Captain
John-Mark Fortner

Member since August 2023 Galveston, United States
Background
I started fishing when I was about 14 years old and after that first fishing trip, you couldn't keep me from the water. I have a passion for nature and all the creatures in it. I always get asked about catches that I have had and I enjoy talking about them but the ones that stick out to me the most are the ones that I've given to others. I love watching the pure joy someone gets from catching a giant.
Techniques
I enjoy many different styles of fishing, but I love using the big rods and fishing the bottom when I have customers. When that rod is in the rod holder and you are waiting on the fish to bite, there is something about hearing that drag screaming and seeing faces light up with excitement when the fish starts taking line!

Hey, I'm Captain John-Mark Fortner

Galveston, United States
Background
I started fishing when I was about 14 years old and after that first fishing trip, you couldn't keep me from the water. I have a passion for nature and all the creatures in it. I always get asked about catches that I have had and I enjoy talking about them but the ones that stick out to me the most are the ones that I've given to others. I love watching the pure joy someone gets from catching a giant.
Techniques
I enjoy many different styles of fishing, but I love using the big rods and fishing the bottom when I have customers. When that rod is in the rod holder and you are waiting on the fish to bite, there is something about hearing that drag screaming and seeing faces light up with excitement when the fish starts taking line!
Anglers Choice
Verified

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(208 reviews)
Angler's choice
Galveston
 5 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $525

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 208 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (342)
Great Fishing Trip with me and my Dad
Great Fishing Trip with me and my Dad
Great Fishing Trip with me and my Dad
+339
Angler rating
206
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
98%
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Showing:
5 of 208 reviews
Rob D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Felt like fishing with a friend

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Bay & Jetty (PM) on June 23, 2025
Captain was great and made sure we were having a good time. We fished a couple different spots which enabled us to catch different...
Rob D. recommends Big Tex Fishing Charters
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Marla F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun trip!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Bay & Jetty (AM) on June 13, 2025
We had a great trip. Caught some fish right from the start. The captain was wonderful with my 9 year old and had a good sense...
Marla F. recommends Big Tex Fishing Charters
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Matt P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing Guide and Trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Bay & Jetty (AM) on May 29, 2025
One of the best guided trips I have been on. We caught several large fish, including a big jack crevalle, two over-slot redfish,...
Matt P. recommends Big Tex Fishing Charters
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Emily W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fulfilled a kids dream!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Bay & Jetty (AM) on October 2, 2024
John is an excellent captain. He knows where the fish are, and what they want to eat. We caught a bunch of fish, everyone checked...
Emily W. recommends Big Tex Fishing Charters
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Theresa S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome time!!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Bay & Jetty on September 15, 2024
John and Pedro were wonderful. Thanks for a great experience!! They definitely knew where to fish and what they were doing....
Theresa S. recommends Big Tex Fishing Charters
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