Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Happy new-year fellow fisherman. I hope everyone has a great New Year ahead. I brought 2007 in properly with what I hope will bring good fortune for the 2007 fishing season. After partying it up for the New Year I was up at 5:30am preparing for my first charter of the year. Despite the soaking rain my charter and I stuck it out for a very productive day of fishing. We where done fishing by 1:30pm and we landed probably 30 snook and redfish, as well several keeper size trout. All the reds where nice and fat at 23 to 26 inchers. The snook where mostly small but great fighters from 22 to 26 inches. The trout were all keepers from 16 to 19 inches. Not bad for a rainy January 1st.

In all the fishing has been really good the past few weeks. On the colder days the redfishing has been superb with catches of between 40 and 50. Lots of shorter fish but also some keepers everyday, and even some oversized fish. As the water warmed to unseasonable temps we did have a little lull in the fishing as we went though a transition phase. Although even the slow days last week we worked at it hard and pulled off enjoyable days of fishing and landed some real nice fish. On the couple of slow days we had the reds we where catching where really nice a few over 30inches.

The last three days the water has climbed into the low 70's in some spots in the afternoon, which made for some great snook fishing. Two days ago we landed some 40 or so and broke off one that would have gone 20 pounds. Well that's what the past few weeks have brought us, snook, redfish and trout have been the best action for me. We will see what the next few weeks will bring, I expect a lot more snook and redfish. Trout season also opened on the first and the good news is we have just recently been catching more of them, and almost all keepers. That makes for a nice little bonus for those of you that would like some for the grill. Well, that's about it for now, I have time in Jan. available. If you would like to take advantage of a beautiful cool day on the water with some good fishing, let me know.

Also for those of you looking to get out on the water this spring and summer for tarpon let me know soon as I began filling up quickly now that the first of the year is here. Have a great 2007, see you on the water.

Capt. Matt

http://www.captainmatt.com/

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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