Captain
Jonathon Welch

Member since April 2023 Nags Head, United States
Background
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.

Hey, I'm Captain Jonathon Welch

Nags Head, United States
Background
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.
209
Reviews
35
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

JW Charters

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(209 reviews)
Nags Head
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $333

Fishing Reports

Tis the season
Tis the season
May 10, 2025 Nags Head
Fishing has been great! Get on the books now while theyre around! Cobia trips can require sometime so I highly recommend a minimum of 6 hours for that. Sheepshead, trout, red drum,black drum and bluefish soundside. Spanish mackerel fishing has been pretty good as well if that is something youre looking to do.
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Moovin n groovin
Moovin n groovin
May 4, 2025 Nags Head
Fishing has been good. From speckled trout, chomper blues, and red drum in the sound to sheepshead, black drum, cobia and red drum in the inlet and nearshore theres many options to choose from. Come get in on it if youre in town this week looks beautiful!
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Fall fishin is here
Fall fishin is here
Oct 31, 2024 Nags Head
Been some absolutely fantastic days on the water lately. If youre here dont miss out on some awesome fishing. Red drum, speckled trout, sheepshead, flounder, black drum, blue fish are here. Come n get em.
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Winding down
Winding down
Sep 22, 2024 Nags Head
Its after labor day and the trips are starting to down so now im about to start gearing up for offseason work. I am still running trips and if you see a day closed but still want to go fishing feel free to message me and see what my schedule is. I may be put commercial fishing so it might take me a little bit to respond if we are hauling gear or setting geat but overall fishing is good plenty of stuff around for the ones that want to put some time in. Speckled trout, flounder, red drum, bluefish, sheepshead and black drum have been on the menu.
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Cool weather hot fishing
Cool weather hot fishing
Aug 30, 2024 Nags Head
Pretty weather were having for the middle of august. Temperatures are cooling down and the fishing has been good some trips but thers been some slow ones. Evenings have been seeing some big drum bites along with sea mullet, flounder. Speckled trout have slowed down a bit around the inlet but theres a bunch of blue fish around as well if you can keep them from biting you off. Sheepshead fishing has been good ok some decent sized ones have been getting caught. The triggerfish bite has been hot in the ocean.
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The summer rush is coming to an end
The summer rush is coming to an end
Aug 17, 2024 Nags Head
The fishing has been alot of fun. This time of year the red drum are in full swing it is your best to chance to get on that big trophy red drum. Afternoons and into the night is a good time to get on them. Speckled trout and sheepshead are starting to make there way back and we should see some execeptional catches here in the coming week. Starting to see some more black drum as well. In the ocean on my 6 and 8 hour trips you will see sheesphead, triggerfish, jacks and black sea bass. Fall is a great time of year to be here there are not alot of people and the weather is perfect! Dont miss out!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 209 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (280)
awesome time with Captain John
awesome time with Captain John
October fishing trip
+277
Angler rating
192
12
2
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Caught fish
92%
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5 of 209 reviews
Hassaan A.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   NEW  October 4, 2025
The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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Joshua W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

A great trip as always

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“Inshore/Nearshore (AM) on August 29, 2025
3rd year with John and will continue coming back. After allowing us to push our charter a few days in search of better conditions...
Joshua W. recommends JW Charters
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Mark M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Started slow and finished strong

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“Inshore/Nearshore (PM) on August 4, 2025
My son and I have gone with Captain Jonathan before during our trips to the OBX. He has always been knowledgeable of the good...
Mark M. recommends JW Charters
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Gary S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Above & Beyond

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Inshore/Sound (PM) on May 22, 2025
Absolutely cannot say enough about Capt Jon!ย  He truly listens & cares about what his customers want & goes out of his way...
Gary S. recommends JW Charters
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Justin W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

High temps, kept grinding

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Inshore/Sound (AM) on July 31, 2025
John was very prompt and had us prepared before even meeting.ย  Once we took off he hit a couple holes to gauge the day and...
Justin W. recommends JW Charters
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