Captain
Matthew Fann

Member since July 2024 Wanchese, United States
Background
I've been an active crew member onboard some very successful charter operations in South Florida, as well as the outer Banks of NC. I was raised in the sport fishing industry from a very young age and have followed my father's footsteps. I originally started as a "boat wash kid" where I tried to get my foot in the door in the industry. It's a rough neck industry for a young kid but I pushed my way through and eventually became a 2nd mate, first mate and after 15 years as a mate, I set a course for sea school where I would graduate with a 100 ton masters credential. I have been blessed and privileged to learn under some very well known captains who were very demanding and I feel that pressure helped me to become the captain I am today. As a captain and owner I have made honesty my highest aim. That's my personal policy and I stand by it. Now that I've climbed the ladder to the helm of my own boat, I get to teach people from all walks of life about fishing, boating and the marine world! Thanks for reading and let's go fishing!
Techniques
I really enjoy trolling as a main method as it's typically known to produce through many conditions. Live bait can at times be very useful but when the current has slowed to a crawl then trolling can increase your odds at action. Wreck fishing is also one of my favorite methods as the depths of water can really test out one's angling abilities and the mystery of what waits below! Winter time in south Florida is sailfish season and kite fishing is a great way to see high numbers.

Hey, I'm Captain Matthew Fann

Wanchese, Verenigde Staten
Background
I've been an active crew member onboard some very successful charter operations in South Florida, as well as the outer Banks of NC. I was raised in the sport fishing industry from a very young age and have followed my father's footsteps. I originally started as a "boat wash kid" where I tried to get my foot in the door in the industry. It's a rough neck industry for a young kid but I pushed my way through and eventually became a 2nd mate, first mate and after 15 years as a mate, I set a course for sea school where I would graduate with a 100 ton masters credential. I have been blessed and privileged to learn under some very well known captains who were very demanding and I feel that pressure helped me to become the captain I am today. As a captain and owner I have made honesty my highest aim. That's my personal policy and I stand by it. Now that I've climbed the ladder to the helm of my own boat, I get to teach people from all walks of life about fishing, boating and the marine world! Thanks for reading and let's go fishing!
Techniques
I really enjoy trolling as a main method as it's typically known to produce through many conditions. Live bait can at times be very useful but when the current has slowed to a crawl then trolling can increase your odds at action. Wreck fishing is also one of my favorite methods as the depths of water can really test out one's angling abilities and the mystery of what waits below! Winter time in south Florida is sailfish season and kite fishing is a great way to see high numbers.
129
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Fishing Reports
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My Charter Listings

Fish Advisor - Wanchese

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4.8 / 5
(51 beoordelingen)
Wanchese
 Directe bevestiging
Trips vanaf US $300

Fish Advisor โ€“ Ft. Lauderdale

Federally permitted
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4.8 / 5
(78 beoordelingen)
Fort Lauderdale
 Laatste boeking: 5 uur geleden
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Trips vanaf US $400

Fishing Reports

Never give up!
Never give up!
Maa 27, 2025 Fort Lauderdale
The last few weeks have been tough. Tough for everyone in fact but there's a light at the end of the tunnel! March is usually a warm month but this year we saw a few additional cold fronts then normal and the skies were light blue and fishing was very challenging at times. The last few days I've been catching decent amount of tuna throughout the day but mostly during afternoon charters. That being said, they can bite all day, sometimes or not at all. Wahoo have made an appearance as well with a few decent fish being caught on the planers while trolling. March is typically the time where amberjack move around the wrecks and are caught dropping live baits on heavy tackle and several lbs of weight just to hit bottom. The current in South Florida can at times be ridiculously strong, so strong in fact that anchored ships seem to be underway due to their wakes! That's right, a wake while being achored. When the current is that strong, it can be hard to fish a ship wreck because you'll have to drop a long way ahead of the wreck and slowly drift back over the spot. Fish can move behind structure just to tuck away from the current. Blue water from the Gulfstream will be much closer at those times and wahoo and tuna will be biting. How about mahi mahi? A few have been caught but nothing to write home about and Sailfish continue to move through in decent numbers but are still not guaranteed. Water temperatures are beginning to warm slightly and spring weather will bring in much better fishing from now through summer!
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Never give up!
Never give up!
Maa 27, 2025 Fort Lauderdale
The last few weeks have been tough. Tough for everyone in fact but there's a light at the end of the tunnel! March is usually a warm month but this year we saw a few additional cold fronts then normal and the skies were light blue and fishing was very challenging at times. The last few days I've been catching decent amount of tuna throughout the day but mostly during afternoon charters. That being said, they can bite all day, sometimes or not at all. Wahoo have made an appearance as well with a few decent fish being caught on the planers while trolling. March is typically the time where amberjack move around the wrecks and are caught dropping live baits on heavy tackle and several lbs of weight just to hit bottom. The current in South Florida can at times be ridiculously strong, so strong in fact that anchored ships seem to be underway due to their wakes! That's right, a wake while being achored. When the current is that strong, it can be hard to fish a ship wreck because you'll have to drop a long way ahead of the wreck and slowly drift back over the spot. Fish can move behind structure just to tuck away from the current. Blue water from the Gulfstream will be much closer at those times and wahoo and tuna will be biting. How about mahi mahi? A few have been caught but nothing to write home about and Sailfish continue to move through in decent numbers but are still not guaranteed. Water temperatures are beginning to warm slightly and spring weather will bring in much better fishing from now through summer!
Continue reading
Sailfish headquarters!
Sailfish headquarters!
Feb 28, 2025 Fort Lauderdale
South Florida has finally seen the push of SAILFISH that we've been waiting for! As stated in previous reports, cold fronts were needed to push the fish further along their journey. With a few additional cold spells, we started to see increased numbers. The water temperature hardly changes through the cold front but it's more about air pressure changes. The first day of a cold front usually begins with high dew point and rain which clears into bright blue and clear skies. Once the front made it's way through we begin to see the prevailing easterly winds come back. When the happens, it's madness. Recent tournament boats have seen double digit numbers from fort Pierce, FL down to the upper keys! Now that's a dream for a charter Captain but it can happen! Mahi mahi have joined in as well and are starting to show the signs for a healthy March/april. Join soon to catch a SAILFISH of your very own and a mahi for dinner!
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Tuna action!
Tuna action!
Jan 31, 2025 Fort Lauderdale
The blackfin tuna are starting to show up! Blackfin tuna are caught all year long however we see a larger number of turn during early spring months. They range in depths between 100-350' and are caught trolling or with the use of live bait from a kite. Typically, they are eating very small minnows that we call "crack minnows" due to their appearance resembling shards of glass. They are as small as a fingernail clipping and we often use a small spoon to blend in or "match the hatch". Blackfin tuna are not as large as yellow or blue fin however they are fantastic eating and are a great sport fish! As summer months approach and the days grow longer, we will start to see the afternoon bites offering the most action for tuna however they can still show up earlier as well. Book now and fire up the grill!
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South bound SAILFISH!
South bound SAILFISH!
Jan 25, 2025 Fort Lauderdale
Cold fronts = sailfish! We've been steadily watching the cold fronts as the Florida State saw snow once again. An occurrence of once a decade. These cold fronts are important for game fisherman such as myself but only one cold front is not enough. We need a few back to back to really see the advantage. Now we've received just that. We're just kicking off the season and are within the 4th cold front and the fish seem to be showing up. This morning (jan 25,2025) we managed to hook 2 sailfish within an hour apart meanwhile a few other boats saw similar success! Kite fishing in windy days will be the go to method so anticipate using live bait. Some live baits are caught on the trip, others are purchased to save time! As sailfish and other highly migratory fish travel south, they enter into narrowing depths and they begin to concentrate. Finding the perfect depth can be pivotal in setting up the kites on the drop. Color changes in the water can also provide variance in water temps, a sensitive element to fishing for billfish. I anticipate a strong season as we have weather reports that will push temperatures into the low 40s this month into feb. The colder the weather, the further south the fish will travel and in greater numbers! Capt Matt.
Continue reading
South bound SAILFISH!
South bound SAILFISH!
Jan 25, 2025 Fort Lauderdale
Cold fronts = sailfish! We've been steadily watching the cold fronts as the Florida State saw snow once again. An occurrence of once a decade. These cold fronts are important for game fisherman such as myself but only one cold front is not enough. We need a few back to back to really see the advantage. Now we've received just that. We're just kicking off the season and are within the 4th cold front and the fish seem to be showing up. This morning (jan 25,2025) we managed to hook 2 sailfish within an hour apart meanwhile a few other boats saw similar success! Kite fishing in windy days will be the go to method so anticipate using live bait. Some live baits are caught on the trip, others are purchased to save time! As sailfish and other highly migratory fish travel south, they enter into narrowing depths and they begin to concentrate. Finding the perfect depth can be pivotal in setting up the kites on the drop. Color changes in the water can also provide variance in water temps, a sensitive element to fishing for billfish. I anticipate a strong season as we have weather reports that will push temperatures into the low 40s this month into feb. The colder the weather, the further south the fish will travel and in greater numbers! Capt Matt.
Continue reading

Customer reviews

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Knowledgeable mariner

GECONTROLEERD   NIEUW  3 hour mid morning (AM) op December 6, 2025
Fished all my life, but first time fishing south Florida. Brought my 6 year old daughter for her first ocean trip ever. Chose...
Richard T. raadt Fish Advisor โ€“ Ft. Lauderdale aan
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Raymond C.
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Had a Great Time

GECONTROLEERD   NIEUW  4 Hour Trip (PM) op December 30, 2025
I was looking for a private fishing charter for 4 people. After making several phone calls, I located Captain Matthew Fann.ย ...
Raymond C. raadt Fish Advisor โ€“ Ft. Lauderdale aan
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Erik L.
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Outstanding Fishing Trip From Start to Finish!

GECONTROLEERD   4 Hour Trip (Early AM) op Oktober 17, 2025
Thank you Captain Matt for the fantastic fishing trip with my son and I. This was only his second time fishing and you gave...
Erik L. raadt Fish Advisor โ€“ Ft. Lauderdale aan
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Tim J.
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Great time found a few despite the weather

GECONTROLEERD   Mid day 5hr near shore (noon) op September 30, 2025
We had a great time with Captain Matt.ย  The weather was an obstacle as it was pretty rough and windy, but Matt was very upfront...
Tim J. raadt Fish Advisor - Wanchese aan
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Mia W.
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Peaceful trip, knowledgeable captain

GECONTROLEERD   Sunset fishing quick trip op Juli 12, 2025
We went on the sunset 2 hour trip with 4 adults and a two year old. The captain was very friendly and knowledgeable and made...
Mia W. raadt Fish Advisor - Wanchese aan
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