Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Hi everyone, it's time for my 4th of July fishing report, direct from the 90 degree tarpon infested waters of Anna Maria island. Tarpon season so far has been a great year for me and very consistent. Most everyday we have been able to hook up 3 or 4 tarpon. This past week I had one of my best tarpon days so far. We trolled over glass-calm bay waters, and for at least half a mile we had all the tarpon we could cast to, school after school and I bet there was more than three hundred fish in one of the schools. Although I have seen much larger schools this season we were able to hook up a dozen or more fish that day. The smallest may have been 75 pounds and the largest close to 150. I have to admit I really love tarpon fishing and it's my favorite thing to do. There is just nothing like putting one of my customers on their first tarpon. Whether it's their first fish of the day, or their first tarpon ever, the experience is always the same for me. I just love the excitement of setting up on a large school perfectly, then watch the bait as the pod of tarpon slowly make their way toward it, and of course the hell that breaks loose after the hook up. It can really be an adrenaline fix. There have been lots of tarpon this year and they are distributed everywhere equally as well. Mostly it has been the favorable weather we are having for fishing them. Yesterday, even amongst all the holiday weekend traffic, we manage 6 hook ups and had our own large school of tarpon all to ourselves all day long. The largest, a mean 150 pounder, whipped 3 full grown men before he was lost at the side of the boat. It's been very good and it looks like July will be equally strong, I'm looking forward to it. Although most of the fishing I do this time of year is for tarpon I've done a few flats charters for those who don't wish to battle a silver king. Snook have been very good and I've had some great days in the shallow clear water on them. Even on slow days 20 snook are quite easy and 40 to 50 per day have been the norm. Redfishing is really starting to pick up, especially for the larger ones. There are some really nice schools of 30 to 35 inchers out there with plenty of eating size fish mixed in. I would have to say the flats fishing is as hot as the weather, which is standard for July in Florida. I've been seeing a few permit around and plenty of sharks. One of my buddies, though I rarely target them, say the Spanish mackerel are biting very well.

Drink plenty of fluids and catch a little shade every once in a while, July is a great time to be on the water. Happy 4th to everyone and remember to be safe out on the water.

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

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