Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Coming up on the end of the month and time for a new fishing report. I have to say the weather couldn't be nicer. We have been so fortunate here on Anna Maria that none of the four hurricanes have caused us any problems here this year, and that everything is going along as usual. My girl friend and I went out to eat a couple of evenings ago and that was the first time in months I have been to a restaurant and chosen to eat outside rather than in the protection of the indoor air-conditioning. It has really been quite pleasant outside, even the mid-day heat is much less penetrating. October is right around the corner and time to start cooling down. I always tell people who ask when my favorite time of year to fish is that October wins hands down. The weather is nice, the fishing is great and there are fewer boaters on the water this time of year. There are few northerners down at this time of year and the locals are all out hunting. Sometimes, especially during the week, it leaves you with the feeling that you have all the water to yourself.

So what are we catching now? The snook bite on the flats has been quite good, some of our better days we have been catching as many as 40 per day, most in the 22 to 26 inch class with a few larger ones up to 35 inches. As the water cools we should do even better on t larger fish.

Redfishing has been very hot with catches exceeding 20 per day in the 22 to 32 inch class. The majority of the reds we are catching are in the keeper size slot limit. They are my personal favorite fish to eat.

Along with redfish and snook we are also catching some trout mixed in with them, the largest around 22 inches. As the water cools down we will continue to catch more of them, they set-up in the same areas as the snook and redfish. One thing that's nice about October is it's much like April, but even more so, you can sit in one spot and catch a good number of all three species.

Well that pretty much sums up the flats. Now for our offshore action. I personally have not been fishing offshore much lately because of the excellent flat fishing. When the gulf water cools into the high 70's the kings will show up and that makes for some exciting fishing. Most will be in the 8 to 30 pound class, but we have caught them over 40 at times. It's also great because little tunny in the 10 to 15 pound class mix in with them. Sometimes the Spanish mackerel are so thick you can almost walk on them. The grouper and snapper will also be available for some good eating. If you really want something that can pull, we can drop one of those Spanish mackerel or little tunny down to the bottom for a goliath grouper in the 200 to 500 pound class. We use 200 pound stand up tuna tackle and I mean it's all you can do to hold onto the rod. For you northerners, imagine a small mouth bass that weights 300 pounds, that's about what you're doing battle with. They are such a fun way to end a day and I love seeing ones expression when they pull up one of these sea monsters. Well as for a few 4 to 6 ft. black tip sharks mixed in and occasional cobia with maybe a few full grown tarpon, that pretty much sums up what we have going on.

If you are looking to try and get out I still have a few days left in October. Let me know and good luck on the water.

Capt. Matt

  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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