About Black Pearl Charters

Skipper: Matt Dobson

I grew up fishing in Wellington chasing anything with fins. In the past I have run charters in the Bay of Islands NZ, catching everything from Snapper to Marlin and I have been a top Trout guide in Queenstown. After fishing the Wellington area for over 20 years I established Black Pearl Charters in 2013 and I am enjoying every minute of it.

My philosophy on guiding is to get you guys out there fishing and having fun. So I have built up a fishing charter that I would want to fish with if i was going on a charter – fast, clean, safe but most all fun.

Whether this is your first time or you have fished the world, you won’t be disappointed by my knowledge of the area and the fishing we have on offer. My friendly relaxed attitude will be sure to make for an enjoyable day on the water.

Black-Pearl-Fishing-Charters-skipper-Matt-Dobson

Boat: The Black Pearl

Black pearl fishing charters 10m Osprey boat

The BRAND NEW Black Pearl is a custom built 10m Osprey powered by twin 225 Yamaha outboards supporting the latest release in outboard technology, Yamahas “HELM MASTER” system.

Fully kitted out with the latest Raymarine electronics, with Matts 25 years of fishing in the Wellington area and ongoing experience in the charter industry no detail has been overlooked.

In full restricted coastal Maritime survey she truly is a go anywhere boat and the newest most modern charter boat in the Wellington area.

Reliable & fast, cruising at 30 knots she gets you to the fishing spots quickly and safely, meaning more time for fishing and less time traveling!

Directions: Launching Locations

On the majority of trips we leave from Mana Cruising Club or occasionally Seaview Marina depending on the weather and fishing expectations, I will confirm this with you the night before.

Mana Marina
Mana Marina

Mana Cruising Club 5 Pascoe Avenue, Mana, Porirua 5026, New Zealand.

When heading north on SH1 after going over the inlet bridge take a left at the second set of traffic lights at the marina motel. Head over the train tracks and take a left between the rugby fields. I will be to the right by the launching ramp.

Seaview Marina
Seaview Marina

Seaview Marina 100 Port Road, Seaview, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand.

Park on Port Road closest to the corner of Marine Drive (Eastbourne end) Walk through the track by the toilets and across the car park. I will be in front of you at the launching ramp.

  • positive review  Fantastic day out on the Black Pearl with a group of great mates. The skipper Matt runs a well oiled operation with great local knowledge of several fishing spots with pretty much most target species getting dragged up ... our day out was finished perfectly with the “ catch and release “ of an absolute monster snapper which will be talked about for years to come! Definitely going again !

    Tony Tasker Avatar Tony Tasker
    October 10, 2019

    positive review  Matt's a great host, found us a great spot and we all came home with some snapper. will go again

    Kevin Anderson Avatar Kevin Anderson
    March 17, 2019

    Hands down best charter in Wellington. Top quality gear & a skipper full of knowledge. highly recommended. 🐟

    Lisa Noble Avatar Lisa Noble
    December 7, 2017
  • positive review  Best charter in Wellington

    Keith Storey Avatar Keith Storey
    December 3, 2019

    positive review  Recommend Black Pearl Charters to anyone! Enjoyed yesterday even in the southerly cold and rain it was a lot of fun! No wind and calm sea. Thanks to Matt for the afternoon! Will be back!

    Ro Brown Avatar Ro Brown
    June 24, 2019

    positive review  went out with Matt the other night an had an awsome time, great guy with a primo boat an knows his stuff. will deffinitly be going out with him again.

    Sam Sydow Avatar Sam Sydow
    March 2, 2021
  • negative review  I am ashamed to say i wasted money with these cowboys Fool on me for trusting these Crooks

    Jamie Doyle Avatar Jamie Doyle
    January 30, 2021

    positive review  Our team had a great afternoon on Black Pearl. It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed the fishing.

    Fiona Palmer Avatar Fiona Palmer
    December 15, 2019

    Awesome!!! Was able to look after us very well especially Dad who loved his night out on the water. Found us plenty for a feed will definately be back!!

    Isaac Isa'ako Avatar Isaac Isa'ako
    October 21, 2017
  • Wonderful day. Matt knows his stuff and the good fishing places around welly coast. Would definitely go out with him again.

    Philip Meldon Avatar Philip Meldon
    March 31, 2018

    Fantastic day today. Thanks heaps Matt what an awesome charter. You were so welcoming and we all had a great time.

    Gaylene Boggs Avatar Gaylene Boggs
    March 30, 2018

    negative review  would not recommend very unpleasant

    Ryan Shepard Avatar Ryan Shepard
    January 7, 2021
  • positive review  Awesome good fishing Matt will look after ya

    Carl Coley Avatar Carl Coley
    October 30, 2018

    positive review  Amazing charter. Matt is a great fisherman and host. Fully recommend

    Rory Lenihan-Ikin Avatar Rory Lenihan-Ikin
    April 29, 2021

    positive review  Matt really looks after you and puts you on to good fish.

    Steve Ellis Avatar Steve Ellis
    January 23, 2020
  • positive review  Very comfortable and great new boat. Matt is a great skipper and landed us right on the fish. Great evening out.

    Eric Rawlings Avatar Eric Rawlings
    December 18, 2019

    positive review  We had another awesome trip with Matt Dobson, he is friendly and has a very clean and tidy vessel, its a beast of a boat really. The fishing was a day of surprises starting with the weather followed by a mixed bag with Snapper, Gurnard, Trevally, Tarakihi, Kahawai all coming aboard... Cheers Matt boys were stoked....

    Patrick Barrett Avatar Patrick Barrett
    December 22, 2020

    positive review  We had an amazing trip out with Black Pearl! The captain was awesome and the fishing was so much fun with plenty of snapper fillets to take home. Totally recommend and we’ll be back for more. Worth every cent!

    Sarah Sally Schiess Moncheur Avatar Sarah Sally Schiess Moncheur
    April 9, 2021
  • Awesome morning out on the black pearl this morning. Snapper for the boys, kingi for the queen few kahawai in amongst it too! Great hospitality from Matt! Real down to earth and realistic. Highly recommend to anyone looking to do a fishing charter.

    Amanda MacDonald Avatar Amanda MacDonald
    February 15, 2018

    negative review  extremely disappointed with this charter I would have got better value setting fire to my money

    Al Hackett Avatar Al Hackett
    December 28, 2020

    Fantastic charter and fantastic captain. #options

    Steve Bird Avatar Steve Bird
    December 7, 2017
  • positive review  Very professional pilot. Very lovely boat. great afternoon

    Glenda Athea Avatar Glenda Athea
    November 2, 2019

    positive review  Another fantastic day out on the water with Matt and The Black Pearl. He certainly knows where to find the fish. Would certainly recommend this Charter to anyone. We've had several trips with Matt now and he never disappoints. Bring on the next one!

    Tracy McAra Avatar Tracy McAra
    July 3, 2022

    Over the last few years have been out with Matt at least 10 times. Had some incredible days and even the hard days fishing by Matt's standards outshine some of the other charters I've been on.

    Jason Benham Avatar Jason Benham
    October 24, 2017
  • positive review  Great afternoon out on the boat, even though the fish avoided my hook- the others had more luck. Matt was absolutely brilliant with our 7 year old grandson answering his questions with great patience. We will definitely be back. Thank you

    Amanda Meldon Avatar Amanda Meldon
    December 30, 2019

    Great charter heaps of fun..... skipper is awesome

    Daz Horsley Avatar Daz Horsley
    January 12, 2018

    positive review  Matt is a very relaxed operator, but don't be fooled. Behind the jovial man lies a wealth of fishing knowledge, not just of local Wellington waters. You will receive excellent care and dedication from a passionate skipper who loves to share his enjoyment of fishing with everyone, wether you are an absolute newbie to a seasoned veteran, your time will be structured around making fishing memories. Black Pearl Charters Wellington are one of the best I've had the pleasure of engaging for a fishing fix. I'm not new to fishing and I couldn't fault Matt's operation and cant recommend him enough. Cheers Matt, we will be back for sure.

    Aaron Reade Avatar Aaron Reade
    July 15, 2019
  • Been a couple of times - each time Matt went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. Top notch gear, local knowledge, comfortable boat and gets you onto the fish super quick thanks to twin grunty outboards. Worth every penny.

    Aengus Jankowsky Avatar Aengus Jankowsky
    October 24, 2017

    positive review  Matty is best skipper and good fun good times and almost guaranteed catching fish and very reasonable prices A+++

    Chris Nichols Avatar Chris Nichols
    April 3, 2019

    positive review  We had a great time fishing with Black Pearl Charters on Saturday, a couple of nice kings returned to the sea for next time, Matt is a great skipper and has an awesome boat, plenty of space and a comfortable ride, We will definitely be back, I would recommend this operator if you are looking for a great day on the water. Cheers Matt Gazz

    Garry Howes Avatar Garry Howes
    June 29, 2020
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