Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       So far it has been a typical March, pretty much as good as it gets. The snook are definitely the prime target for most of my fisherman with average catches of 25 to 45 per day. Some fish approach the 40inch class, it's easy to see why they are the most popular sport fish in these parts. Most of the fish are running in the 22 to 30 inch class with a few larger lunkers each week. They have been my most consistent fishing this past month for light tackle and fly fisherman alike. Some of my single fly fishernman have boated over 20 in a day.

Tarpon fishing is also in full swing. Yesterday was my first shot at them for 2004 and we boated a 150 pounder by 10:00 am. Not to mention three fat grouper, all around 27 to 29 inches, while fishing for tarpon that left us plenty of time to run inside for another 20 snook or so. I only had one fisherman and he was pretty worn out by 2:00 pm so we called it an early full day and headed back to the dock. Congratulations to Erick Miller from Rochester, New York for battling and landing his trophy tarpon in under a half-hour on 17-pound test. I like short battles like that; it's much less traumatic on the tarpon and make it much easy for good live releases. As for other fish, we are also catching a few nice redfish mixed in with the snook. Most of the reds are in the 24 to 27 inch class. Good eating size. Fat trout have also been mixed in with other fish, and we have been taking a few 20 plus inchers most days.

Cobia have just begun to show and I should have more reports on them later in the week, I have been seeing a few cruising the flats over 40 pounds.

I have yet to head outside to chase the kingfish but should by the end of the week, you can bet I will be out there chasing those line screamers when they show in fishable numbers. Many of the places I fish I catch kingfish, tuna, grouper and goliath grouper all in the same places. It makes for some of the most exciting fishing I do all year on conventional tackle or fly is you prefer. The kings range up to almost 50 pounds, the little tunny 8 to 15 pounds, the gag grouper up to 20 pounds and the goliath grouper are 200 to 500 pounds. We also catch a number of sharks mixed in the smorgasbord.

Well I hope you have enjoyed the report and I still have a few days left for spring fishing. Remember prime tarpon season is right around the corner. May, June and July are the very best months to plan your trip.

Good luck and tight lines! 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

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

Copyright © 1998-2004 FLY the FLATS, All rights reserved.