Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

    Hello from Anna Maria, it’s July 2nd and nearly a dozen tarpon hooked up before 1 o’clock in the afternoon. We called it quits early, weary backs and sore biceps. That’s what happens when you’re sticking the hook into 100 pound class silver kings and that last 150 pounder finished my group off early today.  It’s been great tarpon fishing this week and for the whole season for that matter.  Most days this past week we have been averaging around 10 hookups a day.  Everything has been ideal for tarpon, light winds, clear water, and not too much rain. So it’s just been consistently good all around.  I have just really been enjoying myself this tarpon season so far.  It finally feels like summer just this past week or so, hot but not too bad with the sea breeze.  The tarpon are really acting and moving as if it was the first of June not the first of July. I think the season is going to run later this year and I think we will finish July strong and maybe run into August.  I mean this last moon just brought in so many fish and they are everywhere I go. I am running into schools of tarpon and really large ones.  One day last week  I sat on 5 or 6 schools of fish all around my boat, all 500 or more fish per school, all crashing the surface, all biting, sharks crashing making them leap out of the water like minnows on the flats,  and I was the only boat within a half mile. It was an incredible sight even if we hadn't dropped a hook in the water.  That’s why I believe Tampa bay has got to be some of the best tarpon fishing in the world.  So many fish and May thru July its all sight fishing large schooling fish, at least that’s what I target anyway.  At this rate my boat is looking at hooking up over 450 to 500 plus tarpon in just 3 months from May 1st till the end of July.  We have had several large fish landed this year, probably 5 or 6 around 200 pounds with lots of 150 and countless 100 pound plus fish, and some very exciting shark attacks one of which I have all on video.  Wait till you see this 15ft hammerhead crush a tarpon just a few feet off the boat? I will have it online hopefully in August for everyone to get a little taste of the moment.  It’s been an exciting season, I’m sure July will be equally as good.

    As for other fish, snook and redfish have been pretty good the few days we did backwater fish this past month. We caught lots of snook, although tarpon is really my main quarry right now and will be till the end of July. That’s not because the flats is not good though.

    Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed my report, I have a few days left in July if you want get out and jump some tarpon, let me know soon. I Hope everyone enjoys this report, good luck on the water fishing.

    Capt.  Matt.   1-800-528-2872

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

Copyright © 1998-2006 FLY the FLATS, All rights reserved.