Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

      Well I know it's been a while since a fishing report but with Thanksgiving and all it's been very busy, plus I took a little vacation to do some deer hunting with my dad. Yes, if you are wondering, I got a nice eight-pointer. Everyone always asks what do you do on vacation when you're a fulltime fishing guide, well there's your answer, I love to sit in the woods and observe nature.

Now for the fishing conditions, we are still in wintertime conditions, I believe it will stay that way with water temps where they are until February, but you never know. I'm still having some good days on snook, although the consistency has dropped off a bit now that their metabolism as slowed. I found some nice schools of redfish and had a few pretty good days on them. Most of the fish are not large though, I would say averaging between 18 and 24 inches, still good fighters on light tackle and equally good to eat. I'm also catching piles of trout of all sizes, literally till we get tired of reeling them in. They always like to bite well in mid 60-degree water.

We are also catching a few pompano in the 2 to 3-pound class, great fighters and even better to eat. The sheepshead are moving in and some with good sizes up to 5 pounds. They should only get better from here on as the water cools. Black-drum fishing has also been a productive mix with the sheepshead, most are in the 5 to 8 pound class, but we have boated a few up to 12 pounds. Smaller black-drum of this size also makes for some great eating.

I'm also catching a few grouper, snapper and flounder. As many of the offshore bottom dwellers move into the bay we always catch a few of them when targeting other fish.

Well, that pretty much sums it up, that's what's going on for now. If you're looking for a fishing trip or heading this way for Christmas give me a call, I still have a few days left. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and looking forward to a nice Christmas too.

Capt. Matt Ercoli

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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