Captain
Matt Hawksley

Member since January 2019 Sanibel, United States
Background
Capt. Matt has been catching fish in Southwest Florida since he could hold a fishing rod. As a 3rd generation Southwest Florida angler who has guided thousands of fishing trips in and around the waters of Sanibel, Captiva, and Ft. Myers, this captain has the experience necessary to put you on the fish of a lifetime. After years of partnering with biologists and naturalists to lead guided trips in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Capt. Matt is also particularly knowledgeable about the local ecosystem and wildlife. So whether you're interested in catching your biggest saltwater fish, or you just want to enjoy a day on the water with family and friends, Capt. Matt will make sure your excursion is the highlight of your trip to southwest Florida!
Techniques
Whether bottom fishing, jigging, trolling, popping, drifting, pitching live bait, or throwing flies, Capt. Matt has done it all and knows the best techniques to put fish in the boat!

Hey, I'm Captain Matt Hawksley

Sanibel, ร‰tats Unis
Background
Capt. Matt has been catching fish in Southwest Florida since he could hold a fishing rod. As a 3rd generation Southwest Florida angler who has guided thousands of fishing trips in and around the waters of Sanibel, Captiva, and Ft. Myers, this captain has the experience necessary to put you on the fish of a lifetime. After years of partnering with biologists and naturalists to lead guided trips in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Capt. Matt is also particularly knowledgeable about the local ecosystem and wildlife. So whether you're interested in catching your biggest saltwater fish, or you just want to enjoy a day on the water with family and friends, Capt. Matt will make sure your excursion is the highlight of your trip to southwest Florida!
Techniques
Whether bottom fishing, jigging, trolling, popping, drifting, pitching live bait, or throwing flies, Capt. Matt has done it all and knows the best techniques to put fish in the boat!

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(64 reviews)
Sanibel
Trips from US $500
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(31 reviews)
Captiva
Trips from US $600

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 96 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (95)
Half day trip with Captain Matt
Fishing with Matt
Fishing with Matt
+92
Angler rating
85
9
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
94%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 96 reviews
George P.
Denver, CO
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Matt

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip - Fishing (PM) on July 19, 2022
I took my two sons and three college-age grandchildren on a half day trip with Captain Matt.ย  It was an extraordinary experience.ย ...
George P. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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George P. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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Jeremy C.
Prairie Du Chien, WI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Matt

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip - Fishing (AM) on April 3, 2022
We had an Amazing experience Shark Fishing with Captain Matt. Once we got to our spot he got us all setup and before too long...
Jeremy C. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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Jeremy C. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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Shawn A.
Belgrade, MT
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6 hour trip was perfect!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip - Custom on March 11, 2022
We let Matt know that the boys wanted to catch a shark.ย  Boy did we!ย  Our middle son caught a 6โ€™ shark that weighed around...
Shawn A. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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Shawn A. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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Dustin R.
Lafayette, IN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great morning!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip - Fishing (AM) on June 1, 2022
Had a great first saltwater fishing experience with Matt. Our main goal was too just simply catch fish,ย  which we did. We...
Dustin R. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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Dustin R. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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Tim W.
Rose Hill, KS
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Highly recommend!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip - Fishing (AM) on May 16, 2022
First let me say that I have used many many fishing guides and Captain Matt is by far one of the best. He was on time, he knew...
Tim W. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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Tim W. recommends Capt Matt's Island Charters โ€“ Sanibel
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