Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Hi everyone, we sure are having some great weather this December. Winds out of the north today and it's probably still 70 plus as I write this at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Well I have a few interesting things to talk about before we get to the report. First is on an offshore outing aboard a friend of mines boat, the Lucky Dog, we nailed a sailfish about 30 miles out, not a big one but about 65 inches or so. That's a pretty rare catch in these parts and only the second I've been part of. The funny thing is that the fish hit a grouper rig with a 6 once weight with dead bait sitting on the bottom. Who would of thought there was a sailfish on the end of that rod, especially when we had flat lines out on the surface. Another thing I saw on the water this past week was an osprey carrying a flounder. Now I have never seen that before, I've seen them flying along with all kinds of different fish, but how do suppose an osprey saw and then dove down to catch a mud covered, camo colored fish like a flounder on the bottom. As he past by my fisherman and I admired the beautiful sight and I exclaimed, "well you'll never seen that again". Of course wouldn't you know that 15 minutes later another osprey passed by carrying a flounder coming from the opposite direction. So I guess they are much better fishermen than I ever thought. I wonder if they catch stingrays too. I'll let you know as soon as I see that, you can bet on it. Okay more on fishing. With winter coming on we are going into a transition phase. Water temp is critical to locating and catching fish on a consistent basis this time of year. A good fisherman knows that the water temp gauge is crucial to locating and catching fish from one day to the next. A few degree change in temp can effect my whole approach, from location to the bait I use to catch them. Redfishing has been very good, especially on the coldest days. We had a few days where we caught over 50 and never pulled anchor. They are ranging from 16 to 26 inches depending on the school. Sometimes I find myself weeding though lots of small reds to get a nice keeper. The action is real fast and it's a lot of fun. There are still a lot of green back minnows around but it seems that the reds have switch to shrimp, even on the warmer days shrimp are what the reds are eating.

As for snook, I'm still pitching the white bait to them but on some of the colder days shrimp was working better for them as well. Now that the water is back in the 70s white bait is choice. This past week we averaged probably 20 to 30 snook per day, mostly small, 22 to 25 inches but we did have a few keepers under 30 inches. The water is ultra clear on a lot of the flats where snook are laying and on some they are a little finicky. I have actually been targeting snook which are hold up in the dirty water so they are easier to fool.

There are nice trout around, though I haven't been targeting them, I've been seeing some nice schools of large eating size fish on deeper grass, remember trout season opens on the first of January. We have also been getting some nice jacks in real shallow water while fishing for snook. Most is in the 10 to 12 pound range and a few larger. I know you fly fisherman out there like to here that.

Sheephead are also in thick and are mixed in with the reds. We have caught them up to 6 pounds thus far.

As for offshore, grouper is the main target, there are still a few large kings out there now that the water has warmed up, we had a pair around 20 pounds a few days ago. The grouper are everywhere though I haven't targeted them much lately. It seems that most are within 20 miles to all the way up in the Tampa bay ships channel. Well I hope you have enjoyed my report. My calendar is already starting to fill for next year and well into tarpon season this next summer. If you are planning a trip start getting it together. I really fill up after New Years.

Seasons greeting, Capt. Matt

www.captainmatt.com

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 © 1998-2006 FLY the FLATS, All rights reserved.