftwood! Message the captain for more details.
  • Private trip
    2 Hour Sunset Fishing/Cruise
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 PM
    $300
    This trip you can either choose to fish the sunset or just hang out with the family and enjoying the sunset on the water with an ice cold beverage! Message captain for more details!
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 5 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    $450
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (Noon)
    In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 11:00 AM
    $450
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:30 PM
    $450
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip –Inshore/Nearshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    $650
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip –Inshore/Nearshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    $650
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip- Nearshore/Inshore
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    $850
There are 28 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about JW Charters

JW Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $300 per group - 2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise (2 hours)
  • $300 per group - 2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise (2 hours)
  • $300 per group - 2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise (2 hours)
  • $300 per group - 2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise (2 hours)
  • $300 per group - 2 Hour Sunrise Sound Fishing/Cruise (2 hours)
  • $300 per group - 2 Hour Sunset Fishing/Cruise (2 hours)
  • $450 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (AM) (4 hours)
  • $450 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (Noon) (4 hours)
  • $450 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (PM) (4 hours)
  • $650 per group - 6 Hour Trip –Inshore/Nearshore (AM) (6 hours)
  • $650 per group - 6 Hour Trip –Inshore/Nearshore (PM) (6 hours)
  • $850 per group - 8 Hour Trip- Nearshore/Inshore (8 hours)

When you book a trip with JW Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with JW Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Fishing License

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

JW Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Fly Fishing (Must bring your own equipment)
  • Drift Fishing
  • Bowfishing (Must bring your own equipment )
  • Spearfishing (Must bring your own equipment)

Top targeted fish species with JW Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Black Drum
  • Bluefish
  • Cobia
  • Flounder
  • Redfish
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Sheepshead
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Speckled Trout
  • Triggerfish (Gray)

Meet the Captain

Jonathon Welch
Nags Head, North Carolina, United States
15 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
82 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since April 2023
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
I was raised here on the Outer Banks and my love for fishing stretches back to when I was a young kid. I’ve spent many of days and nights on the water and can’t wait to share my experiences. After high school I joined the United States Marine Corps in which I spent 4 years serving this beautiful nation. After getting out I began commercial fishing on a pelagic long line fishing vessel. Needless to say I have a few tricks up my sleeve so come join me on the water for a memorable experience.

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Bass (Striped) Striped Bass
Black Drum Black Drum
Bluefish Bluefish

Boat specs

May-Craft (Center console) originally built in 2017. Powered by a 150HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 30 knots.

Length
20 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Fly Fishing
Must bring your own equipment
Drift Fishing
Bowfishing
Must bring your own equipment
Spearfishing
Must bring your own equipment

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
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
Bring a life jacket for younger children
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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

Nags Head Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Recent Fishing Reports

Falling into place
Falling into place
September 24, 2023
Fall fishing is amung us and its been fun. Catches of red drum, flounder and some trout. Book now and get in on some of the action!
Continue reading
Flounder season
Flounder season
September 18, 2023
Weve got 2 weeks of flounder and this fishing is good. Got some pups and a couple flounder for the boys to take home and eat.
Continue reading
That time of year
That time of year
September 12, 2023
Bookings have really slowed down for me as summer comes to an end. The drum bite is still good and the trout fishing hasnt been bad. Definitely still working for them but weve managed to catch a few. Sheepshead fishing is still up and down its nice when i can get a day to catch a handful of them. Flounder season starts friday and ive been catching those as well.
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 82 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (88)
2 hour fishing
2 hour fishing
2 hour fishing
+85
Angler Rating
74
7
1
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
43%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 82 reviews
Joshua W.
Red Bank, NJ
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6 Hour near shore

VERIFIED   NEW  6 Hour Trip –Inshore/Nearshore (AM) on August 29, 2023
Still a bit slow on the bite with water temps so high but John was able to find us on keeper Sheepshead to take home for dinner....
Joshua W. recommends JW Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jonathon Welch Captain replied

Michael C.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

A 4hr trip with Captain John

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (AM) on July 22, 2023
We had a great trip. Captain John put us on the fish our first stop. We had pretty good luck with the weather and the bites....
Michael C. recommends JW Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Jonathon Welch Captain replied

Matthew S.
Henrico, Virginia
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Four Hours Trip with Cpt Jonathan

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (PM) on May 28, 2023
Had a wonderful time fishing with Cpt Jonathan. Boat was clean and well equipped. Cpt. Jonathan clearly has plenty of fishing...
Matthew S. recommends JW Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jonathon Welch Captain replied

Sarah T.
Roanoke, Virginia
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

2 hour Great Trip

VERIFIED   2 Hour Sound Fishing/Cruise on May 16, 2023
I had a great morning with Jonathon! He was very professional and prepared with all of the safety necessities for a boat as...
Sarah T. recommends JW Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jonathon Welch Captain replied

Michael T.
Frame, WV
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Captain, Will Book Again!

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip – Inshore/Sound (AM) on September 20, 2023
Captain John is very knowledgeable and took time to answer our questions and gave great tips for future fishing too. We saw...
Michael T. recommends JW Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jonathon Welch Captain replied