A Weekend Away
So what do I and many other fishermen do when we have some time off…..Go fishing of course!
Fishing and diving in the Bahamas as a child was always the source of my fondest memories, and ever since I venture off Florida’s east coast to my favorite place in the world as often as possible. The Abaco’s are by far my favorite islands in the Bahamas, and I get there as much as possible. Read More
The Inshore Grand Slam
Although variations of this fishing challenge exist throughout the world and our state, The Tampa Bay Grand Slam consists of catching a Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Trout all in the same day. It has been one of my favorite challenges for myself and my clients throughout the years and May is quite possibly the best month of the year to get yours.
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The Brown Bomber Invasion
April starts the beginning of Tampa Bay’s Cobia Migration and while many cobia call Tampa Bay home year round its April through July that herds of migratory cobia invade the bay to feed and breed. Cobia are great fighters, great table fare and are one of our most reliable sight fishing targets throughout late spring and summer. I believe there are a few different “migration” patterns for the cobia we catch every year in Tampa Bay. Read More
Lovin’ the Live Bait
We west coasters are so blessed to have live baits available to us throughout the year. I have fished all over the United States, most of the Caribbean, and some of central America and one thing I have learned is how fortunate we are to have live bait available to us year round. I consider the west coast of Florida a true bait mecca. With more than a dozen highly productive bait species available virtually year round, we are living in a live bait fisherman’s paradise. Read More
A Bridge To Success
Bridges are some of the best fish habitats worldwide. Like an oil rig attracts fish offshore, similarly bridges attract everything from baitfish and crustaceans to apex predators. Tampa Bay is home to four of Florida’s largest bridges including the state’s second largest, the Sunshine Skyway. Along with the 4 major bridges that span Tampa Bay are numerous smaller bridges that connect residential areas. Bridges are favorite hangout spots for fish for a multitude of reasons. Read More
Tarpon Tune Up Tampa Bay
April will mark the beginning of our tarpon season. Consistent reports of poon sightings and hookups start to spread quickly, and everyone starts to feel symptoms of tarpon fever. You know tarpon fever is spreading when tackle shops start to run out of heavier Fluorocarbon leader, bigger circle hooks are disappearing of the racks, and guys are flooding in one after another with big dusty spinning reels to get them reloaded with heavier braid. Read More
Wintertime Fishing off the Flats – Fishing Guide Ruskin
As water temps drop, moving off the flats may be all you need to do to keep your rods bent all day.It’s no secret that the fish that roam Tampa Bay’s flats don’t like cold water. Lower water temps mean fish are more lethargic, eat less, and move less. Water temperatures on the clean shallow flats of Tampa Bay fluctuate a lot throughout the day. As the sun sets water temps in shallow water can drop drastically and take several hours of sunlight to start warming back up. Conversely, water temperatures in deeper water stay much more constant. Read More
Flounder Fishing Charter Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay’s flounder fishery has been dramatically improving over the past few years. Fortunately for those of us that like to catch and eat these tasty flat fish, flounder populations are strong enough to exclusively target them during the cooler months of the year.
Two species of flounder call Tampa Bay home. The Gulf flounder is the most common and can be identified by three distinct dark spots on its back. The southern flounder is less common and usually covered in spots. Read More
Hot Summertime Action – Tampa Fishing Charters with Captain Matt Santiago
The weather is not the only thing that is hot right now. The summer heat is here but with it comes some of the best fishing action of the year. Fishing the flats and mangrove shorelines for snook, redfish, and trout is still consistent, but the best action has been for tarpon, cobia, sharks, snapper, and grouper.
Fishing for big snook has been really good, especially early in the mornings before the sun starts to heat things up too much. Read More
Tarpon Season 2014 is upon us!
TARPON SEASON IS HERE!!!Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay is perhaps the most exciting light tackle fishing the world has to offer in one of the worlds most productive tarpon fisheries. This season is sure to be a great one and I still have a few good tarpon days available for May and June.
Ever since I was very young and caught my first tarpon I have been addicted to chasing and catching these amazing fish. Read More