Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Hello! Time for another fishing report. Now things have changed a bit with cooling water temperatures. The days have been beautiful, although cool in the morning, but warming perfectly by 10:00 am, making for some very pleasant fishing weather. Nights have been cooling down a bit and that's what's keeping our water temperatures down. The water temp is ranging from about 59 in the morning to about 62 in the afternoon in some of the warmer water where I target my fish. When the water stays cool as of late, it congregates the fish. When you're on them, you're on lots of fish , but if you're off just a little bit from the majority of fish it can be really tough. It takes precise boat maneuvering to produce a lot of fish. This past week has been pretty good, we have managed quite a few redfish as well as a lot of nice trout, black drum, sheephead, bluefish and a few snook.

Most of the reds are in the 17 to 23 inch range. I have been catching most of them on live shrimp in a variety of places, most of the areas I have been targeting are deeper residential canals, although I have been catching a few on the flats. The trout have been very easy targets, most of the largest over 20 inches have been coming out of 21/2 to 4 ft of water. I have also been catching a number of keepers in 10 to 13 ft of water. It seems like salt and pepper bottom, between 4 and 7 ft have lots of trout. You can sit in one place all day and catch them but they seem to be running smaller at that depth. Black drum has really picked up well this week. It usually only target them this time of year, the cooling water temps are really just starting to produce a more consistent fishery. Most of the black drum we have been catching are keeper size with some ranging in the 12 to 13 pound class, a nice fight on 10-pound test line.

Large sheephead are doing good this winter. I've had a few days this week where it seems we couldn't stay away from those 3 to 5 pound sheephead.

Bluefish have been a fun battle here lately too, a lot have been the 2 to 4 pound fish and very easy to catch. Great for kids, they pull hard and bite readily.

I am still catching a few snook, although not like early winter. Most of the snook have been small, 20 to 24 inches but a great bonus along with all the other fish we have been catching. It's good that we finally got this cold weather, it seems to help the snook fishery in the spring. When that water finally creeps over 70 sometime in February or early March snook fishing explodes. It's as if they can't wait to get on the flats and start eating.

Well that's what I have going on for the time being, remember, spring's right around the corner. February and March are filling up fast so if you are looking for some days on the water at that time of the year best let me know soon. It can be some of the best snook fishing of the year. Also for you fly fisherman, remember February through March is some of the best times to take snook on the fly. The water is very clear, the fish are very shallow, and nearly all the fish you will actually see takes your fly. My tarpon season is filling up as well, if you would like to get a day for tarpon the peek period is May through July, now is the time to be planning those trips.

Well I hoped you enjoyed my report, have a great time on the water.

Capt. Matt

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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