Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

       Well the heat has certainly turned on. This past week fishing seems to have gotten progressively better, since that tremendous amount of rain we had three weeks ago which put a lull in our fishing. The past couple of weeks I've spent most of my time catching redfish and snook on the flats. Most of the snook are in the 22 to 32 inch range. Redfishing is coming on strong and should only get better from here until late October. I have been catching nice keeper redfish on nearly every trip in the 22 to 26 inch class. The better days we are catching as many as 20 per trip.

Tarpon fishing is winding down, although we still have some fish on the beach.

Offshore fishing has been decent for mackerel and goliath grouper. We are also catching a few little-tunny, cobia and permit on our offshore outings.

I'm looking for August to be a stronger month than the last, particularly because it seems that the bait has spawned already and the redfish are showing in really strong numbers, a little earlier than usual.

I do have some availability in the month of August if you are interested in some of the best flats fishing of the year for redfish. The little tunny should be showing strong shortly for you offshore fly fisherman as well. I hope you have enjoyed the report, Good-luck fishing!

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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