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Wayne Gatling
Captain

Wayne Gatling

Marathon, United States
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
Captain Wayne Gatling has been in the fishing and hunting business since 1971, spending most of his life outdoors as an avid angler. He is originally from Maryland, however, he grew up spending his winters down in Florida, fishing with his father and uncles. After sending his last kid off to college, Capt. Wayne finally decided to expand his business to Florida and guide fishing charters during the winter seasons. Since then, business has been non-stop with customers booking trips from all over the US. Choose Wayne Gatling Guide Service for your next fishing trip and enjoy an action-packed fishing marathon aboard the Fishin' Fool!

Charters

Rating

4.8
125 reviews
4.8
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

98%
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
95%
Caught fish

All reviews (125)

Showing 1 – 5 of 125 reviews
  • Sean Bouchard
    Sean Bouchard
    Repeat angler
    us
    New Jersey, US
    Member since 2023
    5 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Day!

    Full Day Trip – 7 hours • 3 adults • 2 children

    Wind had kicked up a few days before and was still blowing 15 plus the day of. We started the day targeting tarpon, and my son was lucky enough to fight one for a bit, despite it being early season. We spent the second portion fishing the “backcountry.” Capt put us on the fish, and we had nonstop action the rest of our trip. My son (12), daughter (10), and I were able to catch 50 plus keeper fish. A great day with less-than-ideal conditions. We will be chartering Capt Wayne again on our next trip to the Keys.

    Reported catch:
    Mangrove Snapper
    Tarpon
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Black Grouper
    Response from Captain

    thanks for the great review Sean. you guys did kick some butt. That’s for sure.

  • Phil Barranco
    Phil Barranco
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Epic trip with Captain Wayne!

    Half Day Trip – Tarpon Fishing • 2 adults

    It was slow all morning but Captain Wayne kept looking for the tarpon like a blood hound! We finally hooked in one. Captain Wayne knows his stuff, kept the boat in position so I was at the front of the boat the whole time. We brought the tarpon back to the boat for a clean release. The trip was coming to an end but Captain Wayne said that we are going to keep going until my wife catches one. 20 minutes later, Fish On! Took us 30 minutes to get that monster in. Both tarpon were over 100 pounds! Epic......

    Response from Captain

    Thanks for the great review Phil. You guys did a great job on those tarpon. I’m glad to be able to help you get themmoff your bucket list.

  • Kevin Gillingham
    Kevin Gillingham
    us
    Kentucky, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    A great 1/2 day trip!

    Half Day Trip – Backcountry (AM) • 3 adults

    Captain Wayne put us on the fish right off the bat and he kept us on them. We caught our limit on Mangrove Snapper and caught a number of other species such as Lane Snapper, Houndfish, Puffers, Bonnet Shark and we even hooked a Goliath Grouper. He did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend him for your next fishing trip.

    Reported catch:
    Mangrove Snapper
    Response from Captain

    Thanks for the nice review Kevin. I’m glad I was able to give you Kentucky boys a good outing. See you next year.

  • Tymn Neece
    Tymn Neece
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    easy and enjoble fishing

    5 Hour Trip (AM) • 6 adults

    Wayne delivered. We missed rockfish by a few days but we caught catfish and white perch. He and the mate made the experience enjoyable

    Response from Captain

    thanks Tymn. i hope to see you again when we can keep them.

  • Kevin O'sullivan
    Kevin O'sullivan
    Repeat angler
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Day Fishing with Captain Wayne

    Half Day Trip – Backcountry • 4 adults • 2 children

    We spent the afternoon fishing with Captain Wayne on his boat out of Marathon, Florida and it was a great experience for the whole family, wecaught lots of fish and learned a lot about the area from the Captain Wayne.I would highly recommend hiring Captain Wayne for your next Fishing trip.

    Response from Captain

    Thanks for the nice review Kevin. it was fun talking your family out this afternoon. hope to see you again sometime.

Real catches shared by our community

  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service – 46'
    Wayne Gatling Guide Service – 46'Rock Hall, MD
    A variety of catfish and other species laid out on a fillet table, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Megan P.
    Megan P.
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service – 46'
    Wayne Gatling Guide Service – 46'Rock Hall, MD
    A variety of fish, including catfish, displayed on a cleaning table aboard a fishing boat, with a calm water backdrop.
    Tymn N.
    Tymn N.
    Wayne delivered. We missed rockfish by a few days but we caught catfish and white perch. He and the mate made the experience enjoyable
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service
    Wayne Gatling Guide ServiceMarathon, FL
    An angler is reeling in a fish under a vibrant blue bridge, showcasing the excitement of fishing in a coastal environment.
    Phil B.
    Phil B.
    It was slow all morning but Captain Wayne kept looking for the tarpon like a blood hound! We finally hooked in one. Captain Wayne knows his stuff, kept the boat in position so I was at the front of the boat the whole time. We brought the tarpon back to the boat for a clean release. The trip was coming to an end but Captain Wayne said that we are going to keep going until my wife catches one. 20 minutes later, Fish On! Took us 30 minutes to get that monster in. Both tarpon were over 100 pounds! Epic......
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service
    Wayne Gatling Guide ServiceMarathon, FL
    Three adult anglers pose aboard a fishing boat while holding yellowtail snapper, with a large group catch arranged on the deck.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Lane Snapper
    Jeff P.
    Jeff P.
    This was the best fishing trip my sons and I have ever had! Captain Wayne was very knowledgeable we absolutley hammered the fish! It was an experience we will never forget.
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service
    Wayne Gatling Guide ServiceMarathon, FL
    Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Snook while enjoying a day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Mangrove Snapper
    Boyd M.
    Boyd M.
    Booked a 1/2 day AM trip last minute, Captain Wayne was very accomodating on making it work for us. Great time fishing, he knew where to go and how to get the fish biting. My daughter’s first time fishing in the Ocean and he made is great! Looking forward to doing it again sometime soon!
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service
    Wayne Gatling Guide ServiceMarathon, FL
    Angler proudly displaying a large Grouper while fishing on a sunny day in coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Gag Grouper
    Darren B.
    Darren B.
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service
    Wayne Gatling Guide ServiceMarathon, FL
    Large display of snapper and other reef fish arranged on a dockside fillet table beside charter boats.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Lane Snapper
    Sean B.
    Sean B.
    Wind had kicked up a few days before and was still blowing 15 plus the day of. We started the day targeting tarpon, and my son was lucky enough to fight one for a bit, despite it being early season. We spent the second portion fishing the “backcountry.” Capt put us on the fish, and we had nonstop action the rest of our trip. My son (12), daughter (10), and I were able to catch 50 plus keeper fish. A great day with less-than-ideal conditions. We will be chartering Capt Wayne again on our next trip to the Keys.
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service
    Wayne Gatling Guide ServiceMarathon, FL
    Two anglers proudly holding their fish aboard a center-console boat in open coastal waters, with a young angler joining the catch display.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Mangrove Snapper
    Thomas M.
    Thomas M.
    Wayne was wonderful. He has a wealth of experience and got us right on the fish. We limited out and our family made a great memory out on ghe water.
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service
    Wayne Gatling Guide ServiceMarathon, FL
    A variety of fish including Mackerel and Snapper displayed on a cleaning table at the dock, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Spanish Mackerel
    Noel D.
    Noel D.
    The captain was great and the boat was nice and clean. We were catching more fish then we new what to do with. it's definitely been one of our best fishing outings so far. Highly recommend him.
  • Wayne Gatling Guide Service – 46'
    Wayne Gatling Guide Service – 46'Rock Hall, MD
    A father and son proudly displaying their striped bass catch on a fishing trip, with a scenic backdrop of a bridge at sunset.
    Fish 1
    Striped Bass
    Heather H.
    Heather H.
    Captain Wayne and his mate Jacob did an awesome job! Captain Wayne has a ton of experience and is very familiar with the Rock Hall area. Has fun T-shirts for sale as well! Would go again for sure!

Our Fishing Locations

What's biting with Wayne Gatling Guide Service in Marathon

Permit, Pompano, and Speckled Trout all arrive just as the Snook and Tarpon leave (the world's nice like that sometimes). Jacks join the regular crowd of Snapper and Grouper on the reefs, and there are still Tuna offshore.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Adult angler reeling in a silver fish beside a small center-console boat during an active coastal fishing trip.

Tarpon fishing is on fire!

Apr 28, 2021 • Marathon
We are hooking 3 to 5 tarpon every trip. There is nothing like the sight of these monster fish jumping 6 to 8 feet in the air.
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