Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

      Well September is finally here along with the opening of snook season. August was a great month for fishing but it's nice to see that we are getting a little closer to fall and break away from this dog day summer heat. Actually I would have to say this past August would have to be the best I can remember. It was especially good for snook. On some of the better days we caught over 45 fish, not a lot of big ones but the action was fast. Most of the snook were in the 22 to 26 inch class. Now with the opening of snook season I will start to search and locate schools of larger fish. As for redfishing, it has turned out to be a typical August, lots of fish in lots of locations with sizes from 15 inches to 35 inches. August and September are traditionally our better redfish months and it seems that it will hold true this year as well. I have also had some great offshore fishing the past month. We had some great catches of little tunny, cobia and Spanish mackerel. I like to take my die-hard fly charters offshore this time of year. It's very consistent and there is nothing like a 15 pound little tunny on a nine-weight fly rod, or a 30-pound cobia for that matter. I had a few days offshore this past month that where absolutely ridiculous. I had fish chummed up and coming from every direction. It's a problem when you have 10 and 15 pound little tunny eating your fly when your trying to cast to a school of 20 to 30 pound cobia. One day we even had an unseasonable 50-inch king fish eat the fly on the surface just a few meters off the bow of the boat.

I'm looking forward to a great September, it's always a great month for the flats as well as offshore. The fishing should be very similar to August but cooler. Now that snook season is open I will spend more time looking for larger fish, unless the redfish keep us too busy. It's hard to pass up a school of bull reds even if they are too big to keep. They pull so hard and are so willing to cooperate whether you cast live bait or a fly. We have lots going on these days, really the decision is yours. Redfish, snook, little tunny, cobia and the permit have started to show a bit lately.

I hope you have enjoyed my report, if you are interested in going fishing give me a call. Good luck on the water!

Capt. Matt Ercoli

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

Capt. Matt,

I finally got around to scanning in the pictures of my daughter (Danielle) with her snook. Martha, Danielle and I really enjoyed our fishing trip that afternoon. It was easily the best fishing trip Danielle has ever been on and the largest fish she has ever caught. Thanks. I hope we get to come back and do it again some day.

Happy Fishing, David Dodson

      My Son told me to click on to your web site to get your latest fishing report. Glad to see that you referenced our fishing trip we chartered with you. I was the angler who lost the "BIG" one and then boated the 37 inch snook. Alan, my son was the one that battled the cobia. It was the first time I ever angled for snook or chased cobia on the flats. Have always been an off shore fisherman. It was a great experience, exciting and a lot of fun. You are a great captain and fisherman, definitely know where the fish are and techniques on how to catch them. My Son, Alan, and myself will definitely be back to fish with you. I told him to send you the pictures, hope that he did. Thanks again for the thrill!

Tom Radwanski - Jacksonville, Florida

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