Captain Matt King is a U.S. Coast Guard certified and fully licensed charter captain with over 20 years of fishing experience around Block Island and southern Rhode Island. Raised in Narragansett, R.I., Matt grew up fishing alongside legendary surfcasters, learning the rocky coastline and mastering the art of angling from a young age.

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In the late 1990s, Matt moved to Hawaii, where he graduated from culinary school and built a respected career as a chef. But whenever he wasn’t in the kitchen, he was on the water—surfing, fishing, or sailing. His love for the ocean never left.

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Matt returned to Rhode Island in 2000 to chef at Block Island’s Eli’s restaurant, and by 2003, his true calling was clear—Hula Charters was born. Since then, he’s become a staple of the Block Island fishing scene, running charters for locals and travelers looking for unforgettable adventures.

A former owner of Juice & Java and Topside Café, Matt combined his culinary expertise with his love of fishing. Now, with a commercial seafood dealer’s license, he supplies fresh, local catch to Block Island restaurants—just look for the “B.I. Caught” logo.

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Captain Matt specializes in fly-fishing and sight-casting for striped bass and false albacore in the island’s shallows, using his flats boat to reach hidden spots in the Great Salt Pond. When not in Rhode Island, he spends winters guiding wild pheasant hunts in Kansas and fly-fishing for bonefish in Hawaii.

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He’s also a contributing writer for The Block Island Times, has been published in Rhode Island Monthly, and has been featured in fishing shows and national magazines. He’s an active member of the Rhode Island Angler’s Association and the Block Island Chamber of Commerce.