Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

      Wow! would best describe the fishing right now. Pretty much I would have to say that it doesn't get much better than this. It seems everything is biting and biting well. The flats fishing for snook couldn't be any better. This past week has been great and it seems that every stop I make on the flats we are catching snook. Literally as fast as you can real them in, most are in the 23 to 25 inch range. We have also been taking a few keepers each day over the 26 inch mark. We had some days where we broke the 50 snook mark recently. That's not the only thing biting on the flats though, the redfishing is almost equally as good. We have been catching keepers everyday mixed in with our snook. I have also located a massive school of bull reds. When you're in them the bite is fast for fish in the 27 to 34 inch range. Some of the schools seem to have fish in the 40 plus inch range running with them but the smaller fish seem to make it to the bait faster. If you like to flats fish now the time to be out there, boat traffic is very light and the fishing and weather couldn't be any better.

Now for the offshore side of things. The action on our near shore reefs is equally as fast. The kingfish are out there in full force, as well as the little tunny, cobia and Spanish mackerel, a fly fisherman or light tackle fishermens dream. We have had days out there this past month where I had to catch my breath trying to keep all my fisherman rigged at one time. Drags screaming fish flopping around the boat, in the boat, scales, fish slim and blood everywhere; literal we where catching fish too fast. Most of the kings are running in the 10 to 15 pound class with a few toppling 30 pounds. The cobia have all pretty much been in the 20 to 40-pound class. Spanish mackerel are running large, most are 4 or 5 pounds and the little tunny are thick as thieves, most running in the 8 to 12 pound class with a few larger ones mixed in. If you like to hear a screaming drag now is the time to head offshore. The weather has been very stable making for many days with a minimal chop.

I would like to congratulate Craig Cain for the fly rod feat he pulled off on a recent outing with me. In one day he caught little tunny, Spanish mackerel, snook, redfish, trout, ladyfish, his largest fish a 20 pound cobia and yes even a stinking catfish, the only thing missing from his check list was a kingfish. One fish that pulled the hook with three nice jumps was a 30 inch snook! On live bait a day like that is a dime a dozen, but for a fly rod fisherman to catch that many different fish and fish of quality all in one day is quite a feat. Good job Craig.

Well that's all I have for now, but I will try to keep you posted. Hope you have enjoyed my report, the fishing is great, if you're interested give me a call. If you are heading out on your own good luck and have fun!

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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