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
(199 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 200 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (327)
Don\u2019t Hesitate
4 Hour Trip - Bay & Jetty (AM)
\u201cWe\u2019re slaying sea monsters, we\u2019ve won this great fight!\u201d
+324
Angler rating
198
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
97%
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Showing:
5 of 200 reviews
Gabrielle B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome fishing experience!!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Bay & Jetty (AM) on October 3, 2024
We had the best time on Big Tex fishing charter! Our captain was so nice, so informative and just very easy going! He had a...
Gabrielle B. recommends Big Tex Fishing Charters
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Eric N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip โ€“ Bay & Jetty (AM) on July 17, 2025
Highly recommend John has great equipment very easy guy to talk to an fun to fish with
Eric N. recommends Big Tex Fishing Charters
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Troy H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great morning on the water

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Bay & Jetty (AM) on May 23, 2025
Trip started strong with a number of trout and sheepshead landed. Moved out to catch some sharks but none were bitting. The...
Troy H. recommends Big Tex Fishing Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
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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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