The Captain Experiences Story

Our History

Made by outdoorsmen for outdoorsmen

Captain Experiences was born out of need; it's the product of dozens of years spent in the great outdoors and countless hours spent trying to book fishing and hunting trips.

Back in 2019, our Co-Founder, Jonathan Newar, was working in oil and gas finance in his hometown of Houston. Looking to book a fishing trip for his team, he was reminded how painful it is to find quality fishing guides—from phone tag with captains to outdated charter websites with no price transparency, he knew there had to be a better way…

Fast forward to 2020, when Jonathan teamed up with Co-Founder Attison Barnes to launch Captain Experiences—an online platform that helps people find and book fishing, hunting, and other outdoors trips quickly, easily, and with a process they can trust.

captain experiences founders attison and jonathan holding queen snapper

Our Process

Search It, Book It, Live It

The idea is simple: an online platform making booking outdoor sports guides seamless. Our Damn Good Guides are quality, vetted guides, and we know them all on a first-name basis. You can preview the specific details of a trip from target species or skill level down to whether the boat has a restroom or air conditioning. We even back your trip with a 100% Weather Guarantee for your peace of mind.

Our growing network of Damn Good Guides spans across the globe and each one is handpicked by the Captain team. Booking with Captain is so quick and easy, you won't even have time to think about us...until you want to book your next trip.

dog with duck in south texas

“Fresh air is good for the soul, and stepping away from the office for just one morning or afternoon can be the best few hours of your month. It's our goal to Unlock the Outdoors for everyone by making it easy for you to get out there with our Damn Good Guides.”

Jonathan Newar, Co-founder

Our Passion

Minimizing screens and maximizing life

We're avid outdoorsmen, and we're proud to help support and protect the lands we love. We're not just selling trips—we're empowering people to connect with the outdoors and with each other.

We're a new twist on an age-old pastime, blending the excitement and nostalgia of time spent outdoors with cutting-edge tech to make booking a breeze. We're passionate about the outdoors, and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.

boating a large marlin in hawaii

We Cast a Wide Net

1,300+
Destinations
3,000+
Quality, Vetted Guides
300+
Unique Target Species
480,292
Hours Enjoyed
9,000+
5 Star Reviews

Captain in the News

Captain Experiences in Forbes
Captain Experiences in USA Today
Captain Experiences in Outdoor Life
Captain in Field and Stream
Captain in Texas Monthly

Our Team

jonathan newar photo
Jonathan Newar
Co-Founder & CEO
Bucket list trip: Flats And Backwaters On Artificials
attison barnes photo
Attison Barnes
Co-Founder & CTO
Bucket list trip: Tavernier Backcountry Fishing
trey niedzielski photo
Trey Niedzielski
Senior Adventurer Success Manager
Bucket list trip: North Texas Noodling Trips
scott stockdale photo
Scott Stockdale
Senior Guide Onboarding Manager
Bucket list trip: Marquesas Atoll Light Tackle

We're not blowing smoke

  • ★★★★★
    The trip was fantastic

    David L. | October 19, 2026

    Trip: Striper Fishing Lake Whitney

  • ★★★★★
    I’m overall great day. Keith was very informative and a pleasure to spend the day with.

    Jeff R. | October 19, 2026

    Trip: SFL Flats & Backcountry Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Brock was very knowledgeable of the area, we caught a lot of fish. He also clean the fish, provided freezer bags and ice. Will definitely book another trip with Captain Brock. His dad also does offshore trips.

    Chad G. | October 19, 2026

    Trip: 4 Hour Trip – Inshore Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Z was awesome. We really had a great trip! Hadn't been to Key Largo before but we will definitely come back and look up Captain Z!!!

    Robert P. | October 19, 2026

    Trip: 5 - 8 Hour Offshore Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Derek was a lot of fun! We enjoyed it so much!! He was super helpful and made sure to take care of us!

    Richard D. | October 19, 2026

    Trip: Bass Fishing Table Rock Lake

  • ★★★★★
    Five stars!! Great captain, great crew, really great people. I could not have asked for a better experience!

    Duke K. | October 19, 2026

    Trip: Roosterfish, Grouper, Snapper

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great trip. No shortage of fish to say the least. Just an all around great experience.

    Kenny W. | October 19, 2026

    Trip: 4 HR Inshore 24.5' Bay Boat 7AM

  • ★★★★★
    We went two mornings with Joshua. He was very patient and helpful. Always friendly and talking. Although we did not catch any keeper fish, he tried very hard.

    Gary L. | October 19, 2026

    Trip: 4-8 Hour Inshore Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We would 1000% book another trip with Captain Mike! We had so much fun and LOVED seeing and learning about all of the different spots on the bayside of the island! The Yacht Rock playing in the background was the perfect soundtrack for our day on the water! Captain Mike was a fantastic guide, was so communicative during the planning and booking and provided a wonderful experience ~ it was an amazing day on the water!

    Andrea A. | October 18, 2026

    Trip: Yacht Rock Sunset Cruise

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Robert very personable. Put us on some bull reds shortly after the front came through. Caught 4 reds, 34 to 38 inches. Highly recommended.

    Terry A. | October 18, 2026

    Trip: Galveston Jetty Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Great time in perfect weather ! Caught a lot and learned a lot from Jason. If you have never been fishing off the coast call him. He’s patient, knowledgeable and fun to be around. If you have fished off the coast some but want to go out deep sea fishing call Jason. He’s can make that happen too. That’s who I’m going to call for my next trip.

    John B. | October 18, 2026

    Trip: Wrightsville Beach Kid's Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Fantastic time!

    Charles K. | October 17, 2026

    Trip: Full & 3/4 Day Fishing Trips

  • ★★★★★
    This was an amazing experience! I gifted it to my husband and his buddy. They found Captain Vasiliy knowledgeable, had a great time with him and caught quite a bit of fish with him which we all grilled up for dinner. Everything about the experience was A+. The guys hope to to this trip again with the same Captain. Thanks so much Captain Vasiliy for the perfect guys fishing trip! Rosanna Ambrosio I have a great shot of you with the guys heading out but couldn't upload. Will send to your cell and maybe you can :)

    Rosanna G. | October 17, 2026

    Trip: 6 Hour Sarasota Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Put us on fish and overall nice guy. Will definitely fish with cap Kent again!

    Andrew M. | October 16, 2026

    Trip: Destin Fishing The Gulf

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip caught three big reds and lots of black drown is excellent. Highly recommend recommended.

    Greg K. | October 16, 2026

    Trip: Galveston Jetty Trips

  • ★★★★★
    We thoroughly enjoyed our trip with Reel Easy Charters! Captain Larson made our son’s wishes come true of catching a barracuda and a shark. He was very attentive and patient as we learned how to fish with the different reels. Thank you for making our trip one we will always remember!!

    Meaghan B. | October 16, 2026

    Trip: Key West "Flex" Sportfishing

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time! Charles was easy to communicate with during the planning stage and was fun to be around during our trip. He went the extra mile to make sure we had fun and got some big iguanas.

    Katie B. | October 16, 2026

    Trip: Iguana Hunt

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great trip. Michael was an awesome guide.

    Drew K. | October 16, 2026

    Trip: Galveston Summer Fun Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time, especially being the off season! The captain was great and made sure we had a fun experience. Definitely recommend!

    Gavin A. | October 16, 2026

    Trip: Islamorada Tarpon Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Phil was awesome!

    John | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Fly Fishing On Tennessee Rivers

  • ★★★★★
    What a great charter experience. Captain Tony and deck hand Albert were fantastic. They did their best on some rough water to keep us comfortable and on the fish. We got our limit of red snapper and we caught some other species along the way. They were great with my small children. They kept the piles rigged and bait on the hooks. Of all the charters that I’ve taken my family on, this one was by far their favorite. I can’t give a higher recommendation.

    Phil | October 15, 2026

    Trip: 6-8 Hour Red Snapper Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent trip, caught fish the entire time on the water.

    Michael P. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Barrier Reef Snappers And More

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time! We even landed a couple of unexpected sharks.

    Kelly A. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Inshore & Nearshore

  • ★★★★★
    My wife and kids came with me to this charter trip. We had a wonderful time and caught 7 Mahi Mahi in the matter of 1.5 hours. Unfortunately my wife and sons got sea sick so we had to leave very early. Would definitely recommend!

    Steven C. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Punta Cana Luxury Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Drew is a great captain. We tried for some larger snook, got a couple big ones on the line, but due to user error didn’t get them in the boat. We also got some snapper, trout, lady, cat and some other small ones. He was at the ramp early with fresh caught bait. He shared stores and we made good friends with him before we left.

    Kristopher K. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Fort Myers/Sanibel Inshore 21’boat

  • ★★★★★
    Jordan did a great job putting us on fish. He don’t stay on unproductive spots. We had a great time and I highly recommend booking your trip with this guide.

    Tyson R. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Fishing The Florida Panhandle

  • ★★★★★
    Great experience caught lots of fish

    William L. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Port A Family Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Fantastic experience! Captain was extremely accommodating. Tons of Action and a nice bag of game to take home and eat.. top notch equipment the guns are real deal too of line. We’ve been coming to Estero 1-2 times a year for 10 years and so a trip every time and I’m glad I finally found someone I can book every year and have a great experience! Can’t say enough.

    Bradley J. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Iguana Hunt With Iguana DOG!!!

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Tim is hands down one of the best charter captains you could ask for when it comes to inshore fishing! He knows the water like the back of his hand and has an incredible ability to know when and where the fish are going to be. He handled our group of six with ease, making sure everyone was taken care of, having a great time, and, most importantly, getting the opportunity to catch fish. Keeping six people fishing and having a successful trip is no easy task, but Captain Tim made it look effortless with his experience, knowledge, and professionalism. If you’re looking for a captain who knows his waters, puts you on the fish, and makes sure everyone has a memorable day on the water, Captain Tim is your guy! I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an unforgettable inshore fishing experience!

    Chong Y. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: END OF FALL DEEP DISCOUNTS!

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Steve and his charter was top notch. He got us on the fish, he was very knowledgeable of the area and his charters are incredibly kid friendly. He made sure our daughter was able to get hooked up on the fish as well. 10/10 recommend every time.

    Kaleb K. | October 15, 2026

    Trip: Saltwater 101 Family Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome trip I highly recommend them first time ever lobstering and spear fishing we had a blast and we did very well with the crews help def going again

    Walter R. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: 4-6 Hour Spearfishing/Lobster

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Cole is great guide, got us on a lot of fish including sea trout, grouper, puffer fish, snook, pin fish, lady fish, cat fish, and some snapper. We also saw manatees and dolphins.

    Joe C. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: Sarasota Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Brett was awesome. Put us on some action. He was polite and easy to get along with. He went above and beyond, tying to help with taxidermist and make recommendations for dinner and things to do in the area. Will be booking with him again.

    Jadeb A. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: Peacock Bass & Iguana Cast & Blast

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great day with Tyler. He got us on fish caught 14 large mouth. Would definitely recommend fishing with Tyler. Five star experience.

    Michael L. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: Canyon Lake Fishing Adventures

  • ★★★★★
    Me & my 2 daughters had an awesome time with Craig! It was our first crabbing excursion and Craig made it simple & fun! A very knowledgeable and patient guide. We ended up with 18 Dungeoness & 3 Rock Crabs! Coming back next October for sure!

    Randy P. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: Crabbing Garibaldi

  • ★★★★★
    Ronnie was great. Very knowledgeable. professional.

    Michael S. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: Inshore Flats Trip

  • ★★★★★
    David is a very personable captain. He knows the area and adjusted our location to . Eventhough catching fish is never a guarantee, David did his best and delivered. Next time I'm in town I will use his charter.

    Ericxlange L. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: St. Augustine Inshore Trip

  • ★★★★★
    What a great day of fishing with Corey. We learned new techniques and landed some fine catches. I highly recommend this session if you want to improve your skills while having fun.

    Simon G. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: Massachusetts Guided Bass Trips

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Jon was amazing! He was fantastic with my two boys! We had the best day! Will definitely book with him again! Such a great experience!

    Michelle B. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: 2-Hour Kids Trip - 26’ Pathfinder

  • ★★★★★
    Anthony was great company and he knew just where to take us so we could have a good trip! Even got to see dolphins and catch a shark which was unique for us… I recommend Anthony and I will 100% book with him again next time we make it out to Galveston!

    Jordan A. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: 4 Hour Trip - Bay & Jetty

  • ★★★★★
    Bryan was great with our kids! We had a great time.

    Abbey G. | October 14, 2026

    Trip: 4 - 6 Hours -Trout

  • ★★★★★
    This was my son’s first time out salt water fishing. He had the best time! Landed some giant red fish. Captain Christopher will definitely be our go to guy in St. Augustine, until he decides to hang it up, which I hope isn’t for a long long time.

    Windham T. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: Half Day Or Full Day - Nearshore

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Ronnie was great! Although we didn’t catch our limits we did catch some red. I caught a gar, and my wife took home the pride of catching the most and the biggest. All in all, I would for sure recommend Captain Ronnie, he was personable, kind and wanted us to catch fish so he stayed out a little longer than he had to for us to catch. We did, and I’m grateful because this was a birthday gift for my wife. She had a great time. I didn’t have any pictures of her with her catches. The sunrise was what dreams are made of. The picture doesn’t do it justice…it was beautiful!

    Matthew A. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: Inshore Flats Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had an awesome time with George!! He was so kind and accommodating to our special needs son! We were on the fish as soon as we left the bay and caught several keepers to try in the pan. I would recommend George to anyone that is looking for a good time with a highly knowledgeable captain.

    Lonnie S. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: St Petersburg Inshore Fishing!!!

  • ★★★★★
    Great Captains! Great trip! Will do it again.

    Ryan M. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: Offshore - State Waters 32'

  • ★★★★★
    I booked this trip for my grandson's 11th birthday and I'm so glad I did. We had a wonderful time with Captain Joseph! Thank you so much. I want to take my other grandsons out also, so I will be booking another trip when they come to visit.

    Theresa R. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: Space Coast Inshore Flats Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Took my 14 year old son fishing with Grant and I was so impressed with his knowledge and hunger for perfecting his craft. My son has followed Grant’s videos for a while, so he was on cloud nine with him! Grant was so kind and patient with my son. We both learned a lot and caught some big ones! Highly recommend Grant, it was a true privilege to fish with him. Lake Austin is beautiful by the way.

    Seth A. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: Big Swim Baits For Big A** Bass

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome trip! Ron really put my son and I on the peacock bass!! Made for a great 8th birthday for Reese!

    Blake H. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: Weekend Shoreline Peacock Bass

  • ★★★★★
    Trey did an awesome job! He put us on fish right away and kept us in the mix almost the whole time. Definitely worth the trip!

    Gene M. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: Chasing Fins On The Coastal Bend

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Jimmy was great! Super friendly and a great guide.

    Carl C. | October 13, 2026

    Trip: OBX Inshore Trips

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