Captain
John Abel

Member since May 2020 Manteo, United States
Background
Capt. Abel started fishing at the age of 3, started deck handing at the age of 9 and hasn't stopped yet. Being Active Duty Coast Guard has allowed Capt. Abel to fish some of the most spectacular fisheries in the world, as well as learn those techniques to bring it all into one package. From successfully chasing giant blue marlin and yellowfin tuna in Africa to owning one of the most successful charter operations in Kodiak chasing king salmon and halibut, he hasn't done it all yet, but he's getting there.
Techniques
All of it, if it swims, we love to chase it, but as always the bigger the quarry the more excited we get.

Hey, I'm Captain John Abel

Manteo, United States
Background
Capt. Abel started fishing at the age of 3, started deck handing at the age of 9 and hasn't stopped yet. Being Active Duty Coast Guard has allowed Capt. Abel to fish some of the most spectacular fisheries in the world, as well as learn those techniques to bring it all into one package. From successfully chasing giant blue marlin and yellowfin tuna in Africa to owning one of the most successful charter operations in Kodiak chasing king salmon and halibut, he hasn't done it all yet, but he's getting there.
Techniques
All of it, if it swims, we love to chase it, but as always the bigger the quarry the more excited we get.
19
Reviews
6
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

C-Legs Sportfishing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(18 reviews)
Manteo
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $1,400

Fishing Reports

Bluefin bonanza!!!!
Bluefin bonanza!!!!
Feb 22, 2023 Manteo
I never put out the report for our trip on Weds Feb 22nd, my bad. So this chik Erin hit me up, "I wana catch a bluefin." Let's do it, so I made a few calls and got a trip together for her and off we went. Reports first thing were slow and we stayed away from the fleet as is my nature. About 20 min into the troll we came across a good school and 5 of the 6 rods went down. 1 pulled off right away, another broke off, we leadered and released 2 and Erin put a whooping on her 100lbr that we killed. Rest of the day was slow, we had a few good marks but they didn't want to play. Was a great day and wished I packed shorts. The next day I hauled to Ohio and am up her a few more days playing on the rivers for some steelhead.
Continue reading
Lots of Bluefin to be had
Lots of Bluefin to be had
Feb 9, 2023 Manteo
Fished with a good crew on Thurs the 9th and killed a nice 100lb bluefin right away. We got setup again and released another in the 125lb class. We moved off looking for some of those butterball blackfin but the weather started to change. We decided that we had what we came for and went home intime to beat the winds.
Continue reading
Bluefin Time is NOW!!!
Bluefin Time is NOW!!!
Jan 30, 2023 Manteo
Took a crew out Jan 29th looking to find a giant. Caught a few nice blackfin and we got our first big bite. Morgan hopped in the chair and worked that fish for almost 3hrs before the hooked pulled right at the boat, nice fish in the 400lb class. We ran back up and immediately killed a nice eater sized wahoo. Then we got 2 serious bites, 1 which broke us off. The 2nd one Maddie was working, that fish meant business but spent its energy on some serious runs in the first 2 rounds. Maddie made quick work of it and at 1hr and 20min we stuck the gaff. She started crying with tears of joy which nearly made me cry. Amazing to watch peoples reactions on the adventures. The fish tapes 100in with a 75in girth, by the numbers comes out to 703lbs.
Continue reading
Beach sharking
Beach sharking
Jan 20, 2023 Manteo
What does a Capt do when he has a day off, hang out on the beach of course. Spent some days lately chasing sharks on the beach here in Hatteras.
Continue reading
Blackfin Tuna for dinner
Blackfin Tuna for dinner
Jan 12, 2023 Manteo
Slow day looking for a giant bluefin, its still a little early but any day now the bite will be on. We took our couple of consolation blackfin for dinner tho.
Continue reading
Winter tuna time!!
Winter tuna time!!
Jan 7, 2023 Manteo
We're into our winter tuna mode, yellowfin, blackfin, bigeyes and the bluefin have made a very strong showing the last few days. The trophy season won't last long at this rate, once it closes your opportunity to keep of of these monsters is gone for the year, so book your giant bluefin trip soon.
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 19 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (19)
Same trolling spread as the big charter boats, same fishing, same locations, just smaller boat. Recommended!
Four hour trip with Captain John and Owen
Four hour trip with Captain John and Owen
+16
Angler rating
17
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
85%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
85%
Satisfied with the boat
92%
Caught fish
75%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 19 reviews
Randy C.
Reading, PA
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

12 hr sport fishing trip

VERIFIED   12 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore on July 5, 2023
Went out to the shelf fishing in 900 to 1000 ft caught 10 Mahi Mahi then hooked up on a blue marlin about 10 ft long and 500...
Randy C. recommends C-Legs Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Randy C. recommends C-Legs Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read more
Brian T.
Winchester, VA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun trip

VERIFIED   12 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore on July 13, 2022
Great Capt. and great experience. Was a little nervous about a smaller boat going offshore for my sons first time that far...
Brian T. recommends C-Legs Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Brian T. recommends C-Legs Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read more
Randy H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   12 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore on October 12, 2023
Well worth the price,,the Captain put us on the fish
Randy H. recommends C-Legs Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Abel Captain replied
Read more
Austin C.
Nottingham, Maryland
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain works to make you have a great experience

VERIFIED   12 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore on May 29, 2021
Captain John does an amazing job of puting you on the fish. He is motivated and loves what he does. Trolling was slow...
Austin C. recommends C-Legs Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Austin C. recommends C-Legs Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read more
Nicholas B.
Manteo, North Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

8 hour amberjack

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip โ€“ Nearshore on August 12, 2020
Overall awesome day with captain John and Eddy fishing for amberjack! We caught our live bait before heading about 20 miles...
Nicholas B. recommends C-Legs Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Abel Captain replied
Read more
  • Settings