Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Hello fellow fishermen, sorry for the delay in my fishing report. We just can't seem to get rid of these cold fronts. It's not like we are in a deep freeze or anything, we just can't seem to get enough sun long enough to warm up the flats. All it will take is a few warm days of sun and we should have really great fishing on the flats. Despite the inconsistent weather we are still having decent days on the mixed bag of fish. The big surprise is the trout fishing. I have to say that trout fishing is as good as it has ever been. It's not just the numbers of fish, it's the average size of the fish. We have been catching trout everyday in the 23 to 26 inch class. Every day but one over the last five days we have boated a trout over 26 inches. That's a real trophy. One day last week after a slow day on snook we made a quick stop at one of my trophy trout holes and caught 10 fish in less than an hour. The smallest trout was 221/2 inches, 3 where 24 or better and one broke the 26 inch mark. Trout fishing truly doesn't get much better than that. The day before yesterday repeated the scenario in the same spot. That doesn't include all the keeper size trout we have been catching in the 17 to 20 inch range. An angler will have no problem bringing some fillets home right now. Along with trout we have been catching some sheepshead, a few black drum and some snook.

For the fly anglers the trout are hitting quite readily. There are a few blue fish crashing the beaches too. Well we have another cold front moving in as I write this. It looks like our snook fishing will be delayed for a few more days. They were just starting to creep back out on the flats yesterday in some real numbers. Even with morning water temps around 70 they would really like to get out on those shallow flats to feed. All we need is for it to really warm up for a couple of days and it won't take long to have some great snook fishing. Really, until then I am not complaining. The afternoon temperatures have left us in tee shirts and shorts, and the trout bite couldn't be any better. Everyone has really been enjoying themselves.

If you are planning a tarpon trip this summer you had better make your plans, I'm running out of dates and currently filling April in. It's one of our best months of the year for snook fishing as well as giant cobia on the flats. We can also have some good redfishing. As for the fly fisherman April is my number one month to stalk and site cast to snook in water so shallow you must get out and wade. It can also be a great time on the near-shore reefs for little tunny, kingfish, Spanish, and yes sometimes permit. Also if you are interested in a giant cobia on the fly it is the best month, the fish are in very shallow water, which makes for excellent site fishing opportunities.

Hope you have enjoyed my fishing report. Good luck fishing!

Capt. Matt Ercoli

  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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