Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       There are Tarpon, Tarpon and more Tarpon. The southern migration has been a little later this year due to cold water temps, but they are thick as thieves out there now. Up until then I was stuck fishing the resident fish out of Tampa Bay. Last week we nailed a two hundred-pound tarpon up in the bay and have had a lot of good success besides that fish. Now the true flood of tarpon has showed on the beach and we are starting to catch the numbers. This is my favorite time of year to sight and stalk tarpon. Schools sometimes exceeding 200 fish, and it's awesome. On the best days we will hook as many as a dozen tarpon, all ranging from 75 to 175 pounds and even on the slowest days we manage at least 2 or 3 hook ups. If you would like to catch a tarpon now is the time, last week on our best day we hooked nine fish, but things are just starting to heat up and it will only get better from here.

As for other fish, this past month has been the best and most consistent redfishing I have seen in years and snook have also been very good. Most of the reds are averaging 23 to 34 inches while snook are averaging 21 to 28, with a few over 30 inches. There are also plenty of trout over the deep grass as well as some really large Spanish mackerel mixed in.

As for offshore fishing, we have had a tremendous kingfish run which is now slowing down, as well as lots of nice snapper, gag grouper and little tunny. If you want something really big the goliath grouper have been biting really good. The largest we landed this past month would have easily toppled 400 pounds. Well if you are interested in fishing, give me a call. I still have a few days left for tarpon season. Good luck on the water and have fun fishing.

Capt. Matt

Matt, both Mike and I were once again blown away with the fish you got us into! In the five or six years I have been coming up to fish with you we have never had a bad day! The offshore fishing this year for the kingfish was incredible and the day on snook was just about the best day fishing I have ever had (I won't even guess at how many we had on)! You can plan on us being back next year, and for that matter, every year! I have had the good luck to fish all over the world, and your area is at the top of my list for great saltwater fishing! Thanks and tight lines until next time.
Sincerely, Steve Brugger

  Matt, Hope all is well and the bite is still on! Just wanted to thank you again for a great time on the water. We had a blast! Also, wanted to see if you'd mind forwarding on the pic's your father took at your dock (FYI: trip was on May 2nd, caught several large kingfish). Anyway, Caroline, her father (especially), and I are all anxious to see if we made this month's fishing report. We'll keep checking, but we realize that your much busier fishing than advertising this time of year. Take care and we're hoping to plan another trip soon. I've already given your info to a friend that'll be in the Tampa area next month.

Cody cody@nutterinc.com

WOW!!! What a trip I had with Captain Matt!!! I went fishing with Captain Matt to catch a tarpon. Not only did I catch a tarpon but a wide variety of fish from grouper to snook. Captain Matt is very experienced at what he does and when I go back to sunny Florida I will fish with him again!!!! Captain Matt, Thanks for filling a dream with the tarpon I caught!!!

Sincerely, Eric

Captain Matt,

Just a word of thanks on behalf of my brother, father, nephew and of course myself. This past week we had a cold front come in and it dropped the water temp down into the low 60's but you once again were able to keep us on fish all day. We boated almost 20 Snook with probably that many more cut off. Several nice keepers included! This was our second trip with you and I assure you it won't be our last. If you would like to use me for a reference I would be glad to talk to anyone. Your knowledge of the area and where the fish are at is superb, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your services. I look forward to fishing with you next month, Good fishing and tight lines.

Thanks again, Chris Brownlow, 863-412-0786

Capt. Matt:

      Just wanted to thank you for the WORLD CLASS fishing trip you guided my son Justin and I to on April 30, 2002! I have fished all over America including guiding and tournament fishing at senior levels and have never found a more professional guide. Your equipment, boat, bait, and knowledge are all SUPERIOR. After many "flats" trips in the Tampa Bay Area with other guides you are now my permanent yearly choice!

     This was the 1st time I was able to bring my son along and contacted you in advance with one request, "keep my son hooked up and don't worry about size". I cannot describe the trill of watching Justin land 76 Snook. And we had size to go with the numbers. And as you described in your 5/6 fishing report we only fished one rod at a time. As soon as we cast the 2nd rod( usually before) we were hooked up on the 1st rod and I just reeled in the 2nd rod to watch Justin have the time of his life. I do want to differ a bit from your report stating we could have caught 100 fish. I honestly believe if we would have fished both rods hard we would have caught 200.

     I am very grateful for your efforts. I have personally guided for bass, crappie and stripers and know what it takes to keep equipment in first class shape. I was especially impressed with the quality of your bait(Greenbacks) and the amount you had to chum and fish with. I am already looking forward to fishing with you next year and please feel free to post this if you wish and if any one needs a reference please do not hesitate to have them contact me.

Bill Manning, William.Manning@att.net

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