Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Hello fellow fisherman, Now for the reason why you are really here, how is the fishing? Most of my days are spent on the flats chasing snook and redfish. Redfish are right on track for a typical October pattern. We are catching keeper's everyday, along with over sized fish in the 28 to 34 inch class. They are great fighters, especially in the shallow water we are taking them in. I had a few days this past week where my guys actually gave up reeling them in. Having triple hook-ups of redfish that size for a couple hours straight can be quite tiring. We had a few days where we boated nearly 30 over sized reds, talk about tangled fishing lines. October should remain good for redfish.

As for snook fishing, we are still catching between 10 and 15 per day, not as many as we where catching earlier. No worries though, as soon as they move into their fall pattern it will pick up significantly, especially in size. October and November are traditionally great months for snook, both are great months for a real trophy snook over 20 pounds.

Trout fishing on the flats has picked up too, although we aren't targeting them much I have a few spots where we can make a quick stop for some nice keepers if you're in need of a few extra fillets.

Offshore fishing has been quite well for us lately. Most of the Spanish are good size, 20 to 24 inches with a few larger. All the little tunny are between 8 and 15 pounds. There are a few cobia out there, the only problem is getting a bait to them before a tunny or Spanish snags it. The offshore fishing is especially fun for my fly anglers, even a first time fly angler can catch fish offshore right now.

Well that's about it, October should be real good, the snook will pick up and maybe the kings will start to show in fishable numbers.

Hope you have enjoyed my report, Good luck on the water and give a call if you are interested in a charter.

Capt. Matt Ercoli

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 © 1998-2005 FLY the FLATS, All rights reserved.