Captain Matt specializes in inshore light tackle and fly fishing charters as well as
nearshore/offshore bay boat charters. He is an accomplished tarpon guide and
is considered an expert on targeting trophy-sized sea trout. In March of 2023 he
became an IGFA world record holder after guiding one of his clients to a record
breaking 10.5 pound trout on fly. The captain is a contributing author with the
Florida Sportsman Magazine and has been featured on television shows such as
Flats Class (Season 16 Episode 3 “Trout Sensei”). He is a patient, determined,
passionate captain with an outgoing disposition. This allows him to guide
anyone from novice children to veteran record hunters. He understands the
science behind the sport and routinely educates his clients about the biology of
fish and the intricacies of the marine environment.
Born and raised along the coast of Jacksonville Captain Matt is a Florida
Boy to his core. As a child he explored the marshes, intracoastal waterways
and beaches of St. Augustine and Jacksonville. He gained a unique
understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the opportunities available for
sport fishing in North Florida. He taught himself how to fish and developed
into a lifetime waterman and angler.
From 2004 to 2008 he attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg located
along the Gulf Of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Armed with a kayak Captain Matt
paddled and fished his way through the estuaries, grass flats and
mangroves of Southwest Florida. While earning a degree in
marine/environmental science he broadened his skill and knowledge of
saltwater angling. He learned how to stalk fish in the shallows, how to pole a
flat and how to target larger pelagic species along the beaches and wrecks
of the Gulf. After graduating Captain Matt returned to the First Coast and
applied his experiences to the local fishery. He began competing in kayak
fishing tournaments on his stand up paddle board and won the Jacksonville
Kayak Classic and the Jacksonville Premier Trout Tournament. After
cementing himself as an elite angler he began guiding paddle charters,
earned his captain’s license, purchased both a flats boat and a bay boat and
now runs one of the most reputable charters in North Florida.
About Captain Matt Chipperfield
Watch Captain Matt On Flats Class
RESERVE
RESERVE
RESERVE
Max 4 Guests
6 Hours Starts at $800
Full Day
Max 4 Guests
8 Hours Starts at $1000
All Day
Charter Options
Max 4 Guests
4 Hours Starts at $600
Half Day
Call the captain: (904) 610-8501 Email: chipscoastalcharters@gmail.com
Tour The Boats
Measuring 22 feet long and weighing almost 3000 pounds the Pathfinder bay boat is considered one of the most comfortable, efficient fishing vessels available today. It is equipped with a beastly 250 horsepower Yamaha outboard, a powerful 100 pound thrust Minn Kota trolling motor, dual PowerPole anchoring systems, 90 gallons of livewells, plenty of seating/deck space and a 55 gallon gas tank. It is a fishing rocket ship equipped with state of the art Garmin electronics and fish finding technology. The Pathfinder can draft a mere 12 inches in the backcountry or run 30 miles offshore. With a five passenger capacity Captain Matt can accommodate large groups as well. If you’d like to chase tarpon down the beach, troll for kingfish on the wrecks or enjoy a relaxing day fishing inshore with your friends the Pathfinder gets the job done.
Pathfinder Tournament Bay Boat
At 16 feet long and under 400 pounds Captain Matt’s flats boat is a shallow water poling machine with a true 4 inch draft. It is skinnier and quieter than any other boat out there. It is a purpose driven craft designed to get where others can’t and target fish hidden in the backcountry. The shadowcast has adequate deck space for two anglers and the captain. It is equipped with a Minn Kota iPilot trolling motor, Yeti cooler, a 22 foot carbon fiber push pole and a 10 horsepower Suzuki outboard for access to Guana Lake’s restricted horsepower zone. It is equipped with all necessary safety equipment including but not limited to Garmin GPS/fish-finder, bilge pump, VHF radio, fire extinguisher, med kit and type 1 life jackets. If you are looking to get shallow and sight fish for tailing redfish or want to try your hand at taming a trophy trout in Guana this is the boat for you.
Ankona Shadowcast Flats Boat
What You Can Catch
Welcome to the land of giants! Season: Year Round-Best fishing February to May for the large females Methods: Spin, Fly, Artifical Lures
Trout
The most popular fish in North Florida. Season: Year Round-Best sight fishing is June to October during flood tides Methods: Spin, Fly, Artificial Lures, Bait
Redfish
The “Silver King” 100 lbs of adrenaline. Season: June to September-Best fishing during July and August Methods: Spin, Fly, Artificial Lures, Bait
Tarpon
Aggressive, strong and very tasty. Season: December to May-Best sight fishing is during the April migration Methods: Spin, Fly, Artificial Lures, Bait
Cobia
Speed demons and drag smokers. Season: May to September-Best fishing is June to August Methods: Trolling, Flat Lining, Bait
Kingfish
One of the best eating fish in the sea. Season: Closed year round with seasonal openings mid July Methods: Spin, Conventional, Bait, Jigs
Snapper
Fancy some sushi or ahi steaks? Season: April to June-Best fishing is in April and May based on temperature Methods: Spin, Troll, Bait, Jigs
Tuna
Freight trains that taste like butter. Season: Closed year round with seasonal openings in May/June Methods: Conventional, Bait, Jigs
Grouper
Aggressive. Mean. Strong. Underrated. Season: Year round-Best fishing is April to August during Spring/Summer Methods: Spin, Fly, Artificial Lures, Bait
Jacks
The “Convicts” of the intracoastal river Season: Year round-Best fishing is during October though April Methods: Spin, Fly, Artificial Lures, Bait
Sheepshead
The best tasting fish in the river. Season: Year round-Best fishing is September through November Methods: Spin, Artificial Lures, Bait
Flounder
They’re ugly, but they’ll punish you. Season: Year round-Best fishing is during April and May in Spring Methods: Spin, Fly, Artificial Lures, Bait
Drum
About the Fisheries
Guana Preserve The lake is an intracoastal brackish water lagoon located in the Guana River Preserve. With a dam on one end and a fresh watershed on the other it is the most unique fishery in the state of Florida. Much like mosquito lagoon it is well known for producing some of the largest speckled trout in the country. Nicknamed “Jurassic Park” the lake yields trophy fish year round with 30 inch trout, 40 inch redfish and 20-30 pound black drum. It is very shallow and has some of the best flats fishing around. There is a 10 horsepower limit within the lake so there are very few anglers to contend with and boat traffic is minimal. Captain Matt’s Ankona flats boat is perfectly outfitted for this system and he is the only operating charter captain you will find in Guana. If you’re looking for the trout of a lifetime or a “wall hanger” this is the charter for you.
Flood Tide Undoubtedly the most exciting sight fishing opportunity available on the First Coast and the signature of fly fishing in North Florida. From June through October North Florida experiences larger than normal high tides during full and new moons. As these tides peak water floods into the spartina marsh grasses of the intracoastal waterway. Crabs, minnows, shrimp and insects are left stranded and vulnerable among the inundated grass flats. Redfish target these prey items by tailing, tipping and backing their way across the surface. This is a pure “spot and stalk” experience and is absolutely exhilarating. The image of a redfish tail waving at you in just inches of water will be burned into your memory for years to come.
Low Tide As the tide recedes shrimp and baitfish are flushed out of the grasses, oysters and protective structures of the creeks. Predators take advantage and accumulate in the shallow water to ambush their food. Redfish are often left exposed during low tides and provide excellent sight fishing as they push their way down the muddy banks. Trout, flounder and drum also prowl the shallows which can result in mixed bags or “North Florida Slams”. Skinny water fishing is often explosive and visual due to surface strikes and close quarter combat. Watching a fish blow up on your presentation just yards off the bow will make your heart race. Although low tide fishing can be done year round, late Fall through Spring provides the best conditions to hunt fish in the shallows.
Mayport/Vilano Inlet The jetty rocks of Mayport and Vilano inlet provide structure and habitat for hundreds of species of fish year round. Redfish, trout, flounder, black drum and sharks are always available to jetty anglers. But, these river inlets are most well known for producing massive bull reds during August-November, huge black drum from March-May, fat sheepshead during October-December and tarpon during the summer months of June-September. There is always something to be caught around the inlet so just ask what’s biting and the captain will be glad to provide a report.
Nearshore/Offshore The Atlantic Ocean is a big body of water with plenty of big bodied fish. Whether you’re looking to fill the cooler with “sweet meats” or chase monster trophy fish through the surf the captain can make it happen. If conditions are safe Captain Matt is more than willing to sight fish tarpon and cobia along the beach or head offshore for kingfish, snapper, grouper and a variety of other species among local wrecks. However, he can’t emphasize enough the thrill of sight fishing for hundred pound Tarpon during the summer months of May through September. There’s a reason they call this fish the “Silver King” and when you witness one burn line from your reel while hurling themselves into the air like an acrobat, you will understand. North Florida is also known for an outstanding cobia fishery. They can be sight fished off the beaches from March-May or bottom fished with jigs from December through February. Kingfish are most prevalent during the months of June-August and Snapper/Grouper have specific time periods from May through December that anglers are able to harvest.
As if on cue the first real cold snap of the season arrived this month and water temps dropped into the 70's. Low tide will become very productive moving forward as the redfish, trout, drum and flounder seek out the warm, food rich backwaters of the intracoastal waterway. Sight fishing for reds along shallow oyster bars and mud banks is a staple this time of year. Stalking these fish in just inches of water is thrilling. If you’d rather enjoy a liesurely day catching some excellent table fare Sheepshead fishing is also red hot right now.
Latest Fishing Report
November 2024
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