Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Hello fellow sportsmen and sportswomen, how's fall treating yall? It is absolutely beautiful out here on Anna Maria. I know I have said it many times, but truly as far as I'm concerned, there is no better time to be fishing in these parts or just lounging around on the Island. It's near perfect weather, in the mid 70's with low humidity and us islanders have it all to ourselves this time of the year. At least it feels like that when you compare it to the rest of the year. It's the weather, solitude and good fishing that make this my favorite time to be on the water. I spent many days this week out on Tampa bay fishing and feel as if we where one of the only ones out there, except for a few other local guides that for the most part all respect each others water. It's funny, and almost seems as if all the other guides are in better sprits as well this time of year, It make sense though, no racing to fishing holes, no jet skis, just plenty of room for everyone. Well let's get down to fishing. The flats fishing has been quite well this past week and picking up even more from the week before. Lots of snook, and I mean lots. I had a few days where it was just plain ridiculous. We reeled them in all day almost as fast as we could reel them in and only move the boat a few hundred yards. I bet we caught 65 snook before one o'clock in the afternoon and that didn't include some nice slot size redfish, trout, and jacks. Last week was just full of memorable experiences. The other day we smoked the redfish and snook on the fly I had only one guy that day. After he caught all he wanted on live bait we switched over to the fly and they gobbled his little flies up almost as fast. Most of the snook are in the smaller 22 to 26 inch class, although we have been catching a few keepers. The larger ones will get better as the water cools coming into November. If you like lots of action, now is the time light tackle or fly tackle shines.

Redfishing has also been quite good, the larger ones are roaming schools keeping to themselves. Most of those fish are in the 26 to 34 inch class. The smaller ones are on the flats and mixed in with the snook and many other fish. Most of these guys are running in the 17 to 25 inch class. It's great when you are on these smaller guys because you never know what might me next. It might be a redfish or might be something else. Plus we have been getting some keepers out of the schools of smaller reds along with very fast action.

Trout are also looking good and there have been some areas I am fishing on the lower tides that have been holding some very nice trout. Of course you have to weed though some small ones, but a good percentage of them are nice eating size around 16 to 22 inches.

Well that sums up the flats fishing for me. Offshore fishing is close to really heating up, a few more days of some good cool weather and the kings should show up thick. It's probably a couple weeks away for them. It will be good when the temp goes down, kings in the 5 to 40 pound class, little tunny in the 8 to 16 pound class, Spanish mackerel, eating size grouper and snapper and who know what else all in one chum slick behind my boat. As for now the flats are where its at but great days offshore will be equivalent soon, at that point its just deciding which direction to take, stay on the flats for some explosive actions or head offshore for much of the same, though the fish are larger and meaner. Sometime we do both on my full day outings, either way you bet on a good time on the water at this time of year. I hope you enjoyed my report. Please feel free to call or drop me a line anytime if you are looking to get out fishing or need some info. Until next time good luck fishing.

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.