Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Springtime conditions are finally here and the flats are teeming with fish. The weather has been superb, except for a couple of days following this weekend's cold front. Warm weather is in the forecast though and snook especially are on the feed. The past couple of weeks have marked what I consider to be the beginning of snook season. Although the season opened Feb.1st, real snook fishing doesn't begin until the water starts to approach 70 degrees, which it has off and on lately. On some of our best days last week we left the snook biting after landing 50 or so. As the cold front slid further north and the water temp continues to warm, fishing will only get better. Many of the larger snook will begin to feed. Most of the snook we are catching are in the 22 to 27 inch class, but it's only a matter of days before we begin to catch more fish in that 30 inch plus class. We have had some really fun days on snook here lately and the really neat thing about where I have been fishing lately is the water clarity and how shallow the snook are laying as they feed and warm themselves in the afternoon sun. Many of the fish are in extremely clear water, as shallow as a foot and a half. It's awesome, many times you see the whole spectacle unfold right before your eyes. You see the fish, cast to him, then watch in anticipation as the fish streaks to devour you bait or fly. It's the kind of condition fisherman around the world dream of, it truly seems as if it couldn't get any better. As for other fish on the flats, we have been catching quite a few reds in the 17 to 26 inch class, mixed in with the schools of snook. We have also been catching a number of trout in the shallows with the largest toppling 24inches.

As for offshore fishing, snapper and grouper are still good, although I myself have not been heading out there because the flats' fishing is too good. Give it another three weeks or so and I figure my guys will be heading out there with me slamming the smoker kingfish, tuna and goliath grouper. The tarpon should start up soon as well, I give it another two weeks for some real consistency. Well hope you have enjoyed my report, I have a few days left this spring if you are interested, as well as a few tarpon days for May, June and July. Let me know if you are interested.

I hope everyone is enjoying the weather and having good luck fishing, and for you northerners, lets hope the ice melts quickly for you. Keep those drags screaming.

Capt Matt

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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