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trip for his team, he was reminded how painful it is to find quality fishing guides—from phone tag with captains to outdated charter websites with no price transparency, he knew there had to be a better way…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

1,100+
Destinations
2,800+
Quality, Vetted Guides
290+
Unique Target Species
387,272
Hours Enjoyed
7,000+
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

  • ★★★★★
    Spencer did wonderful with my family. Got us on a variety of species topped off with an epic tarpon fight right into the sunset! He went above and beyond for us and knew exactly how to get it done!

    Joseph P. | May 18, 2026

    Trip: Key West Silver Kings And More

  • ★★★★★
    Good guy. Appreciated him taking time to make sure my wife had a good time and caught plenty of fish.

    Anthony P. | May 18, 2026

    Trip: Biloxi Inshore Light Tackle Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Tyson had us on fish in less than 20 minutes. He taught us his method and, following as best we could, landed big redfish, snook, catfish, and even a tarpon! His experience, expertise, and sense of humor made this trip something that exceeded our dreams! Thank you Tyson!

    Dennis L. | May 18, 2026

    Trip: Clearwater Florida Flats Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    The trip was amazing He put us on plenty of iguanas And was very informative

    Cory B. | May 17, 2026

    Trip: Multi Boat Iguana Hunt

  • ★★★★★
    Captain David was knowledgeable and friendly. He worked hard to give us a good fishing trip. We highly recommend his services!

    Ernest N. | May 17, 2026

    Trip: Port Aransas Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Bill was awesome. He helped my daughter with strategies and techniques on how to catch spotted trout. He put us on fish and our target fish spotted trout we caught. We had a great day.

    Mark D. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: Jacksonville Inshore Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Fun trip, not too pricey. Captain was very helpful along the way. Would definitely recommend this service to friends.

    Zachary T. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: 2 Hour Fishing "Matinee"

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Dave worked hard to make our fishing trips successful! We will differently go fishing with him again. 100 % recommend!!!

    Ernest N. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: Port Aransas Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Such a great experience! With a beginner fisher and a seasoned fisherman he handled us both super well. Very attentive and proactive. Didn’t make us sit in the same spot for hours, really got to move around the bay and catch what’s out there.

    Vantazia F. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: Choctawhatchee Fishing & Cruising

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time!

    Curtis E. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: Bull Reds And Shark Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Nick was very good. He seemed quite knowledgeable and was easy to talk to. Sadly the Tarpon weren't cooperating that morning. A few hits was all we had. We liked Nick and we would recommend him to anyone.

    Terrence G. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: Reel Salty Sport Tarpon Trips

  • ★★★★★
    Fantastic Bass fishing day with Jake on Lake Travis…!!!! Highly recommend and will definitely be back again soon.

    Joe G. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: Town Lake Bass Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Mackie was awesome. Low key, funny, knowledgeable and got us on 6 different species!

    Mark J. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: Louisiana Inshore Slam

  • ★★★★★
    Two ladies had a great time fishing with Captain Rob He did an outstanding job

    Barbara R. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: The Sebastian Inlet

  • ★★★★★
    We had an amazing time with Jason! He was knowledgeable, patient, and made the whole trip fun from start to finish. He helped us find fish quickly, kept the experience exciting, and made sure everyone was comfortable and having a great time. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip- highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun and memorable fishing experience!

    Kaylee M. | May 16, 2026

    Trip: Federal Waters Deep Sea Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Chase and Matt were very sociable and worked hard to get us on fish! They were also great with my 5 and 7 year old for their first time out fishing on a boat.

    Kyra B. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: Offshore Jigging / Trolling

  • ★★★★★
    This was my third trip with Captain Izzy, and like always it was great experience and enjoyed myself immensely. He is a great Captain doing everything he can to give his clients an experience they will remember. I highly recommend him if you’re looking for a great day of fishing. He is not just a good Captain, but a great guy that’s sincere in giving his clients the best time possible. Thanks again Captain Izzy for another great day fishing. See you again soon.

    Steven W. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: One Person 4Hr AM Jetty Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Very knowledgeable, awesome guide. Enjoyed hanging with him and catching som3 big blues

    Shane B. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: Catfish Noodling Trips

  • ★★★★★
    Corey was great. My wife and I took a weekend trip down to Port Aransas for our anniversary and decided to book a half day fishing trip with him. He took us to several spots throughout the morning. While we ended up with four trout in the cooler, we were constantly catching fish….lots of smaller trout, a few oversized ones, and even a monster redfish. All in all, it was a really fun day on the water. Corey is personable, easygoing, and made the whole trip feel relaxed and low-stress. It was a great way to spend the morning and I’d definitely book with him again.

    Mark C. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: Port Aransas Inshore Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time. Jake was amazing and was very patient with my 6 year old granddaughter. I would recommend him for sure. We caught fish and saw many dolphins. All around nice trip.

    Lynn K. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: 4hr 6hr Or 8hr Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Great charter, with knowledgeable staff

    Adam C. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: Offshore Trolling Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    We had an absolute blast on our inshore fishing excursion with Captain Carlo. He was knowledgable about the area, knew the best spots to put us on top of the fish, and shared some great stories along the way. He was extremely attentive to anything we needed, had the bait on the hook before we knew we needed it, and made sure we were having fun at all times. Look forward to the next trip!

    Clayton P. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: Besting Charleston's Beasts

  • ★★★★★
    Our trip was great! You could tell they cared about our experience being amazing. The water was beautiful and they took care of everything down to keeping our lives baited and active. The captain even prepped our fish and sent us to a local restaurant that cooked it for us. Highly recommend!

    Steven M. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: St. Pete Offshore Experience

  • ★★★★★
    Mike was a great Captain! Would def go again! We had 3 kids with us and he made sure everyone had a good time

    Steve M. | May 15, 2026

    Trip: Bowfishing The Tampa Bay

  • ★★★★★
    Great bunch of guys Great catch and hospitality! For sure going again !

    Art S. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: Half Day Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Best captain crew ever!. Gage took her straight to the honey pot! Caught 60 gray snapper in less than 45 minutes! Need I say more?

    Ovid B. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: 4-6 Hour Trip – Offshore

  • ★★★★★
    Nick was great. Knowledgeable, friendly and easy to talk to. He took care of everything. The gear and live bait etc.. Although the Tarpon weren't hitting all that hard we did manage to land a Red fish and a Spanish mackerel. I would highly recommend Nick.

    Terrence G. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: Reel Salty Sport Tarpon Trips

  • ★★★★★
    Had a fun day out with Capt Chris. Although the wind and grass made the fly fishing challenging, he made every effort to navigate nature with alternative locations. The switchover to bait-cast resulted in several mangrove snappers, as well as trying for tarpon & snook. Would re-book in a blink with Capt. Chris at the helm!

    Tom S. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: Islamorada Live Action Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Randall was very engaging and even though conditions weren’t ideal to say the least, he still got us on some snapper and Spanish mackerel. We were there to fish and have a great experience and Randall made our wish possible. We would’ve liked to have caught more and bigger fish but with high winds and 6 foot waves we considered everything a success and we got home safe. I would highly recommend Randall.

    William E. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: Alabama Inshore Classic

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Steven was the best. He provided such an enjoyable, personalized experience. He knew all the rights spots for the best catch. We had an amazing day.

    David M. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: Shark Fishing Charter

  • ★★★★★
    We had the best time with Jason! We would 100% recommend him and definitely come back to see him! We got lots of snapper and grouper as well as saw a couple other cool fish like a Monterey eel and hogfish!

    Hunter W. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: 4 Hours Of Fishing Fun

  • ★★★★★
    We just had a great experience with Jerry and the team. We highly recommend this great outing. We caught so many fish we were sore from reeling them in. Great time. We will be back for sure! Thanks guys

    Kirk J. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: Red Snapper Meat Haul

  • ★★★★★
    I had a great time fishing with Glenn. My first time fly-fishing salt water, and he was a great coach. The weather was great, his boat and equipment were excellent, and I highly recommend him for Laguna Madre. I will be back!

    George R. | May 14, 2026

    Trip: South Padre On The Fly

  • ★★★★★
    Capt. Neal was FANTASTIC. Our crew consisted of an old lady and two children (age 14 and 12) and our Captain knew all the best spots to catch fish…and where we could make a bathroom pit stop. He was informative and helpful as well as patient and accommodating. Adding to the adventure was the spotted trout we took home to make delicioso FISH TACOS!

    Angela J. | May 13, 2026

    Trip: Indian River Inshore Frenzy

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Leb worked hard to get us on the fish during our recent trip on Moses Lake and Galveston Bay. We all had a great time!

    Robert W. | May 13, 2026

    Trip: Trinity Bay Inshore Assault

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome capt Taylor ! He did everything perfect and put us on fish and so enjoyable to be on his boat with such a great guide!

    Mark H. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton

  • ★★★★★
    Good job. Put me on some fish.

    Michael A. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Fly Fish For Redfish

  • ★★★★★
    Great guy to fish with- fun and knowledgeable

    Kurt K. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: 6 Hours Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    My husband had a great time!

    Ashley W. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Greers Ferry Lake

  • ★★★★★
    It was Avery enjoyable and nice trip had a good time the bite was just a little off but would go again

    Jerry D. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Lake Wylie Fishing Trips

  • ★★★★★
    5 stars out of 5 stars. Amazing trip! Thank you. We will be back next year on this same boat.

    Chris P. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Harbor Hookup: Destin Fishing Fun

  • ★★★★★
    We had an absolute blast. Great guide, highly recommend!

    Ashley V. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Iguana Hunt

  • ★★★★★
    Matt was wonderful. We went during a bachelor party and he was accommodating with helping to get us out there at an ideal time, helped to get us a lot of fish, and cleaned all of the fish for us so that all we had to do was season them and cook. Highly recommend Matt.

    Connor H. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Winter Flounder

  • ★★★★★
    Great experience from start to finish! He was fantastic to work with and helped us tremendously. He was patient, knowledgeable, and made the whole trip enjoyable. Already booked my second trip with him.

    Erik H. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Half-Day Trip (Matagorda TX)

  • ★★★★★
    Jose was an excellent guide and put us on a ton of fish and was very accommodating when we were running alittle behind. I would recommend him to anyone wanting to get out on the water and having a goodtime.

    Chris S. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Lake Ida Slam

  • ★★★★★
    great time Don as great. bucket list dream come true

    Paul R. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Combo Steelhead And Walleye

  • ★★★★★
    David was amazing all around, his dedication to keep on going until his customers are satisfied will drive me right back to his fishing charter every year!

    Alex T. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Port Aransas Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    John did a great job. Circumstances lead to me being the only one to go out on the trip. He adjusted and got me on the fish. Caught multiple tuna ( on my bucket list). Caught multiple mahi (also on my list). Caught a bull that was bigger than I ever expected.

    Nick M. | May 12, 2026

    Trip: Offshore Fishing Oregon Inlet

  • ★★★★★
    Richard did a great job. Very personable. It was a rough day on the water, but I think we caught 13 fish. my son had a blast. would recommend Richard as a guide. Thanks again.

    Jason F. | May 11, 2026

    Trip: Fort Myers Fishing Charters

  • ★★★★★
    Fishing trip was amazing. Jim was exceptional guide. We caught a lot of fish, and we learned a lot about the area. Looking forward to coming back next year. Very professional. Customer focused.

    Brian L. | May 11, 2026

    Trip: FL Keys Inshore/Backcountry Fishing

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