Capt. Bryan Reeves — owner & operator
Bryan was born and raised in Lawrence County, Alabama, where he fished bass semi-professionally and guided for smallmouth on the Tennessee River chain. When his family moved to Gulf Shores in 1995 and bought a charter boat, Bryan took a summer job as the deckhand — and never really left the water.
He deckhanded through high school and college, earned his U.S. Coast Guard captain's license in 2007, and in 2013 bought the Wild Orange and started his own business. Three decades on charter boats have made his specialties clear: grouper, red snapper, amberjack, and light-tackle fishing for just about anything that swims in the Gulf.
Bryan and his wife Candie have five children — and if you're wondering whether your kids are welcome aboard, ask a man who spends his spare time taking his own five fishing and hunting. Family trips aren't a sideline here; they're the point.
Joe Stelly — first mate
Joe's story is the best review we have: he and his family were Wild Orange customers for over ten years before he joined the crew full-time in 2024. A lifelong angler from Arkansas, Joe fell in love with deep sea fishing young, learned every technique the Gulf could throw at him, and now delivers the same first-class service he grew up receiving on this boat.
The next generation
Bryan's stepson RJ trained toward first mate from age five and is now a certified deckhand, working Zeke's Landing boats and jumping aboard whenever school allows. Youngest daughter Riley rides along every chance she gets — and has her own deckhand dreams.
Questions, answered
Who is the captain of Wild Orange Charters?
Capt. Bryan Reeves is the owner and operator. He took a summer job as the deckhand when his family moved to Gulf Shores in 1995 and bought a charter boat, earned his U.S. Coast Guard captain's license in 2007, and in 2013 bought the Wild Orange and started his own business.
What fish does Captain Bryan specialize in?
Captain Bryan's specialties are grouper, red snapper, amberjack and light-tackle fishing for just about anything that swims in the Gulf. He was born and raised in Lawrence County, Alabama, where he fished bass semi-professionally and guided for smallmouth on the Tennessee River chain.
Who is the first mate on the Wild Orange?
Joe Stelly is the first mate. He and his family were Wild Orange customers for over ten years before he joined the crew full-time in 2024. A lifelong angler from Arkansas, he fell in love with deep sea fishing young and learned every technique the Gulf could throw at him.
Do I need any fishing experience to go on the charter?
No experience is needed, and teaching first-timers is one of the crew's favorite parts of the job. You get hands-on help from the captain and deckhand the entire trip, with Captain Bryan driving from the back-deck helm, right there with you while you fish.
Is Wild Orange Charters a family-owned business?
Yes. Wild Orange is a family-owned charter. Bryan and his wife Candie have five children, his stepson RJ is a certified deckhand who works Zeke's Landing boats and jumps aboard whenever school allows, and youngest daughter Riley rides along every chance she gets.
Fish with a crew that grew up doing this
Hands-on help from the captain and deckhand, the entire trip.