About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Juan Ruiz

Juan Ruiz

Independent Guide
Talkative
Instructional
Beginner Oriented
Quality
Adventurous
Laid-back
With over 30 years of experience on the water, Captain Juan—known to many as Captain Big John—has made a name for himself by consistently putting fish in the box and smiles on faces. Whether you're brand new to fishing or a seasoned angler, Captain Big John’s trips are all about more than just catching fish—they’re about learning, laughing, and leaving with unforgettable memories.

This isn’t your average “sit-back-and-watch” charter. Captain Big John is hands-on from the first cast to the last catch. He takes pride in teaching guests the fundamentals—from how to properly cast a reel, to reeling in your fish, and even exploring different fishing techniques tailored to your experience level and interests. It’s an ideal trip for anyone looking to sharpen their skills or simply get more involved in the action.

And when it comes to catching? Let’s just say you’re not going fishing—you’re going catchin’. With decades of local knowledge under his belt, Captain Big John knows how to find the fish and keep the lines tight. Whether you're looking to hook dinner or chase your personal...

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Juan Ruiz

Juan Ruiz

Independent Guide
With over 30 years of experience on the water, Captain Juan—known to many as Captain Big John—has made a name for himself by consistently putting fish in the box and smiles on faces. Whether you're brand new to fishing or a seasoned angler, Captain Big John’s trips are all about more than just catching fish—they’re about learning, laughing, and leaving with unforgettable memories.

This isn’t your average “sit-back-and-watch” charter. Captain Big John is hands-on from the first cast to the last catch. He takes pride in teaching guests the fundamentals—from how to properly cast a reel, to reeling in your fish, and even exploring different fishing techniques tailored to your experience level and interests. It’s an ideal trip for anyone looking to sharpen their skills or simply get more involved in the action.

And when it comes to catching? Let’s just say you’re not going fishing—you’re going catchin’. With decades of local knowledge under his belt, Captain Big John knows how to find the fish and keep the lines tight. Whether you're looking to hook dinner or chase your personal
best, he’ll make sure you return with the catch of a lifetime.

From families and first-timers to hardcore anglers, every trip with Captain Juan is high-energy, educational, and flat-out fun. Come ready to fish—and leave ready to book your next adventure!
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Big John's Fishing Guide Trips

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Fishing in Destin
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Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in Port Isabel

Private South Padre Island Fishing

100% (1)
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Invasive Species, Big Game Hunting in Rio Hondo

South Texas Thermal Nilgai Hunts

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1 Person From $1,800

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Recent Reviews of Big John's Fishing Guide

5.0
based on 1 review

Tiffany

Verified Review

Captain Juan was great and we had a fun day on the boat! It was grandparents, parents and 8 year old twins so great for all ages. Juan was so patient with the kids and very attentive to making sure everyone was always baited and having fun fishing. We are complete beginners and he was super informative on what we were catching and teaching the boys how to fish. There’s no shade or restroom on...

Tiffany

Verified Review

Captain Juan was great and we had a fun day on the boat! It was grandparents, parents and 8 year old twins so great for all ages. Juan was so patient with the kids and very attentive to making sure everyone was always baited and having fun fishing. We are complete beginners and he was super informative on what we were catching and teaching the boys how to fish. There’s no shade or restroom on the boat so plan accordingly with sunscreen and proper clothes and a bathroom break before the trip. We brought snacks and drinks with us which was great to have on hand. We caught a variety of fish even if not all were keepers. All in all it was a perfect day out on the water.
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Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
View Full Species Seasonality Chart »
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Cut Bait Fishing
Drift Fishing
Heavy Tackle Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Rifle Hunting
Sight Casting
Trolling

Big John's Fishing Guide Photo Gallery

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South Texas Thermal Nilgai Hunts
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Private South Padre Island Fishing
April 16th, 2023
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Hog Hunting By SPI
March 7th, 2025
Arroyo Gardens-La Tina Ranch, Texas
South Texas Thermal Nilgai Hunts
March 25th, 2025
Rio Hondo, Texas
Private South Padre Island Fishing
March 25th, 2022
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South Texas Thermal Nilgai Hunts
March 25th, 2025
Rio Hondo, Texas
Private South Padre Island Fishing
March 25th, 2022
Port Isabel, Texas
Hog Hunting By SPI
February 22nd, 2026
Rio Hondo, Texas
Hog Hunting By SPI
March 25th, 2025
Arroyo Gardens-La Tina Ranch, Texas
South Texas Thermal Nilgai Hunts
February 22nd, 2026
Rio Hondo, Texas
Hog Hunting By SPI
February 22nd, 2026
Rio Hondo, Texas
Private South Padre Island Fishing
March 21st, 2025
Port Isabel, Texas
South Texas Thermal Nilgai Hunts
February 22nd, 2026
Rio Hondo, Texas
South Texas Thermal Nilgai Hunts
February 22nd, 2026
Rio Hondo, Texas
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