Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

      Fall is in the air, I can feel it as I cruise across the flats early in the morning on my way to catch bait. Low humidity and a light early morning breeze out of the east is tell-tell signs that it is right around the corner. I can't wait, not that there is anything wrong with summer, it's just hard to beat the perfect mild temperatures of the fall.

Now for the reason why you are really here, how is the fishing? Most of my days are spent on the flats chasing snook and redfish. Redfish are right on track for a typical September/October pattern. We are catching keeper's everyday, along with over sized fish in the 28 to 34 inch class. They are great fighters, especially in the shallow water we are taking them in. I had a few days this past week where my guys actually gave up reeling them in. Having triple hook-ups of redfish that size for a couple hours straight can be quite tiring. We had a few days where we boated nearly 30 over sized reds, talk about tangled fishing lines. October should be equally as good for redfish.

As for snook fishing, we are still catching between 10 and 15 per day, not as many as we where catching earlier this month. No worries though, as soon as they move into their fall pattern it will pick up significantly, especially in size. October and November are traditionally great months for snook, both are great months for a real trophy snook over 20 pounds.

Trout fishing on the flats has picked up too, although we aren't targeting them much I have a few spots where we can make a quick stop for some nice keepers if you're in need of a few extra fillets.

Offshore fishing has been quite well for us lately. The last few tropical storms have blow in hoards of little tunny and Spanish mackerel. So many, I kid you not, on the best days we caught some on a bare hook. A few handfuls of chum over the side of the boat and the water literally came alive with fish. For you fisherman from up north the best way to describe it is like going to a trout farm and throwing a hand-full of fish pellets into the water. Most of the Spanish are good size, 20 to 24 inches with a few larger. All the little tunny are between 8 and 15 pounds. There are a few cobia out there, the only problem is getting a bait to them before a tunny or Spanish snags it. The offshore fishing is especially fun for my fly anglers, even a first time fly angler can catch fish offshore right now.

Well that's about it, October should be similar to this report other than the number and size of the snook will pick up and maybe the kings will start to show in fishable numbers.

Hope you have enjoyed my report, Good luck on the water and give a call if you are interested in a charter.

Capt. Matt Ercoli

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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