Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

Spring is in the air and water, with water temps creeping into the low 70’s shallow water flats fishing has exploded this past week.  Last week we had a tremendous time fishing with Lots of snook, big snook, and lots of redfish, big redfish and some darn nice trout mixed in.  We actually had one snook on and up to the boat, only a few inches from my hands, that would have been my largest ever in my career as a fishing guide.  The monster snook was whipped as we pulled it out from underneath a boat and two docks, it was a miracle we got him up to the boat and after all that just to have the line snap as the fish wallowed at the side of the boat.  My heart sank as it gave me a sick feeling in my stomach, it was only a few seconds before the line parted that I got a good look at him.  My heart instantly started racing and then as quick as the extreme excitement started it was over.  I was so close, literally inches from sliding my hand in his jaw and would have had him.  So close, those are the days I fish for and I would have loved to snap a picture of him, but it’s the challenge that I live for.  That was a once in a lifetime moment for me and could have been a pinnacle in my snook guiding career, but there other ones out there like Moby and some even larger, who knows what tomorrow may bring, next week or next year, it’s what keeps you coming back and it’s what makes my job one of the most exciting in the world.

           Now to the report, redfishing is very good, we are averaging 10 to 30 per day, almost all keepers or over sized.  They are really a lot of fun because I have been getting them in very shallow clear water and you can see it all happen, classic flats fishing.  The snook fishing is even better.  We have been getting lots of keeper and over sized fish, one day I bet we had 15 legal and over sized snook and that doesn't include all the shorts we had later in the day.  That’s about as many snook over 27 inches as my charter will ever get in a day.  As for just going out and catching a lot of snook I have some spots where 60 and 70 snook in a day will be no problem, now most of them are in the 22 to 26 inch class, but they are great fighters and in shallow clear water great for sight fishing, especially for you guys looking to take them on the fly. Last week I spent my mornings fishing for large snook, middle of the day on reds and following up with more smaller snook on the shallow flats.  I really wasn’t targeting numbers, but we still did have a couple days where we broke 50 or 60 between snook and redfish.    Trout fishing has also been good and almost all the trout I have been getting are nice, in the 17 to 22 inch class. I haven’t been targeting them but there are some real nice ones mixed in with some of the snook I have been fishing.

           Well that’s what I have going on now, this coming week should be very similar.  With April right around the corner flats fishing will be similar to this report; as well the offshore for kingfish, tunny, mackerel, and grouper will be equally as good. May marks the beginning of the massive tarpon migration. I am filling my schedule quickly so if tarpon is on your agenda this year let me know soon.  I hope ever one has a great week, until next time.

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

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