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Salty Charters Customer Reviews
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4.95/5
From 44verified reviews
Jack AI Customer Experience Snapshot
Captain John consistently puts clients on speckled trout and other inshore species around the Manteo area, with many groups catching their legal limits. His deep knowledge of local waters comes from growing up on the Outer Banks, and he takes time to teach proper saltwater techniques to freshwater anglers. Multiple reviews mention successful trout fishing trips, with some groups catching nine or more fish that made excellent dinners and fish tacos. Customers appreciate John's patient teaching style and down-to-earth personality that makes every trip educational and entertaining. He shares local historical knowledge and stories about the Manteo area, often including bonus dolphin encounters during trips. Working alongside his daughter Kate and mate Kayla, John creates a family-friendly atmosphere that works especially well with children. Many customers book repeat trips annually and consistently recommend him to others.
Photos from Real Customers
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All Reviews
John E
October 2, 2025
7:00 AM - 11:00 AMI had an excellent experience with Captain John from start to finish. He was respectful, professional, and clearly very knowledgeable. What stood out most was his willingness to teach and explain things in depth. He didn’t just guide the trip, he made it an opportunity to learn, answering every question with patience and detail. His professionalism and approachable demeanor made the outing both enjoyable and educational. I would highly recommend Captain John to anyone looking for not only a safe and smooth trip but also a chance to gain real insight from someone with deep expertise.
0Wesley S
September 18, 2025Captain John was excellent all around. We caught a few fish, and he put in the effort all day, trying different spots to keep us on the bite. He was also great to talk to, which made the trip even more enjoyable. I’ll definitely be booking with him again and highly recommend his charter.
0Alex M
September 6, 2025We booked a full-day trip and couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The weather was perfect, and the captain clearly knew exactly where to go. We hooked our first fish within five minutes of reaching the first spot, and the action didn’t slow down from there. In fact, we ended up heading back four hours early because we had already caught so many big fish that we ran out of cooler space. It was that good. Highly recommend this charter to anyone looking to have a great time on the water.
0Paulette S
September 3, 2025We had a great afternoon on Salty Charters with Captain John and his daughter. He was very considerate, checking in often to make sure we were comfortable with the choppy water. We ended up landing four bluefish and had a really enjoyable trip overall.
0Kathryn H
August 17, 2025Captain John has a great personality and made the trip enjoyable from start to finish. Even with a hurricane off the coast, he knew where to go and put us right on the fish—we ended up hitting our limit. We’ll definitely be booking another trip with him next time we’re in the OBX.
0Scott W
August 15, 2025Captain John and his daughter were fantastic on our trip. They clearly know the waters of the Outer Banks and where to find quality fish. While we wish we could’ve landed a few more, it just gives us a good reason to come back and book again. If you’re considering a trip, go with Captain John—you’ll have a great time on the water.
0Chel S
August 13, 2025Captain John and first mate Katie were fantastic. They were laid back, patient, and easy to communicate with throughout the trip. They took the time to teach, answer questions, and make sure everyone felt comfortable. Best of all, they made sure we had fish to bring home for dinner. We’ll definitely be booking with them again.
0Hunter B
July 31, 2025Captain John Speener was excellent. He and his daughter took great care of our group of five and made sure everyone was comfortable throughout the trip. They put us right on the fish we were targeting and kept things running smoothly from start to finish. We truly appreciate the effort and local knowledge. Highly recommend this charter to anyone looking for a reliable trip on the water. Thanks again, Captain.
0Nick C
July 29, 2025Captain John was outstanding. He put us right in front of a massive pod of dolphins, then followed it up with a strong mahi bite that kept things moving. What really made the trip stand out was how kind and patient he was with my special needs children. He handled everything with care and made sure everyone felt comfortable and included. We had a great time and would highly recommend him.
0Erik Bertel
July 22, 20253:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Max 6 guestsKnowledgeable, and accommodating to the whole group. Took us to multiple locations. Lots of fun. Highly recommend using him as your Charter Guide.
0Matt J
July 22, 2025Captain John turned a tough day on the water into a great experience for our family. With high water temperatures, strong winds, and many boats coming back empty, we knew it wouldn’t be easy to fill the cooler. Still, he stayed focused and managed to get us on some fish. We brought our two sons along for their first trip, and he was incredibly patient and attentive with them the entire time. His knowledge and steady approach made a big difference, and we truly enjoyed the day. We highly recommend Captain John.
0Beth F
July 21, 20257:00 AM - 11:00 AMThere isn’t a way that I can effectively put into word how great of an experience it was fishing with Captain Jon. He was ready to go by the time we got to the dock and we even got out on the water a bit early. I fish fresh water a lot so I was very out of my depth in salt water and he took the time to explain and teach us the techniques that he uses to fish. The fishing hasn’t been great in the area so he wasn’t able to get us on any fish(to be fair the other captains in the area he was talking to weren’t catching any either but we did get some bait fish which was still fun) but we still had a great time. He was great to talk to and very down to earth, funny and made the experience 10/10! When we come down again next year we will absolutely be booking with him again. He’s going to be our go to!
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