Frequently Asked Questions

Fishing Adventures with Matt Cini specialises in premium private fishing charters, personalised fishing guides and pre-guide fishing consultations throughout Portland, Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and the Mornington Peninsula.

Yes. Children are welcome on our trips. Please advise us when booking so we can arrange the correct size life jackets.

Our trips are suitable for beginners, families and experienced anglers alike. Every charter and guided session is tailored to your experience level.

A fishing charter is a trip on Matt's boat with up to four guests — tackle, bait and safety gear are supplied. Guided fishing is on your own vessel: Matt joins you to teach practical skills using your boat, electronics and equipment. Many clients book a Pre-Guide Fishing Consultation before their first guided day.

Matt's boat takes a maximum of four guests, with a minimum of two guests per booking (unless only one seat remains on an already-booked day). One package (trip type) runs per calendar day. Separate customers may book remaining seats on the same trip until the boat is full.

Charters include quality fishing tackle and equipment, bait and lures, all required safety equipment, professional instruction and guidance, fish cleaning where applicable, and decades of local knowledge. You bring lunch, drinks, sun protection and an esky in your vehicle for your catch.

$1,650 full boat (max 4 guests; book per seat). Duration: 8 hours. Start: 7:00am. Best season: April to July. Departure: Portland Boat Ramp (exact meeting point confirmed with your booking). Includes quality fishing tackle, bait, safety equipment, tuition and local knowledge. Online deposit is 30% of your booking total via Square.

$1,800 full boat (max 4 guests; book per seat). Duration: 8 hours. Start: 7:00am. Best season: offshore when conditions suit. Departure: Portland (exact meeting point confirmed with your booking). Includes quality fishing tackle, bait, safety equipment, tuition and local knowledge. Online deposit is 30% of your booking total via Square; remaining balance is paid on the day by card or cash.

$1,650 full boat (max 4 guests; book per seat at $412.50). Duration: 8 hours. Start: 6:00am. Best season: January to March. Departure: Mornington Peninsula (exact meeting point confirmed with your booking). Includes quality fishing tackle, bait, safety equipment, tuition and local knowledge. Online deposit is 30% of your booking total via Square; remaining balance is paid on the day by card or cash.

$750 per boat. Duration: 6 hours. Start: 6:00am. Best season: available all year. Departure: Mornington Peninsula (exact meeting point confirmed with your booking). Includes quality fishing tackle, bait, safety equipment, tuition and local knowledge.

$800 per boat. Duration: 6 hours. Start: 6:00am. Best season: available all year. Departure: Mornington Peninsula (exact meeting point confirmed with your booking). Includes quality fishing tackle, bait, safety equipment, tuition and local knowledge.

$800 per boat. Duration: 6 hours. Start: 6:00am. Best season: October to April. Departure: Western Port (exact meeting point confirmed with your booking). Includes quality fishing tackle, bait, safety equipment, tuition and local knowledge.

$900 per boat. Duration: 6 hours. Start: 5:00am. Best season: October to December. Departure: Port Phillip Bay (exact meeting point confirmed with your booking). Includes quality fishing tackle, bait, safety equipment, tuition and local knowledge.

$900 per boat. Duration: 6 hours. Start: 6:00am. Best season: available all year. Departure: advised before your trip (exact meeting point confirmed with your booking). Includes quality fishing tackle, bait, safety equipment, tuition and local knowledge.

$750 full day on your own boat throughout Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and the Mornington Peninsula.

$1,000 full day on your own boat targeting offshore species such as Southern Bluefin Tuna and blue eye trevalla off Portland.

Yes. We highly recommend completing a Pre-Guide Fishing Consultation before every guided trip. It prepares your boat, electronics and tackle so more of your guided day is spent fishing and learning.

Guided sessions focus on practical skills you can use long after the day ends — reading your fish finder, boat positioning, GPS and navigation, tides, finding bait and fish, rigging, tackle selection and seasonal strategies for Victorian waters.

A Pre-Guide Fishing Consultation prepares your boat before a guided fishing day. Matt reviews your vessel setup, safety equipment, electronics, sounder, GPS, tackle and rigging so everything is ready before you head onto the water.

$100 per hour with a minimum booking of four hours (maximum eight). For one person. Online deposit is 30% of the booking total. Up to one hour travel each way may be included.

Boat safety, electronics and sounder setup, GPS, tackle selection, rigging, seasonal planning and personalised fishing advice tailored to your vessel and target species.

Anglers with their own boat who want to get the most from a guided day — especially if you are new to your electronics, upgrading tackle, or preparing for offshore or bay species for the first time.

Packed lunch and snacks, plenty of drinking water, suitable clothing for the conditions, a waterproof jacket, non-slip footwear, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and an esky with ice in your vehicle ready to take your catch home.

Quality rods, reels, bait, lures, tackle, all required safety equipment, expert tuition and fish cleaning where practical. On guided trips we work with your equipment on your boat.

Dress for the weather on the day — layers work well on the water. Non-slip shoes are essential. A waterproof jacket is strongly recommended even when the forecast looks fine.

Your safety is our highest priority. If weather or sea conditions are considered unsafe, your trip may be postponed or rescheduled. We will contact you as early as possible to arrange another date.

If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend looking into 1300 Seasick products before your trip and following their guidance for offshore days.

Yes. All required safety equipment is supplied on Matt's charter vessel. Life jackets are available for all passengers — please let us know children's sizes when booking.

Yes. Legal fish may be kept within Victorian fisheries regulations. Large tuna may occasionally be shared between the group. Fish bags are supplied — please bring an esky with ice in your vehicle.

Recreational fishing licence requirements apply in Victoria. Matt will advise you on what is needed for your trip when you book. Please ensure you have a valid licence where required before departure.

No operator can guarantee a catch. Every trip is planned using over 25 years of experience to maximise your chances of success — but fishing conditions, seasons and fish behaviour always play a part.

A maximum of three cans per person. Safety on the water always comes first.

Smoking and vaping are permitted only when safe to do so and at the skipper's discretion.

Online charter bookings require a 30% deposit of your booking total (your per-person share × guests). The remaining balance is paid on the day by card or cash.

The remaining balance is payable on the day by card or cash.

Use the Book page on this website (when online booking is live), complete the enquiry form on our Contact page, or call 0409 075 321. Successful online deposit payment confirms your booking automatically; meeting details are included in your confirmation email.

Online booking deposits are processed by Square. The online store, when live, also uses Square — that is separate from charter and guiding bookings.

Your booking confirmation includes the exact meeting location and departure time. If conditions require a different launch location you will be notified before departure.

Yes. Gift vouchers can be arranged for fishing charters, guided fishing and consultations. Please contact us to purchase a voucher for a specific trip or dollar amount.

Contact us with your voucher details and preferred dates. We will apply the voucher to your booking and confirm availability for your chosen trip.

Corporate groups, team events and commercial fishing operations can be discussed by arrangement. Matt's background includes commercial fishing, offshore boating and marine operations — contact us with your requirements.

Matt has extensive experience in fishing media and television production. For filming, photography or media enquiries on the water, please email info@fishingadventureswithmattcini.com.au with your project details.

Phone: 0409 075 321 · Email: info@fishingadventureswithmattcini.com.au · Or use the contact form on our website.

We are happy to help before you book. Call, email or send an enquiry — we will get back to you with trip advice, availability and meeting details.