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Jonathon Welch
Captain

Jonathon Welch

Nags Head, United States
Angler's choice
250+ reviews
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.

Charter

JW Charters

JW Charters

Nags Head
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $350

Rating

4.9
270 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

98%
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
92%
Caught fish

All reviews (270)

Showing 1 – 5 of 270 reviews
  • Kelsey Diehl
    Kelsey Diehl
    Repeat angler
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2023
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Charter! Fun, caught fish!

    4 Hour Trip – Sound Fishing Trip • 3 adults

    My two friends and I came in from Charleston, SC and were looking for a laid back and fun day of fishing. We had a great experience with John. He was professional, patient and extremely helpful throughout the day. He made sure we had a good time, was happy to answer any questions we had and went above and beyond to make the day enjoyable. We had a great day on the water, caught a nice amount of Sheephead fish and would definitely recommend this charter for anyone looking for a fun, relaxed and well run charter trip.

    Reported catch:
    Sheepshead
    Response from Captain

    Thank you Kelsey!! Im glad yall had a great time and I greatly appreciate your review it was a pleasure meeting yall and safe travels!

  • John Stanish
    John Stanish
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Killer last minute trip

    6 hour- Ocean • 4 adults

    A group of 4 of us went out with Capt. Jon on a ocean trip with a days notice and he didn't fail to put us on the meat! We mentioned we didn't want to troll for Macks for hours (like plenty of other charters do), and he happily obliged us to venture out to fish some reefs to see what we could find. We ended the day with plenty of Mack's and Triggerfish to pack the freezer to go along with the good weather and conversation. Will definitely book again next time we're in town!

    Reported catch:
    Spanish Mackerel
    Gray Triggerfish
    Response from Captain

    Thank you John!! Glad it worked out for us!! Congrats!

  • Kelsey Sewell
    Kelsey Sewell
    us
    Connecticut, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip!

    2 Hour Sunset Fishing • 3 adults • 1 child

    We had a great trip with Captain Jon! This was our 8 year old’s first time fishing on a boat and we just wanted him to catch something and Captain Jon made it happen. We initially started trying for drum, but when the bites weren’t happening, we moved to try to get something on the line for my son. We had fun catching a little bit if everything bluefish, rays, croakers, pin fish, and sand perch. Thanks for a great experience for my kiddo!

    Reported catch:
    Bluefish (Tailor)
    Response from Captain

    Thank you, Kelsey! Im glad yall had a great time! I hope to aee yall again!

  • Joan Turner
    Joan Turner
    Repeat angler
    us
    South Carolina, US
    Member since 2025
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Jonathon + Drums = Best Fishing trip ever! :)

    2 Hour Sunset Fishing • 2 adults

    As Captain Jonathon said “we warmed up catching croakers and then we ended with the big drums!” Awesome trip! Not only did we catch some amazing fish, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset while fishing. The captain let you do as little or as much as you wanted to do. He was patient and kind and even gave us ladies time to take pictures. We made memories that we will talk about over and over in the future. Don’t hesitate, book this trip!

    Response from Captain

    Thank you, Joan Im glad yall had a great time!!

  • Christian Mathews
    Christian Mathews
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    One of the best!

    4 Hour Trip – Sound Fishing Trip - 3:30 PM • 3 adults

    Wanted to surprise my dad for fathers day, We rolled the dice, booking a 4 hour trip with Johnathan. We have been on hundreds of charters and I can honestly say this was by far one of our favorites. We had a great time, and John put us on the fish. Johnathan was one of the best captains we’ve had. Being raised here his knowledge of the area and fishing skills are unmatched. Just wanted to say thanks, and we can wait for next year! FISH ON - The Mathews

    Reported catch:
    Black Drum
    Sheepshead
    Response from Captain

    Christian thank you so for the words honestly. Yall were awesome and eger to listen and learn from me. It was a pleasure meeting yall and I cant wait to get on some sheep and cobia with yall next year!

Real catches shared by our community

  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    Great day with Captain John! Caught some great fish including a 45” bull red!! About to go eat my sheepshead at the hook and cook!
    William W.
    William W.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    Great Charter! Fun, caught fish!
    Kelsey D.
    Kelsey D.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    Great Captain!!
    Tony F.
    Tony F.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    Great trip!
    Kelsey S.
    Kelsey S.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    Killer last minute trip
    John S.
    John S.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    Captain Jonathon + Drums = Best Fishing trip ever! :)
    Joan T.
    Joan T.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    good fishing
    Mark H.
    Mark H.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    Slayed em
    Nicholas F.
    Nicholas F.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    August fishing trip
    Ryan B.
    Ryan B.
  • JW Charters
    JW ChartersNags Head, NC
    Big Red Drums
    Michael R.
    Michael R.

What's biting with JW Charters in Nags Head

The big crowds and busy beaches of summer are over, but there's still plenty going on on the water. The first few Bluefin are showing up offshore, while huge Red Drum swarm the sounds.

Top catches for October

Fishing reports

A smiling angler proudly displays a large Redfish while seated on a boat, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Mixed Bag: Flounder, Trout & Spanish

Sep 10, 2026 • Nags Head
The fishing had been great! Temps are starting to cool down and the bites are heating up. Flounder season is in for a few more days. Sheepshead, red drum, speckled trout, bluefish, spanish in the sound. Trigger, spanish, ablies, seabass and some lingering cobia in the ocean.
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A happy angler proudly displaying a large Redfish against a stunning sunset backdrop while out on the water.

Big drum season

Jul 24, 2026 • Nags Head
Plenty of fish to be caught out there! Big red drum are around if this is a bucketlist fish for you! Good chances of multiple citations in a trip evening can tend to be the best bite for those but morning can produce as well. Sheepshead fishing is getting better too around the bridge and speckled trout is open as well. Lets go fishing!
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A young angler proudly displaying a large Sheepshead fish at the dock, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Lets go fishing!

Jun 25, 2026 • Nags Head
Theres been some good fishing lately but we’ve been having to really work for it though. Black drum, sheepshead and some overslot drum have pretty much been the best for trips in the sound. Havent had any 6 hours to get out there fish the nearshore wrecks but the fishing out there has been good. Triggerfish, amberjacks, and spanish mackerel are abundant. Hope to see yall soon!
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Angler proudly displaying a large Cobia while fishing on a boat in clear waters.

Summers almost here!

Jun 7, 2026 • Nags Head
The fishing has been good here lately. Spending some time in the ocean alot on the nicer days. Cobias are still making a show here definitely a nice class a fish around just have to be in the right place at the right time. Long trips 6-8 hours will we your best bet with those for the next couple weeks. Some good spanish mackerel fishing as well. Trigger fish are starting to make a show expecting to see some of those here soon. 6-8 hour trips are best for trips in the ocean. In sound sheepshead, red drum, black drum and bluefish are in the sound. Lets get you out there dont wait till the last minute send me a message!
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Three anglers proudly displaying their catch, including a large fish, on a sunny day at the dock in Hilton Head Island.

Lets go fishing

May 23, 2026 • Nags Head
Definitely some fishing to be had. Cobia, spanish, sheepshead, bonita mackerel in the ocean. Red drum, sheepshead, bluefish and trout in the sound. I have a few spots left this week.
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Two anglers proudly displaying their large Redfish while fishing in open waters.

Pretty fishing

Apr 28, 2026 • Nags Head
Theres been some good bluefish and red drum fishing recently. Things are starting to make a turn on this end of the point if you see a a day you like feel free to reach out!
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