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, 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.

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(51 reviews)
Wanchese
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $300
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(81 reviews)
Fort Lauderdale
 7 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400

Fishing Reports

Mahi on the move!
Mahi on the move!
Apr 11, 2025 Fort Lauderdale
We're entering into mahi mahi season and it's starting to show decent numbers. We'd like to see bigger fish but we are at least seeing some at all. during summer months, when the seas are calmer, we will venture further offshore in search of floating debris or weed lines. Now finding weed alone isn't a guarantee, in fact it's just one factor. Mahi do not eat seaweed but simply hunt around it, finding small bait fish, minnows, shrimp, crab etc. It is often that we will find seaweed lines that are miles long yet we won't have a single bite. The reason for this is that the weed might have already been hunted on and the fish have moved on or it's a new patch that hasn't been found yet. The recent trips have shown this exact example. I've found fantastic looking weed lines and have trolled up and down without a single bite and then "kapow"!! Fish on! As mentioned earlier, a lot of these fish are young and are simply too small to harvest but we are seeing a few that make the mark and get a free boat ride home in the cooler! The best method for mahi is often by trolling ballyhoo or bonito strips matched up with various skirts. Many captains prefer to use live bait but those only come into play once you've made contact with the fish and they seem to be in abundance. You'll have a live bait to offer up when multiple fish come to the boat. Live bait isn't always necessary though. If you're considering booking based on this report then please consider a few things. The ocean is vast! It's simple massive and mahi are highly migratory fish. They can swim thousands of miles per year and eat as much as they can but sometimes they are nowhere to be found. We spend the majority of our lives in pursuit of the perfect moment but often times we are left to dream of a better trip... Next time!
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 132 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (127)
Nice Mahi!
Knowledgeable mariner
Knowledgeable mariner
+124
Angler rating
117
9
5
0
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
84%
Friendly captain
95%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
89%
Satisfied with the boat
95%
Caught fish
81%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 132 reviews
Raymond C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Had a Great Time

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip (PM) on 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. recommends Fish Advisor โ€“ Ft. Lauderdale
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Matthew Fann Captain replied

Richard T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Knowledgeable mariner

VERIFIED   3 hour mid morning (AM) on 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. recommends Fish Advisor โ€“ Ft. Lauderdale
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Matthew Fann Captain replied

Erik L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Outstanding Fishing Trip From Start to Finish!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (Early AM) on October 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. recommends Fish Advisor โ€“ Ft. Lauderdale
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Matthew Fann Captain replied

Tim J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time found a few despite the weather

VERIFIED   Mid day 5hr near shore (noon) on 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. recommends Fish Advisor - Wanchese
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Matthew Fann Captain replied

Edmund S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good Times!!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (PM) on March 1, 2025
I recently went on a fishing trip with Captain Matt in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, along with three of my friends, and...
Edmund S. recommends Fish Advisor โ€“ Ft. Lauderdale
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Matthew Fann Captain replied