Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Hello fellow fisherman, fall is in the air, my very favorite time of year to fish. It's not only that the fishing is very good, but that combined with low humidity, perfect air temperate and especially the tranquil peacefulness you get of having fewer boats on the water. With only a few snowbirds in town right now and most of the local fisherman out hunting, it leaves all the water to just a few of us charter captains and local diehards. I wish it was fall all year.

Well now, lets get to the fishing. It's been mostly on the flats for snook which has been the majority of the catch. Like every fall the larger snook are starting to gorge themselves to pack on fat for winter. I guess they don't get big by being stupid and now is the time to eat before most of the bait becomes less available. As a whole the snook are really on the bite, but especially the larger fish. I have been catching snook nearly everyday over the 30inch mark, as well as a hand full of true trophies. Last week we caught two around 39 to 40 inches and I can't remember how many that size we broke off. The preparation for winter and the lack of fishing pressure always leaves the larger fish vulnerable. We are also catching lots of smaller snook in the 20 to 27 inch range as well and they have been keeping my fishermen very busy most of the day. On our better days the past few weeks we probably boated 45 snook, even on our slowest with cold fronts I can't think of any days where we caught less than 20 or 25. So snook fishing has been very consistent.

As for other fishing opportunities, reds have been biting but not with the same consistency as the snook. Last week we had a few days where we boated maybe 10 to 15 while snook fishing. Most of the reds have been running smaller 17 to 25 inches.

Though trout are out of season they have started biting better than I have seen since the spring. There have been some really nice ones. My fishermen have actually been catching most of their trout in the 17 to 21 inch class with just a few smaller ones mixed in.

Yesterday while on a school of snook we were getting some large jacks moving through sporadically, 12 to 15 pounders, boy can they smoke a drag on 10-LB test spinning tackle.

We have also had some whopper flounder on the flats, one that I bet would have gone 24inches. Most of the flounder have been eating size and at least a few inches larger than the 12in min. Most have been what I would consider worth cleaning, I kept one for myself this week, man are they good eating.

There are also a few cobia starting to show up on the fats, most of what I've been seeing are shorts, say 30 inches or so following sting rays. Who knows, maybe we will see some larger ones this week to cast to. As for offshore, the flats fishing has been too good for me to venture out there, if the kings come in thick you can't bet I'll be out there.

Well I hope you have enjoyed my report. Let me know if you want to get out on the water and enjoy some great fall fishing. Until next time, keep those drags screaming.

Capt. Matt Ercoli

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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