Meet your guide

Capt. Johnny Mainero

A life centered around the water, from the Jersey Shore to the Lowcountry.

Capt. Johnny poling the skiff across the Lowcountry flats
Georgetown, SCHome with his wife Amanda and daughters Mia and Amelia

Meet your guide

From Manasquan Inlet to Winyah Bay

Johnny’s earliest memories are leaving Manasquan Inlet in the morning haze on his father’s 27′ Celebrity, chasing fluke and stripers.

Growing up in the Northeast, he climbed jetties up and down the Jersey coast and fished Barnegat Bay in a classic 13′ Boston Whaler. He worked in tackle shops, became a fishing manager at Orvis, and moved to South Carolina at 18, finding fish wherever he landed, from lake stripers to carp in a college town pond.

Today Johnny calls Georgetown home. On his off days you’ll find him poling his skiff with friends through the backwaters of Winyah Bay chasing redfish. His goal is to make his clients lifelong friends and help them get to the next level.

  • Former Orvis fishing manager
  • 2022 Lowcountry Tarpon Tournament champion
  • Featured on the Wet Fly Swing podcast

The skiff

17′ Mitzi Skiff

A no-frills angler’s skiff, built in North Carolina and powered by Yamaha.

With 11 degrees of deadrise, the Mitzi rides more comfortably across Winyah Bay than many poling skiffs. On the pole it floats in less than 8 inches of water and is extremely stable, a safe and comfortable platform to fish from.

  • Garmin electronics
  • Minn Kota Spot-Lock trolling motor
  • All safety gear, and a very enthusiastic guide
17 foot Mitzi skiff used by Blackwater Revival Guide Service

Clients

Lifelong friends

★★★★★
“An amazing time. It was a cold one but captain Johnny put us into some beautiful redfish for one of my more memorable fishing days ever.”
Scott C.
★★★★★
“Johnny is an easy going, personable guide who is excited to get you into fish!”
Duane C.

Come jump on the front of the skiff.

Pick your date and trip length and lock in the skiff online, or call Capt. Johnny to plan around the tides.

Book a charter