Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

      Well Well, spring is in the air and midday water temps have reached the low 70's. That equals one thing, great fishing. Finally after a long and what seemed like endless cold winter we have begun to breakout. Snook, redfish and very large trout have begun their invasion onto our shallow clear backcounty flats. We are gearing up for some of the fastest flats fishing of the year. This past week has been a solid one for snook, they are just starting to awaken from their near dormant stage in the frigid waters of winter. They are moving onto the shallow water staging areas for what is some the most consistent snook fishing we have to offer. This past week we had a day where we boated over 15 snook, not a lot by any means but a real good start. A few more days of some good warm weather and snook fishing will explode. Days of 25 to 40 snook will be the norm and on the very best days it is possible to break a hundred.

We have also had some decent red fishing this past week, most of the reds are in the 20 to 24 inch class and perfect eating size. They too have really started to pick up and it seems each and everyday I run across more and more of them. A lot of fellow fishing guides are seeing the same thing and the general consensus is that we are predicting a great year for redfish.

Trout have really come on strong. Although this winter has been good on numbers the really large ones have just started to really turn on. Yesterday we caught a pile of trout, nearly everyone was between 18 to 24 inches and it should only get better.

We are also catching some nice pompano mixed in with the trout. Most are in the 3 to 4 pound range, they are my personal favorite to eat. Spanish mackerel have moved into the bay in larger numbers and the average nice size is between 20 and 24 inches.

I have not been offshore yet but I figure in about three weeks or so the kingfish and little tunny should really start cranking up as well. We were still catching some flounder and really nice sheeps head this week. We had a sheeps head that would have gone 7 pounds I bet. That pretty much sums up our catches lately and it's only going to get much better from here on. I still have a few days left in March and April. If you are planning a tarpon trip you had better start making plans. May, June and July are the very best months and I am filling up fast. I hope you have enjoyed my report, if you're heading out on the water in the near future good luck and have a great time fishing

Capt. Matt.

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

Copyright © 1998-2003 FLY the FLATS, All rights reserved.