Fishing Report - Tampa Bay to Sarasota, Florida. Saltwater flats and backcountry fishing guide Capt. Matt Ercoli.

Well today marks the first day of spring. Kind of funny but down here in Florida it felt like the first day of spring was over a month ago. Won’t be to long before it feels like summer, we’ve had some 80 degree days this week, but then again I think we had some 80 degree days around Christmas too. It never felt like winter around here, just spring and summer. Well now that the flats water temps are holding above 70, even at night, and climbing above 75 in the afternoon, things have really started cranking up around these parts. There are lots of snook around, 40 or 50 per day. We had some 30 redfish days with a lot of snook mixed in, 20 or more anyway. All the reds are keeper size, averaging 20 to 25 inches. The largest reds have been up to 34 inches. Some of the snook have been larger with a few from over 30 inches no monsters. Mainly because I have been targeting areas with lots of fish we get plenty of action on top of some nice keeper redfish. The trout fishing has also been very good, which is nice to see. I haven’t caught this many nice trout in several years. Mostly the trout have been running 16 to 20 inches, perfect keeper size. Most of my flats fishing are in very shallow water this time of year, barely deep enough to float the boat at times. Makes for some great sight fishing weather you prefer light tackle for fly. Nothing like watching a snook, in a foot of super clear water, chase a fly almost to your feet before he jumps on it.

As for offshore, I haven’t done too much lately because flats fishing is too good. But the kingfish should show thick soon and you can bet I will be out there taking advantage of it. There is nothing like sitting over a ledge or wreck chumming with live bait for kings. Much of the time you can sit in one place and catch, kingfish, mackerel, tunny, Dorado, gag grouper, snapper, sharks and massive goliath grouper. It’s awesome when you really have them chummed up, sometimes it’s as fast as you can drop your bait in the water. Also for those of you who are fly purist, don’t be afraid of the deep blue, we can get those big kings and tunny so chummed up you can even use a float line and watch them hit the fly as you strip it in fast as you can. April offshore in these parts can be unbelievable.

Now as for tarpon, I have yet to see very much action on them but I do think they will heat up very soon, now that the water is warming. They are out there now but are more consistent though out the day when the water warms a bit. I still have some days available, May through July, for the peek tarpon migration if anyone is interested.

Well I hope you have enjoyed the report. I have to get up early in the morning and chase some snook and redfish, so I’m going to end on that note and go to bed.

Matt, I tell you what...On a day when every boat in Tampa was on the beach spooking fish, we were still able to create quite a crowd of enthralled weekend warriors with the leaps of an illusive silver king! This was our second trip with Captain Matt and just as he put us onto some of the best snook holes in the Bay, our hunt was successful in finding our target fish once again. The tarpon were more leader shy than they were at the beginning of the summer but with Matt's pin point accuracy and knowledge, we were still able to get our bites out there! I have been a saltwater fisherman for 19 years and every time I go out with Matt, I am able to learn something new that improves my overall fishing performance, and increases my love for the sport. This was the first acceptable full-size tarpon I have ever landed and just three days following our trip, I landed my second good tarpon, a 70 pounder, over on my coast! Matt, your professionalism and character have shown to be top notch. We will continue to be strictly your clients, just as the many other true saltwater anglers that use your service. Here are pictures of the great fish that we landed and a picture of the one that I caught by the residual good luck that everyone gets when they step foot out on your Sheaffer. Thanks again for the memories, our summer was great and I hope your video of the jumps turned out well!

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.

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!!!

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.