2024 Tampa Bay Sportfishing
We have had a great start to the year and the 2024 fishing outlook in Tampa Bay holds exciting prospects. As we approach spring, envision yourself targeting snook, redfish, cobia, kingfish and tripletail in these optimal fishing conditions. The warming waters and increased activity during this season set the stage for rewarding fishing experiences tailored to the preferences of the discerning angler.
As a seasoned guide, I have been curating Tampa Bay’s premier charter service for over fifteen years. This isn’t just about fishing; it’s about crafting unforgettable adventures that resonate with my friends and clients.
As summer draws closer, the thrills intensify with targets like tarpon, cobia, grouper, and snapper. Imagine the satisfaction of conquering these challenging species against the backdrop of Tampa’s beautiful estuaries and bay. My commitment to delivering top-tier charters caters to the preference of those seeking not just a fishing trip, but an immersive experience that aligns with a refined yet adventurous spirit. Join me, as we explore Tampa Bay’s diverse waters, forging memories that will last a lifetime! Remember to follow us at www.facebook.com/fishwithcaptainmatt for regular fishing reports!
Spring 2023
What a start we have had to our 2023 fishing season! We have been experiencing some phenomenal inshore fishing for snook, redfish, and trout. Tarpon, Cobia, Kingfish, Tripletail and the rest of our pelagic targets are about to be moving into our bay in full force. If you are looking for table fare our sheepshead fishing is about to be on fire as well. If the last few weeks are any indicator of how our upcoming spring season will unfold, its going to be a great one! Our brand new Sabalo 27 boat will be the perfect platform to fish the west coast of Florida Read More
Tampa Bay Fishing Outlook – April 2022
April and May is truly when our fishing shifts into high gear. Snook and redfish will continue to feed and beef up as they prepare to spawn. Tarpon, cobia, tripletail, grouper, and sharks are all beginning to invade Tampa Bay in mass to feed on the thousands of schools of baitfish that flood our bay through the summer. Much of our time over the next few months will be dedicated to tarpon and cobia, but June will also welcome the opening of gag grouper season and if last year was any indication there will be plenty of really big grouper in the frying pan this year. Our mangrove snapper fishing has really become world class over the last 4 or 5 years and fishing for them around the new and full moons will surely be incredible. Our 2022 calendar is filling up fast so now is the time to book your trip before its too late! I look forward to fishing with you and making some great memories! Captain Matt Santiago
Captain Matt Santiago
2021 is here and the fishing outlook is spectacular!
Thank the Lord 2021 is here and the fishing should be great as we enter the first few months of the new year. The next few months will hold some of the best inshore action of the year for snook, redfish, and trout. Tarpon will begin to move into the bay in preparation for the big migration and spawning. Kingfish will move into our region on their spring run and almost everything that we catch throughout the year could be an option on a spring fishing trip. We had some great success tournament fishing in 2020. We only fished 3 tournaments in 2020, but were blessed to come out on top and win 2 of 3. Spring is also a great time for team building and corporate fishing events and we have several packages available for groups from 2 to 200. Call us today to book your spring fishing trip today!
Captain Matt Santiago
Fall 2020 Fishing
Our fabulous fall fishing is here. The weather and fishing will be about as good as it gets the next few months. Now is the time to book your trip! Kingfish, tarpon, snook, redfish, grouper and cobia are all on the menu! This is also a great time of year for group, corporate and team building fishing events. Let us help you plan the best fishing event or tournament! www.facebook.com/fishwithcaptainmatt
The New Sabalo 27
As many of you know I switched boat brands after being with my old boat company for 12 years and tons of people have been asking me for a review of the new Sabalo 27. I resisted the urge right away as I felt it was important to really use the boat and get to know it before forming my opinion. You can’t judge a book by its cover, right? Well I have had the boat for about 5 months now and feel confident I know all I need to know about this boat and the company who builds it.
I decided about 2 years ago I was ready to make a move away from my current boat and had a long list of must haves for my next one. Here are some of my must haves when I was in the market for a new boat.
It needed to:
Run AND float in less than 12 inches of water.
Be roomy enough to fish 4 to 6 people comfortably.
Be very stable at rest and while running.
Run at least 50 mph on a single outboard and get 3 MPG at cruise.
Ride exceptionally well in the bay and run good enough to comfortably fish offshore in 2 to 3 ft. chop.
Be built solid to last a lifetime.
Have dual huge livewells with dedicated brass bottom pumps.
Have a completely self-bailing cockpit.
Have easy access to all electronics and pumps.
I wanted a company I could work with in the design and build process to have a boat set up to fish exactly the way I do. After narrowing it down to only 2 or 3 potential brands I decided on the Sabalo 27 built by Bonefish Boatworks.
I must say that I got all that and more in the Sabalo 27. It is a true fishing machine, with yacht quality fit and finish. It will run where most 22 ft. bay boats can’t go and will give you a comfortable ride when most other boats in its class have you calling your chiropractor the next day. I honestly could not be happier with the boat. It has exceeded many of my expectations and Ron Cook and the crew at Bonefish boats stand behind their product no questions asked. They utilize only the finest materials, vacuum infusion, bulletproof construction and assemble with the highest quality hardware in the industry. I have owned or fished extensively on every custom bay boat built on the west coast and many of the popular mass-produced boats in its class. The Sabalo 27 impresses me daily and I always look forward to being on it with confidence knowing it will always do what I need it to.
Bottom line is the Sabalo 27 is special and if you are in the market for a super versatile inshore fishing machine you need to take a very close look at the Sabalo 27. If you have questions about my boat, I would love to share my experiences with you and answer any questions you might have.
Captain Matt Santiago
Now is the time! Tarpon, big snook, cobia, sharks and so much more!
What a time of year we are entering! Now is the time to book your trip for tarpon, cobia, big snook, sharks and the list goes on. Tarpon are beginning to show in big numbers and the bite should be as good as it gets over the next 8 weeks! . Our Cobia migration has already started and we are seeing some really big fish in the 50 to 90 lb. range. There is not too many species we dont have the opportunity to fish for this time of year so let’s get out there for some epic fishing. You can also follow us for weekly updates at www.facebook.com/fishwithcaptainmatt
Be Safe! Captain Matt Santiago
Fishing Trip Outlook for Tampa Bay Fishing in Spring 2020
What a start to our 2020 fishing season! We have been experiencing some phenomenal inshore fishing for snook, redfish, and trout. There has also been a large number of cobia wintering in our bay this year which bodes well for our upcoming cobia season. Over the last few weeks we have had an incredible snook bite and have enjoyed catching some big jack crevalle and redfish. If you are looking for table fare our sheepshead fishing is about to be on fire as well. If the last few weeks are any indicator of how our upcoming spring season will unfold, its going to be a great one! Call us today at 813-205-2327 to book your spring fishing trip. 
“All Heroes Open” Fishing Tournament – 1st Place!!
Fishing has been great the last few weeks. Our tournament win streak continues as we took 1st Place in the “All Heroes Open” Fishing Tournament hosted by Team ADDO. Our team of Wade Boggs, Steve Yerrid and Bob McDonough fished hard and ended up on top! It was a great event and we look forward to defending our title next year!
Fall Fishing!
Fall is definitely in the air. The mornings are noticeably cooler and the fishing is improving every day. Fortunately for Tampa Bay the red tide that devastated much of Florida’s west coast never got to us. The fishing forecast for the next few months is nothing short of awesome. We are starting to see some of our best snook and redfish fishing as well as a steady tarpon bite for smaller residential tarpon. The kingfish are about to make their fall migration into our area as well. It is one of the few times of the year that you have a chance to catch virtually all species that call the west coast home! The bay is alive with bait and I for one am getting very excited about what the next few months has in store.
If you want to get in on the awesome action now is the time to book your fish catching adventure!
Here are just a few of our more memorable catches from the last two months.
Tight Lines!
Captain Matt Santiago
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