Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

What’s biting these days? or what’s not biting may be a better question?  It’s that time when everything explodes on the fishing scene.   The water temps have suddenly risen and with that new schools of fish have started moving in.  The water temps are approaching 80 and you know what that means.  Tarpon and lots of them, it’s time, and they we are right on course for the southern migration to hit Tampa bay.  I just started fishing them yesterday, we jumped four and landed one and I can assure you it will do nothing but get better from here on out.  My boat is tarpon ready, last weekend I did my annual tarpon fishing prep to my boat.  This year I have over 6 hp of trolling motor and enough battery juice to keep them running all day, so basically we will have more silent approaches, more opportunities, and more silver kings on the line.  Last year we averaged 5 to 7 hookups per day. On the better days we had over 10 and as many as 15.  Let’s see if we can bust the averages this year.  May thru July is my favorite time of year. I spend most of it tarpon fishing.  I live to wake up for the thrill of the hunt and the first connection each day.  Most of our tarpon average 75 to 130lbs but each and every year we put some 200 pounders into the air.

            Tarpon will make up the bulk of my fishing over the next three months because it’s my specialty, but they are not the only fish out there biting. The flats fishing for snook and trout is equally as good, we’ve had a lot of snook this week and they will continue to bite well as we come into the spawning season.  Trout has been the real blessing all week, they are biting as fast as you can pull them in, with lots of nice keepers to boot. This is so nice to see after the poor trout fishing caused by red tide a few years back.  Well the trout are back and nearly as good as ever, maybe not as many real monsters but they are fast growers and it won't take long to be back where they use to be.  Redfish is still decent, not quite as good as they were a month ago, but guess something needs to slow down a little.

            The offshore fishing has also suddenly picked up.  We haven’t had much of a kingfish run this year but everything else is biting out there.  Lots of Spanish mackerel, little tunny, grouper, and yes the permit have just recently showed as well and some real nice ones up to 25 pounds.  The actions hot now for light, heavy or fly tackle fisherman alike. If there is a time to go for explosive action it’s right now.

Well that’s all for now, if you would like to get a tarpon let me know soon, I have just a few days left.  I wish everyone good luck and tight lines.

Capt. Matt 1-800-521-2872

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

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