Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       How is everyone out there on the fishing scene? First I would like to say thank you to those of you that called and emailed to see how I weathered the storm. It's nice to know that you where thinking of me. Everything is fine here in Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Island. We were very lucky, we braced for the worse, expecting a possible direct hit but luckily received nothing. The storm turned as it strengthened to a category 4 and made land fall about 112 miles south of us right into the mouth of Charlotte harbor. I was down there a few days ago in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte where it made a direct hit. It is pretty messed up, I'd say it will take months to get those cities up and running. Hopefully the clean up effort will move along as quickly as possible. I think it will be even better when the area is rebuilt. As for other areas that where hit, Sanibel , Captiva, Pine Island & Boca Grande, all of those Islands where severely damaged. I think Boca Grand may have faired a little better but I am not sure. I feel sad for everyone who live there but I believe they will build it back stronger and nicer than before. It's amazing to see how fast all the disaster relief has acted.

Well lucky for us its business as usual around here, and the fishing has been absolutely great. Despite the afternoon heat fishing has actually been some of the best of the whole year, at least on the flats anyway. Snook and redfish have been on fire and many of the days this past week I have left the snook biting in search of redfish for the frying pan, only to have the same kind of action with them. One day last week my partner Shawn and I sat next to each other in two boats and in about three hours we boated around a hundred snook with some reds mixed in. Most of the snook I've been catching are in the 22 to 24 inch class with a few approaching 30 inches. Snook season opens on the 1st of Sept. I will start targeting the larger ones soon. Redfishing has been equally as fast, many of the schools are perfect eating size, fish in the 22 to 26 inch class. I have also been on a couple schools of reds that are made up of those bulls in the 28 to 34 inch class. Anything over 27 inches must be put back. August, Sept., and Oct. are always great redfish months, usually the best of the year, and it seems that this year they will hold their tradition. Each fall our redfishing has been getting a little better than the one before.

As for tarpon, there are still plenty of resident silver kings to catch. Most are in the 60 to 150 pound class & larger ones are possible. Though few people target them this time of year the action can be very dependable and actually quite well.

I am catching some nice trout while fishing for snook and reds but have little reason to target them when everything else is biting this good.

As for offshore fishing, little tunny and mackerel are biting well. There are also a few permit available for those willing to work for them.

Well that's what I've been up to, I hope you have enjoyed my report. Snook season opened up the first of this month. September is hot, but very good fishing. October and November are a couple of my very favorite months, beautiful weather; great fishing and light boat traffic makes for a great combo. So if you are looking to have some fun on the water let me know and start making your plans soon. Good luck and have fun fishing, Capt. Matt

  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

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