Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Well, fall is in the air and fishing is really starting to pickup. Snook are congregating on the flats in larger numbers. Most of the snook have been shorts, but the larger ones should go on the bite soon.

Redfish are also biting quite well, most of the fish have been in the slot, ranging from 23 to 26 inches. We are catching some large bull reds amongst the larger schools of fish. We had one day where we happened onto the largest school of reds I have ever seen while fishing offshore, some of the redfish where in the 40-pound class.

The trout fishing has also picked up and a lot of the trout we have been catching are nice keeper size fish.

Cobia should also start moving into the shallows in large numbers as the water cools.

The offshore fishing is picking up as well, we have been catching plenty of little tunny and Spanish mackerel close-outside.

Kingfish should start to show soon in large numbers. October and November are a couple of the better month for fishing as far as I'm concerned, nice weather and lots of fish. If you are interested in getting out give me a call, I still have a few days available. As soon as the kings show in large numbers I will let you know.

Good luck 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

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